Jeweled Lamp

 Last week, Maria and I went to lunch at the Malibu Seafood restaurant on the PCH.

We ate our  fish and chips high above the Pacific, while the  dolphins  surfaced and dove into the  sky blue water.   It was a  beautiful clear day.

    Not wanting the afternoon to end, we went down to Cross Creek to window shop. I took her into the store called, Malibu Colony Company. It is a wonderful store full of luxurious beauty.

            While Tina, one of the owners, and Maria talked, I studied a couple of figurines embellished with  bits of jewelry.  I went  home that night and started this lamp. 

I've been hoarding  broken jewelry for a while, I guess, for this reason.

Puffy Hot Cloud

I love clouds. I'm a veteran of lying on the ground and looking up.

I've taken  countless photos of them, because, I wanted to learn how to paint them.

These clouds, while gorgeous, are not welcomed here. They bring hot and humid weather to the San Fernando valley.  We've had over 100 degrees for 2 weeks. I know,  the rest of the country is worse off, and I feel for them. It's a horrifyingly dry summer for everyone. I'm told there is drought every 40 years. It that's true, this is the time.

But, in November, these clouds are accompanied by cool temps. So, let's say goodbye, cumulus, until Fall.

My Friend Sue Is Tray Crazy

I was  visiting my friend Sue this week and hadn't before  checked out her tray collection. 

         I'm sure, as collectors, like most of you are, you've seen these trays at thrift stores, swap meets,

etc.  I see one here and there and thought ok it looks kinda nice, but never pick it up. 

           Well,  as a collection, they are  beautiful. There are all shapes, sizes and colors. She has most of what's been manufactured. She says she never sees anything new. I love how Sue has  displayed her collection.

Another Birthday For My Poor Feet...

          What I've done to my feet in these 62 years should be a federal offense.  Running barefoot around town when I was small, riding a  wooden skateboard barefoot when I was 12, and roller skating  50 miles a weekend for 3 years.  And discoing 3 nights a week, for the whole decade of the  70's. 

                Of course that  didn't even come close to the  abuse they went through while I was addicted to Charles Jordan high heels, in the 80's. And then those  fabulous skinny flats with the toe cleavage from Allure.

          Try wearing  high heels  pushing a heavy rolling rack of clothes on the hilly streets of San Francisco. Standing for 12-15 hours a day, (for 3 continuous weeks 5 times a year), during  Market Weeks, were killers. Especially when we were in San Fran., because, of course, how can you be in San Francisco and not  sample the nightlife?!

           Well, now I'm paying for it.  I have a bunion on the left foot. No sexy shoes anymore, and I  just found out that, I have arthritis  in my right foot starting at the big toe. It is so painful, I can't  stand it. I'm on a regimen of  2 Advil 3 times a day. It's working  ok. I've even taken to wearing  "salon pas"  on my toe. 

 Geez Louise, what's going to happen when I'm 70? 

Shoes with velcro.... move over Mom.