THE “GRAND” DINNER
We had a very special evening at Gino’s Italian restaurant. It was “The Grand Dinner” for grandparents and grandchildren of the Johnston Clan. Jaspir and Ada enjoyed their favorite pizza. Roland twirled spaghetti and meatballs, while Paw indulged in a triple sized Calzone. I ordered a cup of the steak and potato soup. The waitress said I could get a bowl for a dollar more, so I agreed. They served me a cup of soup set inside an empty bowl. Crazy Italians! We all loved the breadsticks and we loved each other. Afterwards, we headed to Artesian for a fancy caramel-lemon muffin that was hand-made by Ada! Then we todddled home and slept soundly in the after-glow of amore!

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GRAPEVINE GRAPPLE
When Keith was a little boy, there was a large brick chimney near the back door of his house. It was covered with grapevines. He’s a sentimental man and loves having grapevines in an area behind his studio we call The Vineyard. It makes for a very French vibe for dining and I love it too. Although the grapes have become jam a few times over the year, they are mostly for the birds. One of Keith’s annual rituals is trimming the vines and cutting the overgrowth off his studio roof. We feel so ancient when we tend living things.

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GRAPEVINE GRAPPLE
When Keith was a little boy, there was a large brick chimney near the back door of his house. It was covered with grapevines. He’s a sentimental man and loves having grapevines in an area behind his studio we call The Vineyard. It makes for a very French vibe for dining and I love it too. Although the grapes have become jam a few times over the year, they are mostly for the birds. One of Keith’s annual rituals is trimming the vines and cutting the overgrowth off his studio roof. We feel so ancient when we tend living things.

Read More

THE “GRAND” DINNER
We had a very special evening at Gino’s Italian restaurant. It was “The Grand Dinner” for grandparents and grandchildren of the Johnston Clan. Jaspir and Ada enjoyed their favorite pizza. Roland twirled spaghetti and meatballs, while Paw indulged in a triple sized Calzone. I ordered a cup of the steak and potato soup. The waitress said I could get a bowl for a dollar more, so I agreed. They served me a cup of soup set inside an empty bowl. Crazy Italians! We all loved the breadsticks and we loved each other. Afterwards, we headed to Artesian for a fancy caramel-lemon muffin that was hand-made by Ada! Then we todddled home and slept soundly in the after-glow of amore!

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PHOTO CONTEST ENTRIES - MARY
I entered all four photo categories just like Keith. My favorite is Shadow Walker in b/w. It is Keith and I recognize those work pants. They arer in my laundry almost every week. I love the sea glass color of the sssea gull, but it is a trite subject. I thought my title crapped it up a little. Then there is that gorgeous window at Thelma Center for the Arts. I love it, but my photo doesn’t capture how magnificent it is. Last, my cousin Arnie and his wife Perry out to lunch with us . A widow and widower who found love after love. It makes me so happy!

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PHOTO CONTEST ENTRIES - KEITH
Keith entered all four categories with his photos. My favorite is his portrait of Lilly. I think it is “painting-worthy.” His photo of calf tats on a guy he knows created a little controversy. Some people thought those were thighs, not calves. He actually only photographed one leg and photo-shopped a second to make dueling ravens. He’s also very proud of his keychain which was a gift to him from a different guy he knows. He has a lot of interesting and generous friends. Last, is me weeding the spaces between the stones. I refer to that and sweeping as my Sisyphus Tasks.

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DAILY DAISY LOVE NOTES
Although I am exceedingly grateful for Keith, I was trying to find a way to remind myself to share that appreciation more. I was inspired by a Daily Wisdom Quotes project I did last year. It will be part of my bedtime routine - making a little love note of thankfulness for something that happened during the day. Then i’ll text it to him during breakfast so I can savor the hug and kiss that comes back to me. What a great way to start the day!

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PHOTO CONTEST ENTRIES: KEITH
Keith entered all four categories with his photos. My favorite is his portrait of Lilly. I think it is “painting-worthy.” His photo of calf tats on a guy he knows created a little controversy. Some people thought those were thighs, not calves. He actually only photographed one leg and photo-shopped a second to make dueling ravens. He’s also very proud of his keychain which was a gift to him from a different guy he knows. He has a lot of interesting and generous friends. Last, is me weeding the spaces between the stones. I refer to that and sweeping as my Sisyphus Tasks.

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PHOTO CONTEST ENTRIES-MARY
I entered all four photo categories just like Keith. My favorite is Shadow Walker in b/w. It is Keith and I recognize those work pants. They arer in my laundry almost every week. I love the sea glass color of the sssea gull, but it is a trite subject. I thought my title crapped it up a little. Then there is that gorgeous window at Thelma Center for the Arts. I love it, but my photo doesn’t capture how magnificent it is. Last, my cousin Arnie and his wife Perry out to lunch with us . A widow and widower who found love after love. It makes me so happy!

Read More