China Blue and the Great Move

Cormoran fisherman
Matty Karp (Haifa, Israel)
Photographed April 2007, Yangshu, China



















A great migration
Romeo Starcevic (Vinkovci, Croatia)
Photographed January 2009, Kenya






These are two of my favorite photographs from the Smithsonian Magazine's 7th Annual Photo Contest. In Cormoran fisherman the silhouettes in the mist look like a stage backdrop. More dramatic effects with silhouettes are seen in A great migration. You can enlarge the pictures by clicking on them.



You can see many beautiful photographs by the winners and finalists by visiting Smithsonian.com .

Boo Boos of Distinction

American fashion designer, Cynthia Rowley, has introduced a new line.
No, not talking about her dresses,

























her jackets,

























nor her shoes,


















but her sparkly, sequined, and fancy printed bandages, yes, Band-aids.

























These designer strips come in a black or blue specially marketed tin.






















These are a limited edition and are sold for $10.00 in Cynthia Rowley stores, on her website, and in the Cooper-Hewitt Museum Shop. One dollar from the sale of each tin will go to Design Ignites Change, an organization that engages high school and college students in design and architecture projects that address social issues in their own communities; however all proceeds generated in the museum's shop will be used to help support the Museum's mission.

These glamorous designs are by Cynthia Crowley and she definitely deserves her kudos.
Ladies will be wearing these with or without nicks.

In the midst of all this let us not forget other adhesive strips.






























Moms have been purchasing various colored and fun designed bandages for many years.
What well intentioned, and self respecting mom has not forgotten to restock the medicine cabinet with adult strips? So, for a long time, before a designer put a signature on a band aid, moms have donned what they had on hand, and wore it proudly.
Moms there may be no runway but please stand and take your bow.

September ATC Swap

"Leaves" is the theme of the Blissful ATC swap for September. In my neck of the woods the leaves, for the most part, have not changed but there are other signs of fall occurring. The shade of green in the leaves has a little more yellow, hickory nuts and acorns are rolling down the drive way, some days are a little cooler, and the squirrels seem to be busy rather than just chasing each other up and down the trees and scurrying across the top of our house.

Let me show you what my September swap partner, Francie, of The Scented Cottage sent me.

Instead of an envelope, a package came in the mail. At first I thought, "Francie certainly wraps her card with layers and layers of protection," but to my surprise there was this adorable, printed bag.
























In the bag I found a package of potpourri. Our house will soon be smelling with the scent of holidays.
























Then I pulled out this ATC, and there was a busy squirrel; two actually - one painted and the other a charm.
























Not through. Turning the card over expecting to see just her name, I saw that Francie had painted the squirel exuberant with the fruits of his labor.
























Now I want to find a frame on a stand that I can turn and show both sides of this hand painted, mini art piece. This will be a perfect decorative item for the season.
Francie, this card is precious, and the gift, unexpected, thank you.



If you think you might be interested in swapping little art cards, this is a great group of gals to join. There are few rules - mostly your imagination, and you participate when you want to. You can find out more by clicking here.

On Stage: Bach and Jethro Tull

The bourree is a ballet step, a dance of French origin, and also a type of musical beat.

Johann Mattheson (1681-1764), a German composer, writer, lexicographer, diplomat and music theorist, wrote of the bourrée, "its distinguishing feature resides in contentment and a pleasant demeanor, at the same time it is somewhat carefree and relaxed, a little indolent and easygoing, though not disagreeable."


This selection is the Bourree from J.S. Bach's Cello Suite No. 3, arranged by Ian Anderson.

Ian Anderson, the flute and voice behind the legendary Jethro Tull, celebrates his 42nd year as a recording and performing musician.

Ian was born in 1947 in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. After attending primary school in Edinburgh, his family relocated to Blackpool in the north of England in 1959. Following a traditional Grammar school education, he moved on to Art college to study fine art before deciding on an attempt at a musical career.

Tull formed in 1968 out of the amalgamation of the John Evan Band and McGregor's Engine, two blues-based local UK groups.

Jethro Tull and their fans have supported many worthy causes predominately within the realms of wild cat research and conservation, disaster relief, education, and historical preservation.
For more Tull details you may visit their website http://www.jethrotull.com/


Without further ado, you may tap your feet while I hope you enjoy Jethro Tull's rendition of J.S. Bach's Bourree.

Martin Barre (guitar); Ian Anderson (flute); Andy Giddings (keyboards); Jonathan Noyce (bass guitar); Doane Perry (drums).







credits:
http://www.jethrotull.com
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Mattheson-Johann.htm
wikipedia

Hard Alee

Our small niche in this big country had perfect weather a couple of weekends ago.
My daughter was home from grad school for a few days, and one of the things that she wanted to do was to go sailing. Though this is one of our family's favorite activities, it was impossible for me to go on this particular outing, but I enjoyed it vicariously nonetheless.

Happily off to the lake they went with sun screen and a picnic basket in hand. Arriving at the ramp they saw a few boats on the lake, and several still at the docks. Because many people like to come up later on holidays for moonlight cruises, it meant less boats on the lake which = fewer boats to watch out for.



















Down the ramp to the boat they went and prepared to cast off.



















Sails aloft and they were on their way.



















Among the boats on the lake were small sail boats,



















house boats (Many years ago I spent a couple of nights on a house boat. What fun - the water was literally at your feet. We cooked on the decked and cruised around under the stars at night.),


















catamarans (This type of sail boat has a double hull. When there is much wind you help keep the boat flatter on the water by standing (hiking out) on the side that is up out of the water. You wear a harness and you feel as though you are flying - if the water is not too choppy. If it is, the shade of band aids is your preference.),




















and long, sleek sail boats.
























Due to such a short visit, my daughter was allowed to be at the helm as much as she wanted.
























She has been sailing since she was a wee babe, and she still finds it necessary for these?




















Her brother helped her look out for other boats,



















and Dad just sat back and relaxed. Sometimes it is nice when the kids can take over.
Actually, I think he always has an eye on what is going on.




















Well, our young lass still had homework to tackle so it was time to sail back to the dock, take the sails down, and say goodbye to our boat.




















I hope you had a nice weekend, and found a place to sit, relax and enjoy life.

9 11

Little Surprises

A surprise came my way this weekend in the form of an invitation from Talei Loto of Musings of an Aspiring Scribe. She told me to don my gala attire and rush over to her blog. Well it sounded like a party to me, so I quickly changed (though my curls were not quite set) and rushed over. Talei had received a "Creative Writer" blogger award, and she was having a celebration. On acceptance of this award, Talei had to give us seven facts about herself - correction - Talei was to give us 1 fact about herself and 6 falsehoods, and we were to guess which one was the truth.

At the end of the party she gave out party favors, and four blogs received like awards from Talei. Elbows On My Window Sill was one of the recipients so I happily brought home this button.




Now that I am back home and am having my own celebratory, back yard hot dog roast, I want to pass four "Creative Writer" blogger awards out before they get mustard on them:

These awards are given to you for the creativity in the writing of your blogs. I do regret that I am allowed to give out only four.

A Tale of Two Cities
5 Minutes Just For Me
Pretty Far West
Rococo and Caffeine


These are participatory awards and if you accept this award you are to pass the same to four blogs of your choice, and present your lists of lies and truths about yourself for all readers to guess the one fact if they so choose.

My list:

1. Spent the night in the dressing room of a department store. I was tired and fell asleep.

2. Ferrying across choppy waters to Victoria Island, I not only lost my cookies, but my shoes too.

3. At my high school prom five of us were wearing identical bright blue dresses.

4. Last week I found a past due library book on my bookshelf. Due over a year ago.

5. Timed baby turtles as they swam toward the light.

6. Dropped in at a party and found I had the wrong address.

7. After arriving at work my fellow colleagues informed me I was wearing two different colored shoes.

I will post the truth at the end of my next post.

This award is for fun and if you choose not to accept it is not necessary to reply.