Waterworks

March 9, 2010 in Being, Feeling by Colleen | 1 comment

My blogger friend Lori asked me what I thought of the Oscars.  The answer, as seen in in this slightly outdated photo of me: friends, I cried.

First, I cried at all the excitement and hope of the people in attendance, the fans waiting for a glimpse of a star.  Then of course, it was the dresses, the beautifully draped fabrics, shimmering, violet, blue, red, and gold.  Then it was the winners (none of them disappointments, for once) and their heartfelt speeches.  I kept exclaiming, aloud to myself, “That’s so nice!” and “How sweet!”  Then it was the fact that a woman won best director for the first time in history yet did not make it about that but rather the film and the infinitely brave people who place themselves in harm’s way every single day, at home and abroad.  There was no shortage of tears.  Thank goodness I was alone, for a guest might not have known what to do with Little Miss Waterworks.  Heck, I’m a little weepy as I type this, in memory, and the fact that the sound track to Out of Africa is playing in the background, and that, like so much music, always gets to me.

In all honesty, I cry a lot, for all manner of reasons:  joy, kindness, love, cruelty, injustice, fear, longing, and, sometimes, I honestly couldn’t tell you why.  The tears just come.  I used to be embarrassed by this fact, which was made worse by someone exclaiming, and not in a friendly way, “You cry at the drop of a hat!”  But in his infinite love and understanding, and my great privilege, the hubster told me it was such a gift, to feel so openly and honestly.  I just can’t help myself, nor do I want to.

I am waking up, realizing this isn’t very specific to the actual Oscars, besides the crying, so a list:

* I liked the Neil Patrick Harris opener, but not because I like numbers like this, I just like him.  He’s got gusto and makes me laugh.

* Alec and Steve were a little off in the opening but came into their own.  I especially liked their hotel room scene.

* I really liked the dancing to the music of the best original score nominees.

* I liked the tribute to John Hughes, felt a little confused by the horror tribute (Jaws is horror?), and very sad when I remembered everyone who died, especially Brittany Murphy.

*As I stated earlier, for the first time I can remember, I wasn’t disappointed by any of the winners, so that was nice.

Such a Good Feeling

March 8, 2010 in Admiring, Remembering by Colleen | 2 comments

Hello Neighbors.

Ahh, Fred Rogers.  I once won a scoop of ice cream for knowing his first name.  I think I chose cinnamon.  Another time, at the same scoop shop, I knew that “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first song played on MTV.  See Darin, trivia can serve a very special purpose, beyond board games.  Though, of course,  the name of the ice cream shop escapes me.  It was on 15th and Market in Denver.  Anyone else remember?  Anyone?  Bueller?

Anyway, my fondness for the man goes beyond the fact that he helped me score delicious ice cream.  I wish I could pinpoint exactly what it is about him.  His sweaters were pretty terrific, all knitted by his mother, by the way.  One is even hanging in the Smithsonian.  I made a special trip to see it when I was there and was surprised by it’s size.  It’s funny, most people I have heard are surprised by how petite famous people are in person (We saw Kelly Ripa in New York, and she was tiny), but I had the opposite reaction.  For such a soft spoken man, his sweater seemed huge.  Which, I suppose, is appropriate, considering the impact he’s had on the lives of so many, including me.

Perhaps, it is the fact that he truly believed in children, and adults, too.  He loved people, kindness, music, and the joy of discovery (did you ever see him tour a factory?).  He was never embarrassed either, willingly admitting when he didn’t know or understand something.  A model citizen in blue sneakers.

Kinamand, the Oscars, and an Anniversary

March 5, 2010 in Celebrating, Spotlighting, Watching by Colleen | 3 comments

Here’s another hodgepodge post for you, starting with a terrific Danish film, Kinamand.  It follows Keld, a man who can best be described as being in a rut.  He’s a plumber who doesn’t show up for appointments and a man who doesn’t show up for his marriage.  Frustrated by his apathy, his wife leaves him, which leaves Keld to dine at the Chinese restaurant across the street every day.  As he makes his way through the menu, he forges a friendship with the owner, Feng.  After a pipe bursts and Keld completes the necessary repairs, Feng takes him into his confidence and asks Keld if he would consider taking money to marry his sister (very pro-forma) so she can stay in the country.  Initially, Keld refuses, but when his wife asks for a financial settlement under the terms of their divorce, he sees this as an easy solution to his problem.  The two marry and move in together to keep up appearances.  What starts as tense and very pro-forma develops into a tender relationship between a very oddly matched pair, with a few surprises along the way.  Subtle and beautiful.

I am also very jazzed about the Oscars this weekend – the admiring of the dresses on the red carpet, the speeches, and the hosts.  I think Alec and Steve (written like I am intimate with them, oh, my friends Alec and Steve!) will be a fine combination, so I am guaranteed to be sitting in front of the television for many hours Sunday afternoon and evening.  I’ve even got a ballot printed and ready to take notes.  Do you?

As well, Sunday is the second anniversary of Under a Red Roof.  Two years, fancy that!  Maybe we’ll have a little cocktail while watching the Oscars to celebrate.  Thanks for reading!

Great

March 4, 2010 in Quoting by Colleen | No comments

You already possess everything necessary to become great.

Crow Proverb

Feelin’ Goofy

March 3, 2010 in Cooking and Baking, Eating, Gardening by Colleen | 1 comment

It’s a funny morning I’m having.  I am sleepy and half of my mouth is numb, as I am just home from the dentist after having a filling replaced.  It was tiny, and fell out sometime over the past six months since my last cleaning, which is kind of weird to think about.  Was it one of those times that felt like I had dirt in my salad or sand in my scallops?  Maybe.  Anyhoo, Dr. Dewey did me up (for free) with a bright pink topical numbing agent that reminded me of Raspberry Razzles.  I was rather fond of Razzles, part sweet-tart, part gum, all goodness for about five minutes.  Am I the only person around that likes to chew gum for five minutes?  Seriously, any longer and it just isn’t a pleasant experience.

The Razzle talk has me thinking about Thirteen Going on Thirty, with Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo (I like him a lot), a film in which many Razzles are consumed.  I’ve seen it about five times, mostly on random afternoons of couch potato-ing.  It’s fun, silly, and cute except for the mean girl who played the woman with the wonky boobs on Arrested Development.  I’d definitely watch it again.

So the picture above is of our compost.  Well, the bits ready for the heap, at least.  I couldn’t believe how pretty it looked – purple kale stems and Meyer lemon halves are quite lovely.  I read somewhere that about 30% of the garbage put in landfills is food waste like this.  Why aren’t more people composting?  Is it a concern over the smell, because it doesn’t really, unless you put animal protein in it.  If you’re worried about it, keep it far from the house, but, seriously, someone farting is a lot worse than the smell of compost, and according to Dr. Oz, it’s happening inside the house six to twenty-four times a day, per person.  Think about that for a minute.  Besides, composting is also super simple and requires no fancy equipment.  We’ve got a giant bin into which we are constantly putting vegetable waste, leaves, and grass clippings.  We rarely stir it and have amazing compost.  It really couldn’t be easier.

Finally, when in doubt, roast.  I bought a head of cabbage the other day and decided I would roast it rather than the usual braise.  Holy smokes people, this makes awesome cabbage!  I cut each half into four wedges, drizzled them with olive oil, sprinkled with salt, and baked for 25 minutes at 400 degrees.  The outer layer was a little crispy, and the inner leaves were creamy – so delicious.

Oh yes, before I forget.  Thank you so very much for your kind words about both the watercolor painting and my new job (which is going quite well).  You are the best!

Bucket of Goodness

March 1, 2010 in Learning by Colleen | 3 comments

Meet my new favorite moisturizer.  Yes, I’m serious!

I have come to believe, no matter how crazy I may seem in saying so, that simple and natural are best.  I am no longer swayed by promises or pretty packaging (nothing like a gallon bucket to prove that point!) but rather common sense.  Does it make sense to slather my body in heaven knows what kind of chemicals to keep my skin from aging?  With coconut oil, I don’t have to wonder.  This bucket of goodness contains exactly one ingredient, grown organically to protect not only the earth, but the farmers and their families bringing it to me.  There are absolutely no surprises like strange colors, potentially harmful preservatives, or perfumes, save the one Mother Nature provided.  So, if I accidentally get some in my mouth, I’m not left with some awful taste or an upset tummy.  What’s more, I can literally eat it (and do – it’s delicious and good for you!).  I wouldn’t dare do that with any conventional lotion, no way, no how.  Which is kind of crazy, really.

The best part is that it really is a terrific moisturizer.  It is light, rubs in easily without feeling greasy, and, because I am not actually keen on smelling like a beach all day, the scent of coconut doesn’t linger.  You can’t beat the price either, $37 for a GALLON that will last me and the hubster up to two years.  Unlike other conventional moisturizers, it is quite multi-purpose, too.  I use it head to toe – hair (a wonderful conditioner), face, lips, body, hands, and feet.   It’s pretty terrific on the hubster’s very sensitive skin, I might add – literally the only moisturizer he’s ever tried that doesn’t irritate his skin.  Now that’s saying something.

If you decide to try it, you’ll find it at the supermarket (you may have to look in the health food section) with olive oils and such.  It comes in a peanut butter size jar and costs about $10.  Try to buy organic and unrefined, as refining heats the oil and diminishes it’s healing properties.  As well, coconut oil is solid at temperatures under 74 degrees.  If your house is cold, like mine, you’ll need some sort of spreader to scrape off what you need (a little goes a long way), but also know that it will get very mushy (nearly liquid but not quite) in the summer or in warm places.  If you find that you really like it and want to take the gallon plunge like we did, we bought ours from the awesome Mountain Rose Herbs.  I cannot praise this company enough.  They have great values, a great product selection, and great customer service.

Amy Winehouse

February 26, 2010 in Listening, Spotlighting by Colleen | 2 comments

Gosh, do I ever love this train wreck, though not the actual train wreck part.  I wince whenever I hear her name in the news.  Bless her heart, I sure hope she works out the myriad issues she’s got going on in her very young life because, man, oh man, can she sing!  At once tender and sweet, yet old and wise, too.  I guess that’s what makes it Rhythm & Blues.  Sometimes I play Back to Black on a loop, singing and dancing and dreaming of bouffant hair and thick eyeliner.  As a matter of fact, I think I’ll do that right now.  It’s pretty fine.

Possession

February 25, 2010 in Quoting by Colleen | No comments

Believe that you have it, and you have it.

Latin Proverb

The Same Wavelength

February 24, 2010 in Drinking, Eating, Exploring, Loving, Remembering by Colleen | 3 comments

Have I ever told you about how the hubster and I share a preternatural ability for wanting the same thing at the very same time?  And not just once in a blue moon, either.  It is a rather regular occurrence and doesn’t stem from nineteen years of being a couple – it’s happened all along.  The most memorable and thrilling example occurred rather early in our relationship.  We’d been dating for a few months, and I knew, deep in my heart of hearts, that this man was IT, I-T, IT, so, as we were lying in bed one morning, I asked him to marry me.  Never one to lose his temper, and much to my surprise, he slammed his fist on the bedside table and said, “I was just going to ask YOU!”  We laughed, kissed, and hugged, and knew we were off to a great start.  The same goes for moving to Oregon.  I got it in my mind that we should leave Colorado.  Lo and behold, on the very afternoon I decided to tell the hubster, he came into our apartment and said, “I think we should move.”  Magic.

So, it should come as no surprise that we were both itching to go for a drive in the country this past weekend, to do a little something different, decide to eat at one restaurant, hear about another equally enticing one and (without mentioning a word so as not to disappoint the other) want to eat at said establishment rather than the first, only to discover that the first restaurant was closed for a private party, and we both got what we wanted again (insert giggles and smiles here).  Life really is grand, especially when you are on the same wavelength.

McMinnville, our delightful destination, is a neat town or maybe city?  It has a population of 32,762 (I am trusting the sign and my memory of it are both correct), with some great architecture and restaurants.  Being in Oregon wine country, there are lots and lots of places in town to sample the delicious fruits of their labor.  As serendipity would have it, we just so happened to be there on the monthly art walk and wine tasting, buying a bottle of Coelho Pinot Noir and some blackberry honey, too.

A clever and beautiful arrangement of flowers.

I think he liked it.

La Rambla – Tapas for dinner.

Our beautiful dining partner.

I prefer his company.

Time to go!

Something New

February 23, 2010 in Celebrating, Making by Colleen | 5 comments

Hello friends!

I’ve made a few changes around here, as of late, and thought I’d share them with you.  First, and most obvious, the watercolors.  I’ve been wanting to get back to them for quite some time now but always found a reason not to, like sitting around on my duff (as my Grandpa used to tease me), watching senseless television (LOST is on tonight!), or surfing the web, looking at other people’s sketches.  This last one is the most silly, really.  I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent (on my duff) in front of the computer looking at other people’s creations then lost all motivation to make anything of my own.  What kind of sense does that make?  Exactly.  So, here we go.  I thought of making a pledge to post a photo of something I’ve painted at least once a week (even if it is a bit lopsided), but a tight knot of “accountability panic” formed in my belly.  I am not as evolved as I would like to think – so hopefully I will, but maybe I won’t.  Darn Geminis.

As for the other something new, I have taken a job with my naturopath.  I went in for my well woman exam about a month ago, and she asked if I would like to help out a couple days a week.  Not only was I extremely flattered that she asked, but really excited.  How wonderful to have the privilege of working in an environment about which I am very passionate and making a little money, too.  Something I haven’t done for three years!  As well, the hubster is happy that it will get me out of the house a bit more.  This may surprise you, especially since I am such a social gal here on the interwebs, but I am quite the loner, and interacting with others will save me a lot of one-sided conversations and needless worry in my head.  Truth be told, I often prefer being alone to the company of other people.  When I was a kid, I arranged the furniture in my room so I could be in it, with the door open (closed doors meant mischief to my mom – and with good reason – I’ll tell you below), yet hidden from view.  I would lie on the floor, thoroughly engrossed in a book, while eating dry cereal from a brown paper sack (there’s probably a deeper meaning to this last bit).  At those times, I would delight at being in a Little House on the Prairie, a Secret Garden, or with the Girls of Canby Hall for the whole of an afternoon.  I am not exaggerating when I say that was the height of splendor – still is, though I no longer need to hide.

Two stories that lead to no closed doors for Sohn children – my brothers and I, in some wild fit of boredom one summer afternoon after swim lessons, devised a game.  We tightly rolled our beach towels and put rubber bands at the ends, to keep them together.  Then, we blocked out any bit of light in their room, stuffing a pillow in the window and another towel under the crack of the door.  Once we had the desired amount of darkness, we chose one of us to be “it” and then blindfolded and whipped said person (all the while shouting wu-tang!) until they grasped the towel from the offender, and that person was it.  It was all fun and games until we broke the light fixture a second time and could no longer lie and say that we had no idea how it happened.

In another wild fit of boredom, we decided that my brother’s Little Tikes football toy box resembled a space ship.  One of us would get inside and the other two would smack things on the side (asteroids!), rock it violently back and forth (turbulence!), and spin it on the floor (a black hole!).  When we decided that this wasn’t enough, we sneaked a roll of duct tape and sealed the lid shut before pushing our brave astronaut down the stairs (crash landing!).  Here, we were, rather unfortunately, interrupted by my mom hearing the crash (she must have been out back hanging up the laundry?) and the duct tape being hidden somewhere.  Ahh, childhood.  It’s a wonder we made it out alive, being such geniuses and all.

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