Thursday, January 9, 2020

Catching up

Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third.
~Marge Piercy


Hi folks! I tried to work ahead for the holidays but I didn't quite do it far ahead enough and I ended up kind of like this:


(In this scenario, though, I guess I am also the dad, picking myself up? Sometimes life is like that.)

So I didn't have anything for Wellness Wednesday. Belatedly, here are Lucy and Preston, resting companionably while each does their own thing. Lucy has her face wrapped up in a blanket because that's how she rolls. Acceptance and individuality...reasonable goals, right?


there really are two dogs in this photo

I didn't have anything for Art Thursday either, so here's a shot of Frida Kahlo-themed decorations for my older daughter's birthday this week. You can't really see the plates or napkins since I obviously didn't plan this out.


We had Frida facts on the walls. I was very impressed by the way Frida/her family rigged up her bed so she could paint from there. (Have you heard about Frida's health problems?) I guess I could have used it for Wellness Wednesday, too.

For Poetry Friday, I have gifts from poet friends. First up, an adorable tea poem and tea pocket from clever Irene:

Cinnamon tea steams
open November morning ~
words spice waiting page


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Christie sent me a delightful and thoughtful poem swap package that included two poems, one of which was an ovillejo!


morning magic
lingers on the breeze
bringing secret poetry
to those who listen
with their soul

Christie says: This ovillejo was inspired by my neighbor's cats who constantly stalk my beloved backyard birds!


Have You Seen...

Have you seen black-capped chickadee?
    In the tree.
Have you seen northern cardinal red?
    Near the shed.
Have you seen bluejay loud and bold?
    On leaves of gold.

Let's hatch our plan, no time to waste.
    The hour is now, so we must haste.
It's time to pounce. We must be bold.
    In a tree, near shed, on leaves of gold!

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Not a poem, but I got a big kick out of this crocheted barrette from dear Kat:



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I also loved receiving Michelle Kogan's Cloister Remnants and wee bunny.

While I was typing this, a calendar of photos and poems by Jone Rush MacCulloch arrived! Thanks, Jone!

Still reading? Aren't you the best! My parents are in a virtual art exhibition. You might recognize one of my dad's pieces from this post.

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Sally Murphy has the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Sally!

20 comments:

Sally Murphy said...

What a grab-bag of treats you have shared today, Tabatha!

Linda Mitchell said...

Tabatha....I'm betting you didn't plan this entry to make me giggle. But, here I am giggling. I think the title should be, 'Life Happened.' Oh, my. What richness in the little treasures and captures of moments along the way. I didn't even KNOW I could have ever had a Frida Khalo Birthday Party! My life has changed. Be well, my friend. Your post is a handful of jewels. LOVE!

mbhmaine said...

I love the plethora of goodies you've assembled today! Such fun to ramble through them all!

Linda B said...

Oh my, your 'catching up' is filled with goodies, Tabatha. The birthday celebration via Frida looks fun. Her art is coming to Denver this fall! I love all your gifts, good winter cheer! Happy New Year!

Ruth said...

Thanks for sharing your catching up with us! So many riches!

JoAnn Early Macken said...

Oh, that baby! Yes, we must pick ourselves up from time to time. I know the feeling!

Irene Latham said...

Dear Tab, I seem to recall years ago giving you an Eclectic Blogger Award. This post reminds me of all the reasons why! I love the many hallways and chambers in your heart and how you share them here. Frida Kahlo's bed appears in the (beautiful) movie FRIDA (Salma Hayek playing Frida). I find Frida so so courageous and inspiring... nothing was going to stop her from creating her art... not health, not Diego. :) Thank you for sharing these beauties, esp. the blanket covered Lucy to whom I can quite relate. :) :) :) xo

Carol Varsalona said...

Tabatha, starting with a quote: "Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third."
~Marge Piercy makes me understand how you intertwined so many interesting pieces to write about. Your poetic gifts are filled with ways to stop, pause, and see life from a different angle; dogs together and one hiding to Christie's beautiful first poem. Thanks for sharing.

Kay said...

I am glad you caught up all in one post--it is filled to the brim with goodies. The Frida Kahlo birthday party--I wish I had known such things could be done. It's not too late is it?

Karen Eastlund said...

Thanks for all the sweetness in this post... the baby made me laugh so I watched it over and over... the tea poem warms my heart, the Frida Kahlo party spawned many new ideas! Hooray for you, all caught up!

Margaret Simon said...

So much delight here. From the baby to the barrette. I crochet and would love to do a hairclip like that. You have many friends who generously share their talents.

michelle kogan said...

Your week sounds a bit like mine… Thanks for the fun video, such spirit in that young child. You shared so many goodies here, a special tea bag, and a new to me poem form by Christie, ovillejo–love the rhythm in the poem. The Frida party sure looks like it was fun–thanks also for linking to your gift from me!

Tara said...

So much to enjoy here - but a Frida themed birthday takes the cake :).

Kimberly Hutmacher said...

That video is the best, and it perfectly describes how I feel post-holiday celebrations. Love the Frida themed birthday idea! You received such lovely poetry gifts. Thank you for sharing.

Heidi Mordhorst said...

"Oh, lovely, lovely, lovely!" as Kaspar sings in AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS. I am very inspired by that ovillejo, and also by a Frida-themed birthday party for a GROWNUP. I'm going to have a themed party this year too!!!

Christie Wyman said...

I'm loving reading your little bits of randomness on a dreary Sunday morning. Bringing a smile to my face. I'm with Linda. The video had me giggling out loud. Have a happy week, friend! -- Christie

Robyn Hood Black said...

Of COURSE we're all still reading, because YOU are the best! What a rich, full, frolicking post. Yay for the virtual art show, too - apples not fall falling from trees and all. XO

Becky Herzog said...

Thank you for sharing all these wonderful bits! And I often feel like the toddler in the video! I love how the dad patiently lifts him up and the boy just keeps going. Life can really be like that.

Ramona said...

Loved watching that determined little guy try, try, and try again. We supposed to get snow this next week. Grandson already has some at his house and just called to tell me he went out to leave footprints in the snow. I love Christie's morning magic poem and the barrette from Kat is so whimsical. A perfect post!

KatApel - katswhiskers.wordpress.com said...

Oh, this post is a perfect snapshot of you, Tabatha. Loved seeing that familiar place decked up in birthday colour and joy. And those little faces. (Or one face - and a blanket!) The montage of moments that unfolded is just beautiful to see! (Loving both of Christie's poems. They are delightful!!) Thank-you for sharing.

PS Margaret - I don't crochet! So if I can make this barrette (which we would call a hair clip in Australia🙃) you can!