gemstone's Blurty

Subject:	Romancing The Bagel
Time:	11:22 am.

I had a cinnamon-raisin bagel with chive-and-onion cream cheese for breakfast. I remember my first encounter with bagels, a pastry we don’t have in the tropical islands where I grew up. It was on one of my overseas trips a long time ago.

The airline crew served us a snack – a piece of chewy doughnut-shaped bread (from one of my readings, I recall this must be what they call the "bagel") and a packet that said, "cream cheese." I figured I was supposed to eat the bread with the cheese. That was easy enough, so I opened the cheese packet’s foil cover, and I grabbed the bagel. I tore a small piece off the bread, carefully used it to scoop out a dab of cheese, and popped the morsel in my mouth. Hmmm!

As I was chewing my first experience with this unusually tough doughnut-wanna-be bakery product, which I assumed became tasty only because of the cheese, I glanced at a prim and proper lady across the aisle fussing with her own snack.

She stood the bagel on its side, and with the airline signature white plastic knife, she meticulously sliced the bagel from one edge to the other. I found it a little OCD-ish because I thought, why would she go through all that trouble slicing a doughnut-shaped pastry horizontally?

After she came up with two open-faced doughnut slices, she proceeded to spread cream cheese on them, making sure she evened out the quantity of the cheese packet over the two half bagels. Then she very gingerly picked up one of the half bagels, cheesed side up, balanced it ever so carefully on her fingertips, and with poise and grace, bit on it.

I kept tearing on my now sausage-shaped pastry, dipping the torn portion into the cheese pack, and wondered if the lady’s bagel tasted better than mine because of the love and care she put in prepping it. I thought maybe she just had to go through the motion to make eating this ho-hum airline snack a treat.

When I finally settled in the Land of Milk and Honey, I discovered that bagels are always sliced horizontally, the open faces covered with cream cheese, and eaten graciously by balancing the slice on one’s fingertips. I even found bagel slicers in the kitchen stores. Humbled, I felt I needed to apologize to the lady in the plane for thinking she was obsessing on romancing her bagel.

Needless to say, I don’t tear on my bagel anymore. I have now acquired the art of eating this breakfast delicacy. Must practice some more though, because I just dropped half of my half-bagel on the carpet, and it fell cheese side down.

Comments: Read 11 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	This, too, shall pass.
Time:	11:40 pm.

The past six months had been one of most challenging times in my life. But as I always say, things happen for a reason, and this, too, shall pass.

Last July, the summer rains found their way through our ceiling and into our living room. In August, the drips turned into a torrential downpour when the series of hurricanes ganged up to topple our chimney. The walls grew
molds, the carpet sqwooshed, and the house smelled like a pond. We had to move our stuff away from the leaks, so the whole place was a mess, for what seemed like forever.

On the first of September, a reckless driver hit our car, smashing the whole right side. We spent a fortune on car rental, waiting for the repairs that kept getting postponed because of the bad weather.

And because of the moisture in the corner of the house where my workstation was, my PC acted up, most likely due to corrosion. I spent a month working with a low-resolution display until the CPU finally died.

Then, without warning, our airconditioner compressor stopped working. The maintenance guy said we needed a new one. So, we slept without airconditioning, and that was before the night temperatures started dropping.

Fast forward to today...

The auto body shop had completed the repairs, and our Jeep looks good again.

I had accepted an editing job, which financed a new PC, so that problem practically solved itself.

The maintenance guys managed to replace the airconditioner compressor right away, so that was great. And after a four-month wait, the drywall guy finally refinished our walls and ceiling, the carpet guy finally replaced our carpet, and the roof guys finally put up a new chimney.

When I think about it, we had to go through all the stress, hassle, and discomfort because we were, in fact, moving on to something better. The Jeep has a new paint job, and because they replaced the doors, the passenger side window doesn't whistle in the wind anymore. I now have a high-end PC, and we now have a brand new compressor and berber carpet.

It took six months of mayhem and flux, but once again, "this, too, shall pass" came true.

Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Technology at your fingertips
Time:	8:19 am.

How can you not love the high-tech world?

I belong to the generation that zoomed through life as kids playing with tin cans and marbles in the dirt to adults talking to ear contraptions while tapping on electronic notepads that transmit messages across the continents.

In my youth, it never occurred to me that I would still be alive when the world finally harnesses the power of Star Trek-type "communicators." I hope I'm still alive when they install "replicators" in every home. "Coffee, hot, black, two sugars."

Meanwhile, here I am enjoying what high-tech gives us right now. Just yesterday, I saw a moth lounging around in our patio -- I had no idea what it was called, I only knew that it was a moth.

I grabbed my camera, snapped a few frames, and uploaded the images to my PC. Clicking open a browser, I searched the 'Net for "moth Florida." The top result sent me to the USGS site, the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. In no time, I was able to identify my moth -- the Vine Sphinx -- Eumorpha vitis.

Here's my snapshot:

Here's the USGS site's details on the Vine Sphinx:
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/moths/fl/1056.htm

So, that's my learn-something-new-everyday for today, er, yesterday.

Don't you just LOVE high tech! :)

Comments: Add Your Own.

Subject:	Acropolis
Time:	6:49 pm.

Found myself listening to Yanni again after a long silence. My son recommended that I get myself the "Live at the Acropolis" album because it seems to embody the broad range of Yanni's repertoire. I agreed. I used to have the casette format back when. Oh, and the video! Outstanding performance, to say the least.

The concert copy was released in 1994. I must have listened to it last sometime in '97. Once when I bought the CD version last year, and then again tonight.

As I savored the familiar rifts of Yanni's fingers on the piano, and the graceful orchestrations of the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, my subconscious applauded with the live audience.

Then my favorite cut, "Nostalgia," came on -- I swear, the piece must have been the inspiration for Disney's Epcot IllumiNations fireworks and laser display! The way the brass and percussion sections build up and explode, you could close your eyes and experience the splendor of continuous bursts of bright colorful fireworks!

"Keys to Imaginatin" sounded like the background music for the dancing fountain at Epcot. "Santorini" could well be one of the segments for the Fantazmic show at MGM Studios.

I've always appreciated Yanni's genius, but I never imagined that I'd appreciate it much more after I've visited Disney's themeparks.

Comments: Read 8 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Grand Opening!
Time:	9:49 pm.

November 12 has always been special to me -- because it's my mother's birthday, and because it's the day the department store down the block in my old hometown opened its animatronics Christmas decor show... back... waaay back... when I was verrrry young.

The store is called COD, which I presume means "Cash on Delivery" although they don't really offer that service. Of course, it could be the name of one of the owners. They started out as a two-storey building with the second floor housing their inventory. The balcony of the second floor was what they converted into a showcase of animated animatronic holiday cheer. The last time I was there they had built maybe seven more floors of store space and storage, but that balcony still displayed the yearly presentation.

Way back... I was in high school. After dinner, we'd all walk to the front of the store and crane our necks up to watch a moving train of hydraulic motorized vignettes. Their favorite theme is the Filipino Barrio Fiesta -- all native characters, ornaments, and accessories. It's like a parade of fancy floats, only they're up on the balcony. Back then, they were an unbelievable spectacle to my young eyes, and a source of breathtaking wonder to my young mind and heart.

I don't know if they still do these animatronic shows, or if they still open on November 12th. Over the years, I've been to many parts of the world where highly complicated motorized props are pretty common. In fact, much like the "down the block" situation with COD, I'm now down the block from the daily themepark-wide animatronics parades and shows at Disney.

Today, I've added another event to my November 12 memories -- I launched my handmade jewelry online store: the RUBY BAYAN JEWELRY site. It's a simple sub-site with simple products that emerged from my fingers. I hope to improve my designs, tweak my layout, and hone my crafting skills as quickly as I can. Why? Because life is a journey! :)

Visit the site and let me know what you think. Thanks!

Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	I Smell You
Time:	5:26 pm.

Here in Florida, eight months of the year, the above-75-degrees climate compels us to shut ourselves inside air conditioned premises for most, if not the whole day. At the office, in the car, and at home, we dwell in recycled cooled air.

Since the high would be about 78 degrees today, I decided to turn off the airconditioner and open the windows and sliding door to let in some fresh air. A cool breeze brought the ambient temperature even lower.

I appreciate the comforts of indoor cooling, especially during the Florida summer when daytime highs tease the 100 mark. But there are times I relish the heat, the sunshine, and the soothing droplets of sweat that refresh the overheated skin.

It borders on decadence to be climate-controlled 24/7, never to perspire wherever you are, whatever you do. But to a certain extent, it becomes numbing. This morning, I realized how opening the windows to fresh air was like quitting smoking.

Suddenly, the brewing coffee smelled extra strong, the bubbling pancakes smelled extra delicious, the sliced cheese smelled extra cheesy! It was like I was experiencing them for the first time! Or more accurately, I was experiencing them like I did the first time.

I could smell the potpourri in the toilet again. The aroma of the bread on the kitchen counter followed me to the couch. I didn't know my shampoo made my hair smell this good. Most of all, it's so comforting to get a whiff of the afternoon breeze while sitting in my workstation. It reminds me of golden sunsets long ago and far away.

I'm glad the temperatures are dropping -- we can open the windows again. Unlike in other parts of the US, where people close their windows for fall and winter, this is the time we open ours.

The next four months is the Floridians' turn to appreciate the wonders of fresh air.

Comments: Add Your Own.

Subject:	Collector or Pack Rat?
Time:	2:40 pm.

My first real collection started when I was 15. My mother gave me a heart-shaped jewelry box for my birthday (I still have it). It became a "collection" when I realized that I had developed a fondness for heart-shaped objects, from brooches to barrettes, from pencil holders to plates, from jewelry to just-about-anything. I amassed a wall-full over several decades.

Then there were mugs. I collected coffee mugs from all over. All colors, shapes, and sizes. I ran out of space so I hung them on hooks close to the ceiling moldings. We used plain beige ceramic mugs for our everyday coffee.

As a matter of course, I started a growing collection of books -- something my son continues to feed and nurture.

Smileys -- gosh, yellow smiley items all over the house! My bedroom slippers are yellow smileys (a present that a friend bought in Hongkong).

Among all the stuff I collect, my favorite is my bells. That one started with a heavy brass cow bell that an aunt brought home from Iran (came with an exotic Persian rug). I think I was 18. I fell in love with the raw roughness of the bell, which had a distinct harsh clang that I was sure drove its wearer crazy. My bell collection grew to include all sorts of dinner bells, with lovely handles and melodic rings. Souvenir bells have the names of places I visited. This collection has a log -- I try to jot down the origin of each piece, how I acquired it and when.

My niece, who was just here for a short visit, bought stuff for her current collections. She bought a ton of refrigerator magnets and a special 2004 Disney mug to celebrate her first trip to Orlando. She said she also collects Snoopy items, for which she had a shelf built in her bathroom.

My brother collects model cars, motorcycles, airplanes, warships, and trains. Also action figures. At least that's what I know, being half a world away. I remember seeing a photo of a small collection of miniature teapots; I wonder if he's into that, too.

Some people will think we're pack rats amassing knick-knacks and doodads that don't really have resale value... stuff that merely gather dust and clutter our living space.

I would rather adhere to a quote I read recently: surround yourself with things that make you feel good. Collections, whether they're vintage cars or bottle caps, make us feel good. Finding a collector's item and adding it to our own certainly gives us a sense of achievement and pride. What better way to wallow in simple joys!

Pack rats? No. Happy collectors!

Comments: Read 7 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Rental
Time:	3:41 pm.

Okay, the Jeep's finally in the shop. We had to wait two weeks to get a schedule with the auto body repair place and will need to wait another two weeks to get our wheels back. Meanwhile, we're driving around in a rental.

Nice thing about this insurance deals, you get a rental car for the duration of your vehicle's repair. It's not all free because you usually pay 20% of the rental cost, but that's still better than paying for all of it.

At first we were given a Chrysler Pacifica. Lovely van with leather seats and lots of bells and whistles. But my driver didn't like the fact that the windows were too small -- he felt claustrophobic so he took it back.

They gave him another vehicle -- a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck. That one he liked.

Thing about the Ram 1500 is it's built for huge creatures. I'm a petite, so you can imagine me scrambling to climb up onto the seat. And while seated, everything's just a little out of my reach -- the air vent, the handle bar, the radio. So, there's also a lot of leg room (I can curl up under the dashboard to take a nap!). But it's a great vehicle -- it's tall (you can look down at everyone else on the road) -- and for a macho truck, it keeps the noise out real well! But, it's also hard to park -- that bed is just humungous-- can't imagine what they benchmarked it for.

Rentals are always an experience.

Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	We count our blessings.
Time:	8:50 pm.

Two days ago, everyone here in Florida started preparing for another Category 4 hurricane -- Frances -- with the trauma of Hurricane Charley still fresh in our memories. My partner and I decided we needed a non-electric cooking device in case the power goes out. We were lucky with Charley because we didn't lose power, but with Frances, which is thrice the size of Charley, we didn't want to take our chances.

Unfortunately, we took our chances on something else -- a road accident.

Traffic slowed down as we approached the off-ramp leading to where we wanted to shop. I glanced at the side mirror and saw a green Jeep two vehicles behind us. He was obviously moving too fast and unable to brake in time so he swerved to the right onto the shoulder to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of him. Instead of going straight down the shoulder, he must've panicked because he swerved to the left to avoid hitting the railing. Wham!

He plowed through our right side -- the backseat passenger door all the way to the fender -- and sped on ahead of us and tail spinned and hit the rear end of the car ahead of us. The whole front of his vehicle fell off. The trunk and bumper of the other car are bashed in. Our right front and passenger doors are smashed shut.

Luckily, no one was hurt. I bumped my head just a little bit on the knob of the seat belt on the door frame, but it wasn't a good enough excuse to get a free ride in an EMS truck. So, we called the highway patrol because a police report had to be written for the insurance claims.

While we were calling the police, response teams (two fire rescue trucks) arrived at the scene (one of the passing motorists must've called them). They checked us out, asking each of us if we were hurt, felt faint, or anything. We all "refused medical attention." So, after wrapping "Fire Line Do Not Cross" yellow tape around each of the three vehicles, they moved on.

The Florida Highway Patrol arrived about 20 minutes after we called. He asked all of us to drive onto the grass, off the highway's shoulder. Talk about safety. He took down all the details (asked each of the drivers for his version of the accident -- "Okay, what happened?"), then typed up a police report on the laptop in his car. In another 15 minutes, he gave us our copies and we were on our way.

Not to be deterred by the accident, we still drove to the store and bought ourselves a grill.

We're pissed at the other driver's carelessness (he was given a citation for "careless driving") because of the inconvenience he caused. But we also count our blessings. It could've been worse. The impact could've hurt us real bad. I can't begin to imagine what "inconveniences" we'll have to suffer if the incident had been different.

Look at our car now, and see why I, in particular, am counting my blessings!

Comments: Read 5 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Chicken!
Time:	1:03 pm.

We haven't had KFC in a long time. No particular reason. Just never got to it.

Yesterday, while driving to the bank, we saw the KFC/Pizza Hut express place. Sometimes our stomachs have sympathetic cravings -- this was one of those times. "KFC!"

So, after we did our bank thing, we turned into the express drive-thru. Unfortunately, a few other people had the same idea. We were the sixth vehicle from the window, and had to wait some 15 minutes before we even got to the post you scream your order at.

It was okay -- our sugar levels were holding. We spent the waiting time trying to read the fine print off the menu marquee.

The line finally moved and we yelled out our "Number 5, please" in an impatient but most tolerant tone. The order taker at the other end of the talk box wasn't sure what we meant, so we had to spell it out. Well, not really spell out "N-u-m-b-e-r-5" but "3-piece breast and wing meal." We also said "both mashed potatoes" for the sides.

The car ahead of us must have had some issues because it took her a while to order, and a while to receive her order. So that was another 7 minutes -- an eternity to people on the verge of starvation. But we were patient. We're nice people.

When it was finally our turn to pay and pick up our order, the lady at the window said, "It's okay" and gave us our 3-piece meal. She wouldn't accept the money, and we didn't know why. She handed us the bag, and closed the window.

I looked inside the bag and it was a 3-piece meal, but the sides were mashed potatoes and cole slaw, not two mashed potatoes like we ordered.

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, and deciding we don't really mind having cole slaw especially if it's free, we drove away as fast as we could. "Quick, before they realize they made a mistake!"

Completely puzzled and thinking the servers might have mistaken us for someone else (celebrities, maybe?), we sped home with our prize! Then it occurred to me... they must've given us the chicken for free because we had to wait in line for such a long time! We didn't really mind waiting, but if they felt our pain, by all means, give us free chicken!

So, now, we're thinking, next time we pass by that express place and notice a long line at the drive-thru, we could fall in line and maybe get a free meal again!

Such are our simple joys in life. Thank you, KFC! Your chicken never tasted so good!

Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Inspiration
Time:	12:01 pm.

I noticed a piece of twisted thread on the leg of my pajamas last night. It's not anything unusual since I do some sewing, so loose and wayward thread is a normal occurrence. Any other time, I'd have picked it off, twisted it tighter between my fingers and flicked it into the trash, but this piece of thread was different -- it was shaped like a heart.

I looked at it more closely. The ends were wrapped around each other so meticulously. I thought, wait, I can do that with my wire work. So, I promptly took out my copper wire, cutter, and pliers, and here's what my fingers twisted into life...

Inspiration jumps at us from the most unexpected places. We only need to pay closer attention.

Can't wait to integrate my new wire hearts into my jewelry designs.

Comments: Read 4 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	ARRGH!
Time:	8:39 am.

Some days you really learn to appreciate broadband.

Hurricane Charley hit us in the face last Friday, and although tending to a few water leaks kept us awake, we had nothing majorly catastrophic. Except we lost our cable connection. And with it, our broadband access. It's been 4 days, 10 hours and 44 minutes. I'm getting a stiff neck from checking the lights on our modem and router.

But life goes on. Thanks to back-up dial-up access that takes hum-hum-hum forever, I am able to check my mail and Blurty.

Some days you really learn to appreciate broadband.

Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Sold!
Time:	9:17 pm.

Today marks the first day of the rest of my jewelry business days -- I made my first sale. $14 in cold cash for a bracelet I made with my own fingers. I kinda liked that bracelet -- tiny green aventurine beads strung with hand-twisted copper spirals and links -- almost wished it would come back to me. I got back money instead.

Considering that it took some time and a lot of effort (read: calloused fingertips) to make those spirals, but more importantly because I really wanted the bracelet for myself, I should've charged more for it.

Well, now that I think about it, what's stopping me from making another one? Ah, but a second one will not be the same as the first one! The second will be second, and seconds are never as important as firsts.

So... why not just make another first?! A brilliant idea!

I'll be at my beading table. Er, at the Ruby's Gems factory.

Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Call of the mountains
Time:	9:55 am.

At least once a year, we find time to drive up north to soak in the fresh, crisp, pine scent of the North Carolina mountains. The peaks along the Blue Ridge Parkway is the closest real mountain experience a Florida resident can get. And it's a 10-hour drive on a clear day.

Luckily, the US highways are excellently maintained. And with cruise control at your fingertips, driving is not such a hassle. Before the trip, we burned four CDs of assorted classic rock tunes which I appropriately labeled "Road Trip 1" to "Road Trip 4." Of course, that set didn't quite last 10 hours but next time we'll burn some more. As backup, we brought along a few of our favorite box sets.

The drive up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway was exhilerating, as always. The last time we were there, it was the peak of fall, and the foliage was a splatter of reds and golds, with leaves floating across our path like confetti dancing in the wind. This time, it's the peak of summer -- the roads are clean, the grass newly mowed, and the trees bursting in a thick of green. The mountains are beautiful and inspiring as always.

[click image to enlarge]

Before we drove back down, we stopped by the North Carolina Arboretum. Several gardens were still in bloom but you can tell that they were at their best a couple of months ago, in the spring. I still managed to take a few snap shots of the butterfly gardens.

[click image to enlarge]

Coming home, we got so engrossed in our discussions about politics and the upcoming presidential elections that we totally missed our exit to the southbound highway. Luckily, on one of our earlier restroom stops, the caretaker of the visitor center handed us a map. She said, "Hi, would you like a map and a copy of our travel guide?" I gladly accepted. Maybe she actually said, "Hi, take a map cuz you're going to miss your exit." (Cue Twilight Zone soundtrack.)

We figured our angels were keeping us safe from harm by sending us almost an hour away from our intended route. Anyway, it was an opportunity to visit a city we've never seen before.

So, we're back home, our lungs refilled with mountain air, our spirits revived by a week's distraction from work.

Now... back to work!

Comments: Read 5 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Learning things the hard way.
Time:	9:32 am.

I was born with it... a burning sense of curiosity... always wanting to know how and why. And maybe as a challenge to myself, before I go pulling at people's sleeves asking for answers, I try to figure things out myself. That's why I'm familiar with the "10% wastage" rule. And today, I'd qualify for the poster child of the month for "trial and error." Let me explain.

As you may have read in my previous entries, my latest passion is beads and wireworking. The combination of hand-wrist twisting and fine motor action is great for my carpal-tunnel-syndrome survivor hands. So after mastering the stringing and crimping skill, I thought I'd try "wrapping" -- twisting wire around a gemstone or cameo to make a pendant. I've seen some online, they look great. I could do that.

Let me emphasize that I learned all I know about beading and wirework by scrutinizing the items displayed online. Every now and then I'd come across a tutorial that explained how to make a perfect loop, but only after I've already tried-and-erred over a few feet of wire, and first-hand discovered how to do it--albeit by accident.

So I looked at those dainty pendants very closely and tried to figure out how those wires got "sculptured" around those stones. Ah hah! I'll try it. I grabbed one of those plastic colored stones that they put in flower vases, rolled out a foot of copper wire, and twisted away. Here's my first attempt:

As you can see, I have successfully wire-sculptured a bright red three-legged spider.

Not to be discouraged, and armed with the knowledge I gained from my three-legged spider, I grabbed another stone--a bigger one for better handling (actually one of the river stones I had in a planter). Using my newly acquired more workable technique... voila!

It worked! Looks great for a second try! It was like solving a puzzle. That definitely was my simple joy for the day.

Anyone wanna buy a rock?

Comments: Read 8 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Froggie!
Time:	9:04 am.

Last night, we were watching TV when we heard what sounded like something fell on the carpet near the kitchen. We looked around and saw nothing. After about an hour, we heard another soft and tiny sound from the same area. This time we ignored it. Just before going to bed, I went to the kitchen to get a glass of water, and this was what I saw:

Little Froggie sat there as I took some photos. When I got too close for comfort (I'm sure he got irritated with all the flashing in his face), he hopped about and landed on one of the cabinet doors:

I wasn't really open to the idea of becoming foster-Mom to our cute visitor, so I picked him up and released him outside our front door. He'll be okay. Now, how he came in, will remain a mystery.

Comments: Read 3 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Blue Flowers
Time:	4:07 pm.

My simple joy for the day is taking photos of a lush bush of Forget-Me-Nots. Our complex grows several big groupings of these Forget-Me-Not plants, scattered all over the property. And when they bloom all together, the masses of little blue flowers are just breathtaking!

This bush grows across the pond, but from where we sit in the patio, you can't ignore the bluish blanket of flowers shimmering in the sun. I finally decided to walk over to shoot some photos.

And right after I shot a few angles, the clouds grew dark and the rain fell. I was glad I took the shoot because with the heavy downpour that followed, I'm sure most of the delicate flowers either fell off or got decimated. I'm happy I captured them at their best, and now they will never be forgotten. That's my simple joy for the day.

Comments: Read 4 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Bitter Gourd
Time:	8:18 am.

We call it ampalaya. Others call it pomme de merveille, muop dang, tsuru reishi, bitter melon, sopropo, arsorossie, ku gua foo, pare, chin li chih, ejinrin gule khandan, fu-kua, karela, k'u kua kurela, kor-kuey, ku gua, lai p'u t'ao, pava-aki, peria, karela, balsamina, or mara. The scientific world calls it Momordica Charantia L. It actually has its own website: Ampalaya.com.

I did some online research and discovered that ampalaya is rich in potassium, vitamin A and D, and is a good source of medicinal applications against diabetes and immune deficiencies. The most comprehensive source I found is the Raintree Nutrition site: Bitter Melon. Wow!

So, why am I talking about ampalaya? Because I planted a couple of seeds last spring and the plants are growing well and looking good! I put up a makeshift trellis (heavy duty "invisible" nylon string) along the side of the patio to help them climb. Here's the patio today (aside: take note also of my original handmade flag-inspired mobile).

Here are the dainty little yellow flowers that bloom in the morning and fall off in the afternoon, and one of the many fruits we're looking forward to harvesting:

Comments: Add Your Own.

Subject:	Squirrels!
Time:	8:45 am.
Music:	"Glad" by Traffic (is this the Snoopy dance song?).

I now know where they got the expression, "bright eyes and bushy tail" -- from squirrels! Every morning and mid-afternoon, they scamper about... digging up their nuts, jumping from one branch to another, or hanging by their feet from the sides of tree trunks, chewing on a delicacy. The whole time they're doing these stunts, they're bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with energy!

They say some squirrels are friendly enough to eat from your hand. But none of those I've met have come up to me for some small talk. Oh, the ones in Houston are different -- they're dark brown and big and *very* bright-eyed and bushy-tailed that they're almost scary! Here in Florida, the squirrels are gray and regular sized -- like you can hold them up with one hand (not that you'd want to, though--I'm pretty sure they bite.)

It's fun to watch these cute little creatures. They're dainty and shy, and they keep me company. When they're not busy trying to remember where they stashed their nuts, they scamper up and down the trees, looking at me, making sure I'm not also thinking of something naughty.

But like I said in one of my "Life's Lessons" articles, "No matter how handsome a squirrel you are, to a cat, you're still just another rodent."

Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.

Subject:	Bitten by the bead bug!
Time:	1:00 pm.

It sort of started last year... with plastic beads. I saw them on sale at eBay and just wanted to find out what I could string together, so to speak. I came up with some neat a-la-mardigras bracelets and necklaces on nylon twine and cheap clasps. Looked cool to me then.

Sometime early this year, I noticed a pack of assorted wood beads at the Michaels crafts store. I knew I could come up with something creative. Yup, some a-la-ethnic-tribal designs with stretchy nylon and braided hemp. Simple bracelets mostly. And some eye-catching mobiles using clam shells.

Then last month, on one of my "I'm bored" afternoons, I explored eBay again and saw this "bulk" assortment of gemstone chip beads. Hmmm. I was a bit disappointed when I got my order because most of the stones were really small. So, I went to Michaels and there they were... packs and packs of assorted beads! Mwahaha!

And I've been beading happily since. Check out some items from my first batch!

You think I have a future here? :)

Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.