Mellow as the Month of May

Like last year, we had much better luck finding unopened tulips at the grocery store than at the garden centre. We took all they had!


If the weather stays seasonably mild, they should last two to three weeks.

San Diego

In San Diego, we revisited some of our favourite spots.

Shelter Island

Shelter Island's marina

La Jolla

La Jolla is a northern suburb known for its scenic cove...

...and its exclusive boutiques, where even dogs and cats feel at home.

                                                       Point Cabrillo

Seaport Village

I wrote at a window table at Upstart Crow.

Valentine's Day spectacular sunset

These yachts have a great view of the Coronado Bridge.

At Balboa Park, we revisited the Air and Space Museum and saw some new things, too.

Balboa Park 

At the Automotive Museum we saw a vintage MG!

1932 Morgan, an ancestor of the MG

The Jaguar is always gorgeous, whether it's new or old.

The Air and Space Museum's balcony overlooks busy Highway 5.

Coronado

On our last day we visited Coronado Island. They call it an island, but it's really a separate city and a peninsula. You either have to go over the mile-long blue Coronado Bridge or take a much longer, but scenic, inland route to get there over the Silver Strand. 

The Hotel Del Coronado was built in 1888 and is an historical landmark. "Some Like It Hot" was  filmed there in 1958. The Prince of Wales and Mrs. Simpson probably met there at a party in the 1920s.
I like to write in the hotel's bar which overlooks the Pacific. 

Moo Time Creamery 

Remembering Echo

Echo

 

March 20, 2001 - February 24, 2016 

 

 

Breed:                       Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog)

Occupation:             Model, Philosopher, Poet, Blue Jays Shortstop (retired)

Hobbies:                   Leash Dancing, Napping, Guarding the Bathroom

 

 As a puppy, his nose was partly pink.

 

 Flying Superpuppy. This is not PhotoShopped.

About age 2.

BELIEVE YOU'RE A PUPPY

And Other Advice From Echo

Accept compliments graciously. (They're all true anyway.)

Keep nudging for treats.

Rules for effective nudging:

1. Gently touch your human with your nose.

2. Observe every time your human puts food on her fork. Watch the trajectory carefully. If it falls on the floor, it's yours!

3. If your human eats too neatly, put your head on her thigh and gaze adoringly at her. Works every time.

Eat each meal as if someone were going to take it away from you.

Keep nudging for treats.

Life is an eat-all-you-can buffet table.

Flowerbed fences provide a high-jumping challenge.

Guard the door from invasions by mail, newspapers and advertising flyers.

Chinese Food Delivery requires your utmost vigilance. Stay near the front door, in High Alert mode. The food could come at any time. Bark at any sound that might be a delivery car in the driveway. (You don't want it to get cold, do you?)

Keep nudging for treats.

Greet new dogs with a polite sniff, circle, leash tangle, and play invitation.

A well-timed burp is an excellent way to participate in human conversation.

Human "garbage" is often the tastiest of treats.

"Birthday" is a ridiculous human concept. Accept the praise and the extra treats, but otherwise, ignore it. 

You're a puppy as long as you believe you're a puppy.

Always believe you're a puppy.

Dance with your leash.

Copyright 2014, Barbara Etlin.

ANTIQUE PIANO & OTHER SOUR NOTES

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Leave your Darth Vader helmet at home

Last week I ordered two tickets online to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Wednesday. My tickets were emailed to me for me to print out.

On Tuesday, I received this email from the movie theatre:

"Fans are encouraged to enhance their Star Wars experience by wearing costumes at theatres across Canada, but props and toys that could become tripping hazards or impair vision in a theatre are best left at home. Guests are prohibited from wearing masks ..."

Owl pellets!

I was all set to wear my Darth Vader helmet, with the 3D glasses on top... ;-)

Migration: a haiku

strange migrating bird
circles south on gusts of wind--
plastic garbage bag


Copyright Barbara Etlin 2015, all rights reserved

Surprise Birthday Party

On Saturday night we were guests at a surprise party for my friend's birthday.

We hid in the back room of Paintlounge West Toronto until she and her husband arrived...

S U R P R I S E !

She was really surprised!!!

For the next two hours, the guests and the birthday lady either made individual acrylic paintings or collaborated with someone. 

At first M and I were intimidated by the idea of making a work of art, especially in public, but it was surprisingly fun. We were all beginners, together. And everyone was supportive. A couple of staff artists were on hand for information or help.

Acrylics dry fast, so there was no time for "painters' block."

M and I collaborated on this painting.

Today would have been the birthday of my late friend and cover designer, Kevin Slattery. I like to think he peered over my shoulder as I painted, encouraging me to have fun.

Echo's Glass Ceiling

Echo's Glass Ceiling

You may think you know what the glass ceiling is: the barrier which limits your progress towards attaining the job or goal you want.

Echo knows the true meaning, especially when nudging for treats while we're having a meal.

I wouldn't need to nudge if the glass ceiling weren't there.