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    <title>Amusements</title>
    
    
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/" />
    <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1424469</id>
    <updated>2011-12-31T12:03:39-08:00</updated>
    
    <generator uri="http://www.typepad.com/">TypePad</generator>
    <atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/typepad/UIMU" /><feedburner:info xmlns:feedburner="http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0" uri="typepad/uimu" /><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/" /><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="hub" href="http://hubbub.api.typepad.com/" /><entry>
        <title>Mini Skirts, Platforms and Dreams</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/12/mini-skirts-platforms-and-dreams.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/12/mini-skirts-platforms-and-dreams.html" thr:count="5" thr:updated="2012-01-05T17:08:59-08:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ef452af883401675fc0337e970b</id>
        <published>2011-12-31T12:03:39-08:00</published>
        <updated>2011-12-31T12:03:39-08:00</updated>
        <summary>Who says a gal of a 'certain age' has to stop dreaming, scheming, and generally creating a stir (or a splash!) wherever she goes? Who says she can't enter a room and have the whole world take notice, create an...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Karen  Otto</name>
        </author>
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675fbed0d9970b-pi" /><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Who says a gal of a 'certain age' has to stop dreaming, scheming, and generally creating a stir (or a splash!) wherever she goes?</span></em><br /><br /><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675fbed49b970b-pi"><img alt="For amusements margarita" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401675fbed49b970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675fbed49b970b-320wi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="For amusements margarita" /></a><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Who says she can't enter a room and have the whole world take notice, create an artistic symphony of whims, and then leave them all with their jaws on the floor?</span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340162fec9d8f9970d-pi"><img alt="For amusements 2" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af88340162fec9d8f9970d" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340162fec9d8f9970d-320wi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="For amusements 2" /></a><br />We are the ones who came from a generation that thought we could 'have it all' and knew what to do to get it. </span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> We wanted to be taken seriously, burn our bras to prove a point (or two), and yet hold onto that 'femine allure' that only a mini skirt and a pair of platforms could provide.  (Funny how those have all come back around again, isn't it?!)</span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675fbf394b970b-pi"><img alt="For amusements glitter ball" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401675fbf394b970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675fbf394b970b-320wi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="For amusements glitter ball" /></a><br />Being young is a malady that no one can escape, (poor things), but we are more worldly now, more enlightened about the wiley ways of the world, more connected to what it is to be a creative force in this Universe of OURS.  </span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340168e4c0279e970c-pi"><img alt="For amusements" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af88340168e4c0279e970c" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340168e4c0279e970c-320wi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="For amusements" /></a><br />Let's go back and 'find ourselves' again... remember what started our fires buring to begin with, and rekindle the flames that will light the way for our daughters and their daughters. </span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Show them how it's done;  maturing --- I know, but try to learn to love that word----- and owning it.  Or at least move to Paris, where a sweet young pear and a finely aged wine can be appreciated together and recognized for what they bring to the table.</span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340168e4c0398a970c-pi"><img alt="For amusements bed" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af88340168e4c0398a970c" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340168e4c0398a970c-320wi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="For amusements bed" /></a><br />This New Year, strike a pose in your life, vogue, vamp and get after it!  </span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Write a novel for yourself, take up oil painting (you have to learn patience to let the paint dry... no more acrylic instant gratification).  Learn to skydive or just go on the Big Shot in Vegas, preferably before you eat, not after. </span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Go back to Disneyland and allow yourself to laugh out loud and a lot.  Visit Taos, New Mexico, and soak up the richness of the desert and the artful community.  </span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bask in the glow of a hundred tealights surrounding your tub.  It'll take a lot of time to light them all, but you'll feel like you're in a movie and you are!  This is your one take!  </span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340168e4c05633970c-pi"><img alt="For amusements cupcake" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af88340168e4c05633970c" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340168e4c05633970c-320wi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="For amusements cupcake" /></a><br />Be eccentric, be bold, be the Queen you were born to be.  Let the world see your abilities and talents, but most of all, show yourself that it's never too late to have goals and dreams and ambitions.  It's not too late to start over, to change your flight plan, to do something else. </span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The new year with all of the hopes for a better tomorrow,  is not just for the twenty-somethings (although I have 'one of those' that I love very much.... hello my Birdie!).  </span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The New Year is for US, too!  What will you do in 2012, that you haven't done before?  </span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Life is rich and full of flavor.  Now, don't just sit there..... go out and have a great big bite or TWO!</span></em></p>
<p><em /><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">                </span><span style="font-size: 36pt;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 36pt;">            Bonne Année!</span></span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 36pt;">      ******  ~2012~ ******</span><br /><br /><br /></span></em></p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>         Happy Holidays!</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/12/-happy-holidays.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/12/-happy-holidays.html" thr:count="0" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ef452af883401675f515a40970b</id>
        <published>2011-12-24T17:17:31-08:00</published>
        <updated>2011-12-24T17:17:31-08:00</updated>
        <summary />
        <author>
            <name>Karen  Otto</name>
        </author>
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675f5150e0970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_2676" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401675f5150e0970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675f5150e0970b-320wi" title="IMG_2676" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675f513f09970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_2736" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401675f513f09970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675f513f09970b-320wi" title="IMG_2736" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675f514e24970b-pi" style="display: inline;" /><br /> <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675f513a40970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_2735" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401675f513a40970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675f513a40970b-320wi" title="IMG_2735" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675f513ba7970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_2738" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401675f513ba7970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401675f513ba7970b-320wi" title="IMG_2738" /></a><br /> </p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>                                                    Celebrate!</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/11/-celebrate.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/11/-celebrate.html" thr:count="1" thr:updated="2011-12-21T13:42:24-08:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ef452af88340162fccf918a970d</id>
        <published>2011-11-23T19:58:50-08:00</published>
        <updated>2011-11-23T20:02:39-08:00</updated>
        <summary>I'm so grateful for all of you that have recently found this blog, or have been looking in on A`Musements for years. Without you the blog would be pointless. Wishing you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving, surrounded by family and...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Karen  Otto</name>
        </author>
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>      <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340154374d8940970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="2058935785_cedd20473e" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af88340154374d8940970c" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340154374d8940970c-320wi" title="2058935785_cedd20473e" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;">I'm so grateful for all of you that have recently found this blog, or have been looking in on A`Musements for years.  Without you the blog would be pointless.</span></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;"> </span></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: 12pt;"><em>Wishing you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving, surrounded by family and friends, and making memories that will last a lifetime.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: 12pt;"><em> </em></span></p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Yesterday</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/10/yesterday.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/10/yesterday.html" thr:count="2" thr:updated="2011-10-25T22:15:56-07:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ef452af88340154364463ac970c</id>
        <published>2011-10-19T16:06:49-07:00</published>
        <updated>2011-10-19T16:06:49-07:00</updated>
        <summary />
        <author>
            <name>Karen  Otto</name>
        </author>
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p style="text-align: center;">                                      <br />  <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834015392708904970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_0345" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af8834015392708904970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834015392708904970b-320wi" title="IMG_0345" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>It's Getting Closer...</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/10/its-getting-closer.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/10/its-getting-closer.html" thr:count="0" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ef452af88340153925ef90b970b</id>
        <published>2011-10-17T13:16:40-07:00</published>
        <updated>2011-10-17T13:36:51-07:00</updated>
        <summary>What scares you most? Dolls with souls trapped inside, housing the dead, waiting patiently to be dragged home from an antique shop so they can live again.... with you? Or is it the dead themselves, withering bones and souls, wandering...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Karen  Otto</name>
        </author>
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>                                          <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401543632f8e4970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_4113" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401543632f8e4970c" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401543632f8e4970c-320wi" title="IMG_4113" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">           <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340153925f1feb970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_4069" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af88340153925f1feb970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340153925f1feb970b-320wi" title="IMG_4069" /></a><br />                           What scares you most?                  </p>
<p>                                          <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340153925f15e5970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_4740" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af88340153925f15e5970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340153925f15e5970b-320wi" title="IMG_4740" /></a><br /><em>  Dolls with souls trapped inside, housing the dead, waiting patiently to be dragged home from an antique shop so they can live again.... with you?</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">           <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834014e8c53159e970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5195" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af8834014e8c53159e970d" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834014e8c53159e970d-320wi" title="IMG_5195" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Or is it the dead themselves, withering bones and souls, wandering eternity.... awaiting your inevitable end?</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">          <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834014e8c5319e9970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_4808" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af8834014e8c5319e9970d" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834014e8c5319e9970d-320wi" title="IMG_4808" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Maybe the candy corn isn't as bad as we think.  </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>          <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834014e8c533b3a970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_4562" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af8834014e8c533b3a970d" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834014e8c533b3a970d-320wi" title="IMG_4562" /></a></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Vincent Price laughter inserted here.<br /><br /></em></p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Time to Shop!</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/09/time-to-shop.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/09/time-to-shop.html" thr:count="0" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ef452af88340154358936eb970c</id>
        <published>2011-09-18T15:49:22-07:00</published>
        <updated>2011-09-18T15:49:22-07:00</updated>
        <summary />
        <author>
            <name>Karen  Otto</name>
        </author>
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834014e8ba9ae9d970d-pi" style="display: inline;" /><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834015391b60134970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5025" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af8834015391b60134970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834015391b60134970b-320wi" title="IMG_5025" /></a> </p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>The Consequence of Living~Thank You, Amy</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/07/the-consequence-of-livingthank-you-amy.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/07/the-consequence-of-livingthank-you-amy.html" thr:count="2" thr:updated="2011-08-12T17:38:00-07:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ef452af8834015433f44177970c</id>
        <published>2011-07-23T19:37:47-07:00</published>
        <updated>2011-07-23T19:50:33-07:00</updated>
        <summary>To anyone who loves jazz, the sultry sounds of soul or the infusion of the 'Motown Sound' in their music, the news of Amy Winehouse dying today can only come as an enormous loss. Greedily, I wish she would have...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Karen  Otto</name>
        </author>
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401539020e57f970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5173" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401539020e57f970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401539020e57f970b-320wi" title="IMG_5173" /></a> <br /><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401539020e5d8970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5174" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401539020e5d8970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401539020e5d8970b-320wi" title="IMG_5174" /></a> <br /><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401539020e629970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5175" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401539020e629970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401539020e629970b-320wi" title="IMG_5175" /></a> <br /><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834015433f43784970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5176" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af8834015433f43784970c" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834015433f43784970c-320wi" title="IMG_5176" /></a> <br /><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401539020e6d1970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5177" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401539020e6d1970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401539020e6d1970b-320wi" title="IMG_5177" /></a> <br /><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834015433f43823970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5180" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af8834015433f43823970c" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834015433f43823970c-320wi" title="IMG_5180" /></a> <br />To anyone who loves jazz, the sultry sounds of soul or the infusion of the 'Motown Sound' in their music, the news of Amy Winehouse dying today can only come as an enormous loss. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Greedily, I wish she would have out-lived me.  I wanted to listen to her when she was middle-aged, knew her body and her soul, and knew her music could get her through anything.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">She was fresh, she was different, she was once in a lifetime.  Her influences in the music that survives her by other artists is so apparent, and yet Amy is now gone and those who mimicked her sound will go on.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I think she must have been an old soul;  who else sings like that?  Who else lives that hard and rushes that headlong into the night?  How ever tortured and lost she seemed to have been, we are so lucky that Amy found her voice.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I hope she's at peace now. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">You no longer have to wrestle with the cage, Amy. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> You are free.</p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>                                   The Perfect Long Weekend</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/07/-the-perfect-long-weekend.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/07/-the-perfect-long-weekend.html" thr:count="0" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ef452af883401538f99ef88970b</id>
        <published>2011-07-04T00:05:00-07:00</published>
        <updated>2011-07-04T00:05:00-07:00</updated>
        <summary>I've been trying to decide what to do with this perfect weather and this fabulous long weekend... So many choices--- a girl wouldn't want to waste a second of it doing the wrong thing... Now it comes to me! With...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Karen  Otto</name>
        </author>
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><em>I've been trying to decide what to do with this perfect weather and this fabulous long weekend...</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><em><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340154336d3a51970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5167" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af88340154336d3a51970c" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340154336d3a51970c-320wi" title="IMG_5167" /></a> <br />So many choices--- a girl wouldn't want to waste a second of it doing the wrong thing...</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><em><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340154336d3b56970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5170" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af88340154336d3b56970c" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340154336d3b56970c-320wi" title="IMG_5170" /></a> <br />Now it comes to me!</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><em><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834014e898d3421970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5172" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af8834014e898d3421970d" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834014e898d3421970d-320wi" title="IMG_5172" /></a> <br />With thanks to the men and women who have given all there is to give for our freedom to think, say and be--- whatever we want--- in this country of ours.</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><em>With thanks to the families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones in the midst of the battles fought over time to call this America, governed by the People, still struggling to find it's way.</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><em>With thanks to those Patriots and Protesters who have forever changed the way we are able to write, worship and live each day.</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><em>Have a safe and happy INDEPENDENCE DAY and light a sparkler for me!</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><em> </em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><em> </em></span></p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>                                               Chacun à son goût...</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/07/-chacun-%C3%A0-son-go%C3%BBt.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/07/-chacun-%C3%A0-son-go%C3%BBt.html" thr:count="2" thr:updated="2011-07-05T17:29:24-07:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ef452af883401538f99d592970b</id>
        <published>2011-07-02T15:25:46-07:00</published>
        <updated>2011-07-02T15:27:44-07:00</updated>
        <summary>Ah, the thrill of a new love... The way it makes you swoon with it's details... The way you have to keep moving it, from this place to that... Wishing you had more of it, enough for everywhere you looked......</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Karen  Otto</name>
        </author>
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p style="text-align: center;"><em> <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340154336d1cbc970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5158" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af88340154336d1cbc970c" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340154336d1cbc970c-320wi" title="IMG_5158" /></a> </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Ah, the thrill of a new love...</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538f99c853970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5159" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401538f99c853970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538f99c853970b-320wi" title="IMG_5159" /></a> <br />The way it makes you swoon with it's details...</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538f99c965970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5160" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401538f99c965970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538f99c965970b-320wi" title="IMG_5160" /></a> <br />The way you have to keep moving it, from this place to that...</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af88340154336d1f4a970c-pi" style="display: inline;" /><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538f99cb14970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5162" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401538f99cb14970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538f99cb14970b-320wi" title="IMG_5162" /></a> <br />Wishing you had more of it, enough for everywhere you looked...</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538f99cc2d970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5155" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401538f99cc2d970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538f99cc2d970b-320wi" title="IMG_5155" /></a> <br />Some people want perfection.  Some people want new.  I am not one of those people (you've noticed by now, right?)  I love the look of age and history--  of an item having had a life, long before it came to be with me.  I've been like this since I was a child, so don't think it's because I am getting older that I suddenly want to be surrounded by decaying beauty.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538f99cf63970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5165" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401538f99cf63970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538f99cf63970b-320wi" title="IMG_5165" /></a> <br />Besides, there's always plenty of time for new and fresh.  As the French say, "Chacun à son goût."  Ah yes...  "Each one has it's own taste" indeed. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>I hope you are surrounded by the things that make YOUR heart sing.<br /><br /><br /></em></p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Peeps on the Horizon</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/04/peeps-on-the-horizon.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/2011/04/peeps-on-the-horizon.html" thr:count="2" thr:updated="2011-04-26T19:11:20-07:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ef452af883401538e166501970b</id>
        <published>2011-04-23T17:55:36-07:00</published>
        <updated>2011-04-23T17:56:48-07:00</updated>
        <summary>I don't know about the weather where you are, but where I am it's finally sunny (right now, that is) and really looks as if there could be Spring on the way! As I look out the window, there is...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Karen  Otto</name>
        </author>
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://amusements.typepad.com/amusements/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p style="text-align: center;"> <br />  <a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af8834015431e97351970c-pi" style="display: inline;">         </a><a href="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538e166584970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Stuff for blog" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00e54ef452af883401538e166584970b" src="http://amusements.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef452af883401538e166584970b-320wi" title="Stuff for blog" /></a> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13pt;"><em>I don't know about the weather where you are, but where I am it's finally sunny (right now, that is) and really looks as if there could be Spring on the way!  As I look out the window, there is a gorgeous Stellar Jay making his way to the bird feeder, so things are definitely looking up!</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13pt;"><em>I have been so lousy about posting that I actually had to THINK to get my photo collage on the page. </em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13pt;"><em> That's when you realize you've been 'gone too long.'  If nothing else, I'll have to be more timely about my ramblings so I don't forget how to do this all together!  (And I don't want any snide comments left about my age, senility, or anything like that.... although I AM having trouble remembering where I stashed all the Easter candy).</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13pt;"><em>Wishing you a really wonderful Easter, spent with family and friends...making great memories. Oh! And don't forget to punch a couple holes in the Peeps package, so they can stiffen-up to perrrrrfection!</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino; font-size: 15pt;"><em>~<strong>Happy Easter~    ~Joyeuses Pâques~</strong></em></span></p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
 
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