Lilly & Coco

The New Age Corner - Sound Healing

2009-07-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Once in a while I come across a neat "New Age" item that I like to share. I recently purchased a digital download audio from Sankofa Song Sound Healing, by Fabeku Fatunmise. It's called "Remembering Through Resonance."

You can get a sample Sacred Sound download, purchase a full-length sound audio healing, or even schedule a sound healing session with him! I listened to the sound healing last night before I went to sleep, with earphones on. I feel so much calmer and anxiety free since listening to it.

Click here to visit Fabeku's site!

Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

2009-07-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light

Photo by mainemomma on Flickr.

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

Photo by BL1961 on Flickr.

Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,

Photo by Mr Chris Cornwell on Flickr.

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

Photo by Ankeny Street Images on Flickr.

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Photo by ginnerobot on Flickr.

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Photo by loupiote on Flickr.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

Photo by Archie McPhee Seattle on Flickr.

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Photo by o SSG o on Flickr.

Trip to the Oregon Coast

2009-06-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

Hubby and I took a trip to the Oregon Coast this past weekend. Here is the Civil War grave of the unknown soldiers at Seaside, at the cove. I like that it reads, "known only to God." I thought when I first read that, that we are all really only known to God, somehow it comforts me.

I don't know why, but I love flapping-in-the-breeze shots of flags!

The McMenamins Sand Trap in Gearhart, there was a wedding on the golf course below.

Mr and Mrs Doofus exit the building...

And here is your seagull beach photo.

Peaceful, windy, Manzanita.

Olive's Story

2009-06-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

Pet Psychic Bridget Pilloud of "Pets Are Talking" launched a Dog Rescue fundraising venture with her adopted/rescued pet, Olive. It's called Olive's Heroes, and here is the link to their blog.

Olive's story is very, very touching. So touching in fact, that I can't really think about it without bursting into tears, curling up into a ball, and making strange gutteral crying sounds. I'll let you read about it on their blog.

Their mission is to raise awareness about dogs in rescue; the dogs placed on 'death row' in animal shelters need homes, and many of us need these dogs! It's a win-win situation, so please take a look at their blog, if not to see Miss Personality herself, the amazing Olive!

PNCA at 100 Exhibition at the Portland Art Museum

2009-06-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

This is my PNCA 100th anniversary blog post, part two.

I went back for another look at the museum exhibit, without all those darn people in the way of the art. I took these pictures, because I sensed there was no security guard around - due to funding cuts. This Judy Cooke painting above, I just love! She was a wonderful and intelligent teacher to have, and I respect her work very much.

My favorite all-time teacher, Paul Missal! I learned SO MUCH from him. Great still life.

A view from the gallery. A great exhibit of many of PNCA's teachers throughout the past 100 years.

PNCA 100th Anniversary

2009-06-08T17:23:00.000-07:00

The PNCA 100th Anniversary opening at the Portland Art Museum (Pacific NW College of Art).
It was a magical night to remember...

There were slide shows...

Sparkling conversation, wait staff, and CANDLES. A buffet with asparagus! Sadly, no cookies, or sweets of any kind. "Crap," is what we all thought.

Look how excited these people are!

Somehow my husband managed to insult Arlene Fucking Schnitzer, so we left in a hurry and went to nearby Higgins (where everybody knows your name), and you can hurt their feelings all you want without a big to-do about it.

All in all, a nice start to a weekend, and I got to see my favorite teacher from PNCA, Paul Missal!

The Trip to Crazy Town

2009-05-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

So, my friend Gretchen and I thought it would be a good idea to visit Sleighbells the Christmas Store/Christmas Tree Farm, at the height of insanity - the most opposite point to Christmas on the human calendar, which turned out to be May 23rd.

For those Oregonians who aren't familiar with Sleighbells, they're a store for crazy people - specializing in Christmas ornaments. Located on Highway 99, just south of Sherwood. Luckily, our friend Cindy decided to join us - and startle us with the fact that she's seven months pregnant - surprise! Long time no see - I have a small child in my uterus!

To say that Sleighbells has room after room chock full of ornaments is a crazy, crazy understatement. Think crazier!

Albino peacocks! Also, regular peacocks, and chickens.

And a world-class Christmas tree farm, like none other! With trees ranging from baby-sized, to "cut me down in the prime of my life" sized!

It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, and I came away with a sparkling doughnut ornament to cherish for many Christmases to come.

Etsy Finds - Misako Mimoko

2009-05-14T18:17:00.000-07:00

Misako Mimoko is a wonderful shop on Etsy that I came across while visiting Little Big Pant's blog.

Look at these things! They're about as cute, as cute gets my friends! But if you still need MORE CUTE, check out the Miss Bumbles Etsy shop!

I ordered this print made from one of her paintings, called "Albert Guinea," can't wait to get it up on the wall:

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

This is me and my mom. All of my early photos feature her with a cigarette. There's a nice one of her holding me as a baby, of course, with a cigarette. Anyway, my sister and I are going to take her out for brunch and a visit to the local art museum for Mother's Day. I haven't told her this yet, but I would like to re-enact this photograph of the two of us, a before-and-after of sorts, and for this I will have to sit on her lap. Stay tuned for the "after" photo!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2009-05-07T10:16:00.001-07:00

Today is my dad's birthday, he would have been 75 today. I lost him just over two years ago to liver cancer, but you don't forget things like your dad's birthday that quickly. He always used to say that he got treated like a king on his birthday, for some reason he was the most gratifying family member to give birthday and holiday presents to. I like to think of him during his birthday and I think I even felt his presence this morning a little when I was eating my breakfast.

The night my dad's soul left his body, he made a little pit-stop at my house, came up along side me and gave me a big bear hug. Minutes later I got the call from my sister, that he had officially passed on. I will never forget that little gesture his soul made, because it was my last contact with him. I knew he was going to be ok.

He always told my mom that he was the luckiest man alive, I think because he had such a constant outlook of gratitude for what life had given him. I miss you dad!

2009-04-08T13:29:00.000-07:00

Behold Team Guinea Pig - Tribble and Shmuzzy. Gaze upon their mega-cuteness, and be healed! I became aware of these two cuties while taking an online pet communication class with Bridget, of Pets Are Talking fame.

Their Guardian, is Alice of Reiki Awakening. We have their photo hanging in the office, for immediate stress relief. Caution - they are cute, and they know it.

Happy Friday!

2009-03-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

From flowerquetzel on Flickr.

Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile Sighting

2009-03-16T16:49:00.000-07:00

Spotted Sunday evening on Hwy 26:

Oh I wish I were an Os-car Mayer Wie - ner

That is what I'd tru-ly like to be

'cause if I were an Os-car May-er Wie - ner

Ev-ery one would be in love with me!

Happy Friday!

2009-03-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

By Kristybee on Flickr.

The Magnificence of the Oregon Coast

2009-03-11T17:14:00.000-07:00

The husband and I made a quick getaway to the Oregon Coast this past weekend, to de-stress. I think most of the time, we stared off into space. It snowed on the way from Portland to the coast, and even snowed on the beach while we were there! Great storm watching, but minimal beach frolicking.

Without the diversion of good weather, I actually found the enormity of the ocean to be quite overwhelming! It just sits there being eternal and unchanging! "Stop making me reflect on my existence!" I shouted to it! "Ommmmm," it shouted back!

TGIF

2009-03-06T11:40:00.000-08:00

It's almost the weekend, Happy Friday!
Almost from Church and Steak on Vimeo.

Yes, I'm one of those

2009-03-05T19:05:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am one of those people that blog about their cats. This is my cat Coco, he'll be 16 years old in April. He is a giant pain-in-the-ass, but I loves him so much. He's like those narcissistic males that all young women in their early 20's date, and never seem able to break-up with.

I am currently enrolled in a pet communication workshop, being held online and taught by Bridget of Pets Are Talking which I enjoy very much!

So far it's been quite interesting, and sort of reminds me of when I was in that 8-12 age range, when all sorts of magical things were possible. Including, talking to animals!

A few days after my first class, I swear Coco offhandedly said "yeah..., fuck off" to me on his way out of the living room, and into the kitchen. But I'm not SURE.

I can't WAIT to see what else he has to say to me!

Happy Birthday Michael!

2009-02-20T16:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to my darling husband Michael! Love you!

Barbra

2009-02-18T12:41:00.000-08:00

Papa, can you hear me?

Papa, can you see me?

Papa can you find me in the night?

This song from Yentl always makes me so sad, and miss my dad. Look how cool Barbra was in 1962 on the Garry Moore show:

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T14:02:00.000-08:00

Whether you're single, married, or dating someone new; here's wishing you an enjoyable Valentine's Day!

Photo by Mrs. French on Flickr.

Have a good weekend..

2009-02-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday!

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography on Flickr.

2/2/09

2009-02-02T14:41:00.000-08:00

February 2, 2007 - I lost my dad. February 2nd is always just going to be a difficult day for me. But to cheer myself up, I thought I might post about some things my dad liked.

My dad was from Virginia, and grew up loving the blues. When my mother was pregnant with me, she and my dad lived a short time in Virginia, and my dad mistook their neighbor for a janitor, and asked him to come into his apartment to fix the radiator. The neighbor he mistook for a janitor turned out to be Skip James. For six months they sang and played together, and this is while I was in vitro, so I have no recollection of it.

I remember his saying that he always wanted to write his own biography of Skip James, because the ones he had read got the facts all wrong.

These images are from Blues Images - a wonderful site based here in Oregon, where you can buy posters, calendars and tshirts with vintage blues recording images. I got a calendar for my dad once, and he really liked it. By the way, the calendars come with a free music CD.

My dad also liked to paint, and very much enjoyed looking at painting. Starting February 7th, the Portland Art Museum is hosting a show of French painting (La volupté du goût: French Painting in the Age of Madame de Pompadour), which I certainly intend to go see.

Another singer he enjoyed was Cesária Évora, a singer from Cape Verde he and mom got a chance to see when she came to Portland for a concert. I love her music as well, and always think of my dad when I listen to her hauntingly beautiful singing.

I am so BUMMED...

2009-01-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

Just got a little card in the mail informing me that my subscription to Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine was going to be replaced by Martha Stewart Living, because they were no longer publishing it anymore.

This was my VERY favorite magazine, which I always looked forward to, and I saved all my back-issues for that past four years or so that I've been subscribed.

I know what you're thinking: "don't be a f**king baby." I'm telling you, if you had been subscribed to this magazine, you'd mourn the loss of it as well. I was never a big fan of Mary Engelbreit per se, and for many years I would look askance at her magazine on the rack in the book store with all the other "real" magazines. I'm not sure how I ended up actually picking one up and looking through it.

When I did, I was very surprised to see that the magazine was not actually filled with her cornball illustrations, but instead was guided by her vintage-retro, indie-artist sensibility. The magazine always had many wonderful, color-rich photos and inspiring images, and even interviews with self-employed people in the arts and decor business.

ME Home Companion, will be very much missed!

Strangely, I just subscribed to Domino magazine, and found out TODAY that it will not be publishing anymore. Lordy.

Herfy's Wacky Burger Boxes

2009-01-19T13:05:00.001-08:00

My sister had an obsessive mission to discover who the illustrator was for these Herfy's, "Wacky Burger Boxes," from the 1970's - fast food gold to us as children who were customers of a neighborhood Herfy's joint, which I don't think there are anymore of in Portland. Looks like Herfy's locations still exist in Washington state though.

Funnily enough, she tracked down the illustrator in Seattle and sent me some of his images.

They really do bring back good memories!

Portland in your Pocket!

2008-12-30T11:57:00.001-08:00

For Christmas I was presented with a copy of my friend Susie's mother's book: Portland in your Pocket. She explained that back in the 70's, her mother had a lot of extra time on her hands, so she and a friend compiled this pocket guide to Portland together. This second edition is from 1979, the first was from 1976.

I really love it, because it's classic Portland. If you were around in the late 70's, and lived in Portland - you may be shocked to see how much Portland has grown since then, and this little book is the perfect reminder.

For instance, the listing for Powell's books states, "Over 200,000 new and used books. Open Sunday afternoons." Anyone remember Neighborfair held at Waterfront Park every July? Or Artquake in the Portland bus mall every year?

Susie went to Lincoln high school with my husband Michael, and here is a picture of another of their classmates Scott, doing some shopping with his mother.

You simply cannot go wrong with mimes!

It's nice to see that Portland's enthusiam for the arts was going strong in the 1970's, there were plenty of theatre, music, film, and visual art venues to visit and enjoy back then, including Arlene Schnitzer's Fountain Gallery, and the Portland Center for the Visual Arts.