Need Drit

Free Time

The awkward moment when you're
not sure if you actually
have free time or if
you're just forgetting everything.

Surrounded by Adventure

"To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest
sensations in the whole world. You are surrounded by adventure. " - Freya Stark

Extras

Case Study House

 

 Case study house Hollywood Hills, California: "The Stahl House" 1950
 The Stahl House (also known as Case Study House #22) is a modernist styled house designed by architect Pierre Koenig in the Hollywood Hills section of  Los Angeles, California. Photographic and anecdotal evidence suggests that the architect's client, Buck Stahl, may have provided an inspiration for the overall structure.  In 2013 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. - Wikipedia

"Without deviation from the norm,
progress is not possible." -Frank Zappa

Don't Mention It

As It Should

Note To Self

"What is my purpose in life?"   I asked the void. 

"What if I told you  that you fulfilled it when you took an extra hour to talk to that kid about his life?" Said the voice.  "Or when you paid for the young couple in that restaurant? Or when you saved that dog in traffic? Or when you tied your father's shoes for him? Your problem is that you equate purpose with goal-based achievement. God or the universe or morality isn't interested in your achievements...just your heart. 

 When you choose to act out of kindness, compassion, and love, you are already aligned with your true purpose. No need to look any further." 
 from notetoselfphilosophy.com

Love Is

Up On The Roof

"I just wanna sit on a rooftop
with someone at
2Am and just look at the night
sky,not worrying about
anything going on in life." -anonymous

Happiness

A Calming Idea

"We should read to give our souls a chance to  luxuriate." -Henry Miller

Do Not Put Off Til Tomorrow What You Can Do Today

I'm Okay With That

Fatal Charm

"What is the fatal charm of Italy? What do we find there that can be found nowhere else? I believe it is a certain permission to be human, which other places, other countries, lost long ago."  Erika Jong

Love Them

“We go to the races all the time. We don’t care about the horses. But it's the only place where you can get dressed up and drink champagne before noon.”-Humans of New York

The Most Important Thing

" To be kind is more important than
to be right. Many times what people
need is NOT a brilliant mind,
but a SPECIAL heart that LISTENS."

I Believe

"I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and... I believe in miracles."-Audrey Hepburn

By The Light Of The Moon

"And hand in hand on the edge of the sand
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon."
Edward Lear

Tribute to Prince

"One of my life's epic little experiences was being 20 back in 1991 and getting to see Prince in Paris with my sister who was 14. I saw a poster in the metro and freaked, begging my mom to let me take my sister to this diversion of our trip. That night at the auditorium everyone was chanting something that sounded like 'Prawns! Prawns!' before the show started. (Turned out it was "Prince" with a french accent.) His show that night blew our minds 10 times over. We danced our asses off with every other Parisian in that place. And on the train ride home, we watched a drunk Frenchman sing 'Purple Rain' to himself as he held himself up on a pole. I thank my mom and her adventurous spirit for encouraging us to go. It was an unforgettable night." — India Nagy

 Prince, was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and actor.
 (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016)

The Future

"Today, we thought about the future. This is a four year old vision of what it will be like someday... "Boy flying over a cherry pie."- A. Cabot

A Hint of Gladness

When I Am Among the Trees by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such a hint of gladness,
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment, and
never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, "Stay awhile."
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this,
 to go easy,
to be filled
with light
and to shine."

Serenity and the Sea

"Serenity, the swish of the sea, a blue surface crimped with silver, the warm  sun. This perfect day seemed created for perfect understanding."

Happy Mother's Day

 "Mother and Child" - Mary Cassatt 1880
“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”
― Washington Irving

Bring Me Paris Tied In A Bow

"Mother's Day is not complete without my other mother figures. 
Pat, who influenced me so much. It probably was because of her I came to live in Paris. In her last years I went back to SF to see her every year. Every time I asked her what she would like me to bring, she would say:
 "bring me Paris tied in a bow."
Voilà Pat in her most Parisian, in a 1947 Dior." -Nancy Li

  Photo Nat Farbman of  Pat English,  photojournalist for LIFE.

A Different Kind of Cinco De Mayo

My friends Mitra, Marion and I decided to have a nice field trip to of all places Rancho Cucamonga. Hidden deep in the foothills is the beautiful home and studio (now a museum) of the Master woodworker Sam Maloof.  His home, beautiful gardens and workshop are available to tour on Thursday and Saturdays throughout the year. Reservations are recommended for the tours.*  A special Centennial exhibit is currently featuring more than 60 objects including furniture made throughout his 50 plus years of woodworking career, photos, drawings and many pieces of his personal art collections.  A wonderful look at the life and legacy that he  created during his 93 years. This Centennial exhibit lasts through Aug. 27th celebrating what would have been his 100th birthday on Jan. 24, 2016.

A Sculpture in the Garden exhibit runs from May 1  to October 29, 2016. Features 68 whimsical
sculptures by local artists and are scattered throughout the beautiful gardens surrounding the Maloof home.

"Look out Mitra!  There's some monster chasing you!"

Our 1 1/2 hr. tour ended by 4:00. We decided to have an early dinner at the nearby Victoria Gardens outdoor shopping mall to avoid rush hour traffic back to Long Beach.

 Based on positive reviews we chose to dine at "Brio" Tuscan grill**

The bar area close to the entrance of the restaurant was large and beautiful

 Pesce Piccata 

Chicken Limone (so big I had to take l/2 home)

Happy campers Mitra and Marion enjoying an aperitivo

We had the best waiter named Christopher (I think our table ck. no. was 127). Christopher was so busy as the time went on and tables in his area filled but he was so attentive, filling our water immediately when we requested, looking to see if we needed anything very often.  These days it's especially impressive to be in a busy restaurant and have such a conscientious server  who checks on you often to see if you are happy with everything or need anything else. We really appreciated this young man's efforts to make sure our dining experience was top notch. He succeeded. We'll request him whenever we return! He was fantastic!
Thanks Christopher!

 We were celebrating Mitra's birthday too!
Christopher surprised us with a special delicious marscapone cheesecake.
It was heavenly!

Hope all your wishes come true Mitra!

Marscapone cheesecake mmmmm

A very, very nice day out for the "Tre Stagioni"!

 Happy Birthday Mitra!



*http://www.malooffoundation.org
**  Brio Tuscan Grill located in Rancho Cucamonga Victoria Gardens Mall