It has come to my attention that we need to review the rules.
Not regular rules, which are meant to be bent, broken, twisted and otherwise tossed aside with scandalous disregard, but Cardinal Rules. Guidelines and standards by which we live, and which are never, ever broken.
In order to provide an all encompassing and comprehensive list, I have requested the assistance of four incomparable women who are wise, witty, experienced, strong, open minded and walk through each day with humor and a good woman's grace.
Welcome to Minx of The Inner Minx, Sognatrice of Bleeding Espresso, Heart of Guilty With an Explanation, and Vanilla of Absolute Vanilla. Thank you for your assistance ladies, I couldn't have designed a better team to produce these essential life rules.
We will feature each ladies Cardinal Rules for one day this week.
Cardinal Rules
Sognatrice's Cardinal Rules
Per Sognatrice's request, this is a second publishing of a post she wrote when she turned 31, and it's completely appropriate for this project. Thanks Sognatrice!
31 Things I’ve Learned in My 31 Years
1. Family members can be friends and friends can be like family members.
2. Laughing until your stomach hurts should happen at least once a day.
3. Being alone does not have to mean being lonely.
4. Dreaming is essential to living.
5. When what others want and what you want differ, trust your instincts.
6. Dogs are woman’s best friend too.
7. Sometimes love really isn’t enough.
8. Broken hearts should be worn with pride; it means you dared to love.
9. Peanut butter goes with everything.
10. Fireplaces, books, and blankets rule, especially when enjoyed together.
11. Inclement weather and important appointments are like peas and carrots.
12. Trying new things and meeting new people keep life interesting.
13. You can’t control what others do, but you can control how you react to them.
14. Stepping and/or kneeling on tacks hurts. A lot. Avoid it.
15. Love can be found in the wind.
16. Trust is a choice.
17. Innards for dinner do nothing for me.
18. The shower is a good place to cry.
19. Living simply helps others simply live.
20. Being wrong isn’t failure, it’s human.
21. Everything happens for a reason.
22. Sleeping, particularly napping, is underrated.
23. Being the bigger person isn’t always easy, but it’s always rewarding.
24. The sound of someone’s voice can be the most beautiful music in the world.
25. You don’t need to meet someone in person to develop a close relationship.
26. Success and happiness are best defined individually, i.e., by each person.
27. Appreciating small, good things makes dealing with big, bad things easier.
28. Homemade is always better.
29. Being accessible 24 hours a day is annoying.
30. The best way to learn a foreign language is full, painful-at-times immersion.
31. Moving ahead is easier if you understand where you’ve been.
____________________________________
Thank you so very much Cara! What a wonderful list, and all of it so true!
Tomorrow will be our last installment of Cardinal Rules, don't miss it!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Cardinal Rules III
It has come to my attention that we need to review the rules.
Not regular rules, which are meant to be bent, broken, twisted and otherwise tossed aside with scandalous disregard, but Cardinal Rules. Guidelines and standards by which we live, and which are never, ever broken.
In order to provide an all encompassing and comprehensive list, I have requested the assistance of four incomparable women who are wise, witty, experienced, strong, open minded and walk through each day with humor and a good woman's grace.
Welcome to Minx of The Inner Minx, Sognatrice of Bleeding Espresso, Heart of Guilty With an Explanation, and Vanilla of Absolute Vanilla. Thank you for your assistance ladies, I couldn't have designed a better team to produce these essential life rules.
We will feature each ladies Cardinal Rules for one day this week.
Cardinal Rules
Minx's Cardinal Rules
1. The biggest wardrobe is ours by right. You can have the small one in the spare bedroom and the old chest of drawers in the garage.
2. Supportive undergarments are never talked about in public and we don't own any anyway. The one you might have seen belongs to a fat friend.
3. Shoes are bought in bulk, it is the law.
4. We reserve the right to hate something once we get it home and can store it in your (small) wardrobe for the next five years.
5. Mirrors lie all the time but you are expected to tell the truth!
6. New boots always come with a free pair of jeans, a new top, a scarf and that lovely jacket that you've had your eye on for ages.
7. A coat is never bought to keep the rain off. We have cars for that.
8. Our bum's never look big in anything, but the bum walking down the street in front of us is allowed to be huge, absolutely huge.
9. A nod from behind the paper is not the answer we are looking for when we have inquired whether we look okay. "You look nice" is enough to send us running for a change of clothes.
10. It is perfectly acceptable to wear your best t-shirt to bed and to drop chocolate pudding all over it but unless you have a death wish don't ever put any of our clothes on - ever.
11. Female underwear is made to fall apart after six washes - it is a design fault.
12. "No, of course it's not new. I bought it in the sale last year" is always the gospel truth. Would I lie to you?
______________________________________
Thank you so very much, Miss Minx! What a fabulous list!
Words to live by, unquestionably.
Come back tomorrow for Sognatrice's Cardinal Rules!
Not regular rules, which are meant to be bent, broken, twisted and otherwise tossed aside with scandalous disregard, but Cardinal Rules. Guidelines and standards by which we live, and which are never, ever broken.
In order to provide an all encompassing and comprehensive list, I have requested the assistance of four incomparable women who are wise, witty, experienced, strong, open minded and walk through each day with humor and a good woman's grace.
Welcome to Minx of The Inner Minx, Sognatrice of Bleeding Espresso, Heart of Guilty With an Explanation, and Vanilla of Absolute Vanilla. Thank you for your assistance ladies, I couldn't have designed a better team to produce these essential life rules.
We will feature each ladies Cardinal Rules for one day this week.
Cardinal Rules
Minx's Cardinal Rules
1. The biggest wardrobe is ours by right. You can have the small one in the spare bedroom and the old chest of drawers in the garage.
2. Supportive undergarments are never talked about in public and we don't own any anyway. The one you might have seen belongs to a fat friend.
3. Shoes are bought in bulk, it is the law.
4. We reserve the right to hate something once we get it home and can store it in your (small) wardrobe for the next five years.
5. Mirrors lie all the time but you are expected to tell the truth!
6. New boots always come with a free pair of jeans, a new top, a scarf and that lovely jacket that you've had your eye on for ages.
7. A coat is never bought to keep the rain off. We have cars for that.
8. Our bum's never look big in anything, but the bum walking down the street in front of us is allowed to be huge, absolutely huge.
9. A nod from behind the paper is not the answer we are looking for when we have inquired whether we look okay. "You look nice" is enough to send us running for a change of clothes.
10. It is perfectly acceptable to wear your best t-shirt to bed and to drop chocolate pudding all over it but unless you have a death wish don't ever put any of our clothes on - ever.
11. Female underwear is made to fall apart after six washes - it is a design fault.
12. "No, of course it's not new. I bought it in the sale last year" is always the gospel truth. Would I lie to you?
______________________________________
Thank you so very much, Miss Minx! What a fabulous list!
Words to live by, unquestionably.
Come back tomorrow for Sognatrice's Cardinal Rules!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Cardinal Rules II
It has come to my attention that we need to review the rules.
Not regular rules, which are meant to be bent, broken, twisted and otherwise tossed aside with scandalous disregard, but Cardinal Rules. Guidelines and standards by which we live, and which are never, ever broken.
In order to provide an all encompassing and comprehensive list, I have requested the assistance of four incomparable women who are wise, witty, experienced, strong, open minded and walk through each day with humor and a good woman's grace.
Welcome to Minx of The Inner Minx, Sognatrice of Bleeding Espresso, Heart of Guilty With an Explanation, and Vanilla of Absolute Vanilla. Thank you for your assistance ladies, I couldn't have designed a better team to produce these essential life rules.
We will feature each ladies Cardinal Rules for one day this week.
Cardinal Rules
Heart at Guilty With An Explanation
1. Don't worry about what people think; they don't do it very often.
2. Treat service people politely and respectfully. Someone who is nice to friends but rude to the waiter is not a nice person.
3. Never, ever ask someone when her baby is due unless you know for a fact that she is really pregnant.
4. Never try to convert anyone to your religious beliefs. This is arrogant and demeaning and will always be resented. Besides, everyone's views are equally valid.
5. Always try to support and build up your friends. If you can't do that in honesty, they shouldn't be your friends.
________________________________________
Thank you very much, Heart! Excellent list.
Come back tomorrow for more Cardinal Rules!
Not regular rules, which are meant to be bent, broken, twisted and otherwise tossed aside with scandalous disregard, but Cardinal Rules. Guidelines and standards by which we live, and which are never, ever broken.
In order to provide an all encompassing and comprehensive list, I have requested the assistance of four incomparable women who are wise, witty, experienced, strong, open minded and walk through each day with humor and a good woman's grace.
Welcome to Minx of The Inner Minx, Sognatrice of Bleeding Espresso, Heart of Guilty With an Explanation, and Vanilla of Absolute Vanilla. Thank you for your assistance ladies, I couldn't have designed a better team to produce these essential life rules.
We will feature each ladies Cardinal Rules for one day this week.
Cardinal Rules
Heart at Guilty With An Explanation
1. Don't worry about what people think; they don't do it very often.
2. Treat service people politely and respectfully. Someone who is nice to friends but rude to the waiter is not a nice person.
3. Never, ever ask someone when her baby is due unless you know for a fact that she is really pregnant.
4. Never try to convert anyone to your religious beliefs. This is arrogant and demeaning and will always be resented. Besides, everyone's views are equally valid.
5. Always try to support and build up your friends. If you can't do that in honesty, they shouldn't be your friends.
________________________________________
Thank you very much, Heart! Excellent list.
Come back tomorrow for more Cardinal Rules!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Cardinal Rules I
It has come to my attention that we need to review the rules.
Not regular rules, which are meant to be bent, broken, twisted and otherwise tossed aside with scandalous disregard, but Cardinal Rules. Guidelines and standards by which we live, and which are never, ever broken.
In order to provide an all encompassing and comprehensive list, I have requested the assistance of four incomparable women who are wise, witty, experienced, strong, open minded and walk through each day with humor and a good woman's grace.
Welcome to Minx of The Inner Minx, Sognatrice of Bleeding Espresso, Heart of Guilty With an Explanation, and Vanilla of Absolute Vanilla. Thank you for your assistance ladies, I couldn't have designed a better team to produce these essential life rules.
We will feature each ladies Cardinal Rules for one day this week.
Cardinal Rules
Absolute Vanilla's Cardinal Rules:
Some (but by no means all!) Cardinal Rules:
If you don't want to know the truth, don't ask for it.
If you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything.
If aren't willing to play nicely, don't play at all.
Play nicely, but don't be a doormat. I mean, do you really want everyone's dirt rubbing off on you?
Set your boundaries, or run the risk of invasion.
Men, like grizzly bears, need their caves. Respect that and just let them be - or run the risk of being growled at or bitten.
If you want a strong willed person to do something, let them believe it was their idea. (How one achieves this is generally beyond me!)
If you want to get slim - don't eat carbs after lunchtime.
If you really want to get thin - don't eat sugar. Yes, that's right, put those jelly beans down now!
Laugh every day. Sing in the shower. Have fun. Smile at strangers. Talk to and cuddle animals. Hug trees. And practice mindfulness.
Walk tall and believe in yourself - you'll feel so much better about you and your life. Oh go on, try it, I dare you!
Practice positive affirmations - and do it in the present tense. So it's not "I want to be a successful published author", but "I am a successful published author". Now go and practice signing autographs!
Love yourself and know you're beautiful. Smile at yourself in the mirror. See, there you go - you are beautiful and lovable.
Know that all is one.
___________________________________
Thank you so much Vanilla!
Come back each day this week for more Cardinal Rules.
Not regular rules, which are meant to be bent, broken, twisted and otherwise tossed aside with scandalous disregard, but Cardinal Rules. Guidelines and standards by which we live, and which are never, ever broken.
In order to provide an all encompassing and comprehensive list, I have requested the assistance of four incomparable women who are wise, witty, experienced, strong, open minded and walk through each day with humor and a good woman's grace.
Welcome to Minx of The Inner Minx, Sognatrice of Bleeding Espresso, Heart of Guilty With an Explanation, and Vanilla of Absolute Vanilla. Thank you for your assistance ladies, I couldn't have designed a better team to produce these essential life rules.
We will feature each ladies Cardinal Rules for one day this week.
Cardinal Rules
Absolute Vanilla's Cardinal Rules:
Some (but by no means all!) Cardinal Rules:
If you don't want to know the truth, don't ask for it.
If you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything.
If aren't willing to play nicely, don't play at all.
Play nicely, but don't be a doormat. I mean, do you really want everyone's dirt rubbing off on you?
Set your boundaries, or run the risk of invasion.
Men, like grizzly bears, need their caves. Respect that and just let them be - or run the risk of being growled at or bitten.
If you want a strong willed person to do something, let them believe it was their idea. (How one achieves this is generally beyond me!)
If you want to get slim - don't eat carbs after lunchtime.
If you really want to get thin - don't eat sugar. Yes, that's right, put those jelly beans down now!
Laugh every day. Sing in the shower. Have fun. Smile at strangers. Talk to and cuddle animals. Hug trees. And practice mindfulness.
Walk tall and believe in yourself - you'll feel so much better about you and your life. Oh go on, try it, I dare you!
Practice positive affirmations - and do it in the present tense. So it's not "I want to be a successful published author", but "I am a successful published author". Now go and practice signing autographs!
Love yourself and know you're beautiful. Smile at yourself in the mirror. See, there you go - you are beautiful and lovable.
Know that all is one.
___________________________________
Thank you so much Vanilla!
Come back each day this week for more Cardinal Rules.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Passport Stamps
"Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving ... we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it -- but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Submarine Races
One of the lesser known but extremely popular sporting events here in Denver are the annual submarine races.
It's a very special time, as the lakes that are big enough for the submarines to race in are only thawed for a few weeks at the end of July, and here we are at that time again!
It's quite a thrill to experience it, and I am so glad that I could share it with you.
I was very lucky to capture this impossible shot, just at the moment that the Nautilus eclipsed the nose of the Seawolf and won the day. Go Captain Nemo!!
....what?
It's a submarine race, what were you expecting to see?
It's a very special time, as the lakes that are big enough for the submarines to race in are only thawed for a few weeks at the end of July, and here we are at that time again!
It's quite a thrill to experience it, and I am so glad that I could share it with you.
I was very lucky to capture this impossible shot, just at the moment that the Nautilus eclipsed the nose of the Seawolf and won the day. Go Captain Nemo!!
....what?
It's a submarine race, what were you expecting to see?
Friday, July 18, 2008
True Fairy Tales
The world is full of castles. I love many of them for different reasons, but my favorite is the Neuschwanstein Castle in the heart of Germany. This is a fairytale castle, created by a fairytale king... the mysterious King Ludwig II.
A very romantic dreamer, adored by women, a knight and a proud leader; he loved art, acting and music, so much so that he brought composer Robert Wagner to the palace and for many years was his patron. Wagner said, "... Today I was brought to him. He is unfortunately so beautiful and wise, soulful and lordly, that I fear his life must fade away like a divine dream in this base world... You cannot imagine the magic of his regard: if he remains alive it will be a great miracle!"
King Ludwig II created an unrealistic fairytale kingdom around himself. He began to sleep during the day and spend his waking hours at night, traveling then (often in costume), by fanciful coach or sleigh.
He intertwined his fascination with the Holy Grail into his life and his palace, and as years passed, he began to retreat into his castle more and more often, where reality almost didn't exist. In a tragic, heartbreaking twist, he was removed from the throne by reason of mental incompetency, and shortly thereafter, he and the psychiatrist who declared him insane were both found dead in a lake.
This castle, its history and its fairytale king appeal to me on several levels, but more than any single reason, simply because there are times when I wish I could step into a dream and live in it for a long while... and he did. It delights me that someone, somewhere in time, was able to do that. He did it beautifully, and it's still there for others to come share in it, in a very small way... to step into his dream and walk through the echoes of it that fill his halls and his countryside.
He may not have known it, but he is also a member of the League of Dreamers... and by default, that is an eternal company of souls.
Ludwig II as the Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of St George. G. Schachinger, Munich, 1887.
Thanks to the Neuschwanstein Castle website for the photographs.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Testament to Love
I don't remember how old I was the first time I saw the image of the Taj Mahal. I could not tell you when I learned about its history and purpose. A mausoleum built by a grieving man for the love of his life who left this world. 
It touched my heart deeply, from the first moment I saw it. It spoke a language of real and true love to that ever hopeful romantic in my heart. An object of devotion in memorial to a love that could not be measured or eclipsed in beauty, not even by this incredible monument to it.
This grand effort to express the strongest emotion of any human heart is considered sacred, is magnificent, and is still visited by multitudes of people every day. It is a wonder of our world. It is a wonder of humanity. It is a wonder of the heart.
Tokens of love come in countless forms... flowers, rings, art, music, structures, and on and on... and on, again. But all of them could never really capture that precious gift that cannot be bought or stolen or forced, that gift that can only be gotten by one when it is given sincerely and freely by another; the gift of love. We offer it without cost, when it is truly given.
Love transcends everything... time, people, places, even human form (think of love given from and within the animal kingdom).
There is no force more powerful or more tender in existence. It is the essence of life. It is boundless... and it is essential.
Give it at every chance, there is no greater gift that can be given.
Thanks to Angelfire for the breathtaking photograph.
It touched my heart deeply, from the first moment I saw it. It spoke a language of real and true love to that ever hopeful romantic in my heart. An object of devotion in memorial to a love that could not be measured or eclipsed in beauty, not even by this incredible monument to it.
This grand effort to express the strongest emotion of any human heart is considered sacred, is magnificent, and is still visited by multitudes of people every day. It is a wonder of our world. It is a wonder of humanity. It is a wonder of the heart.
Tokens of love come in countless forms... flowers, rings, art, music, structures, and on and on... and on, again. But all of them could never really capture that precious gift that cannot be bought or stolen or forced, that gift that can only be gotten by one when it is given sincerely and freely by another; the gift of love. We offer it without cost, when it is truly given.
Love transcends everything... time, people, places, even human form (think of love given from and within the animal kingdom).
There is no force more powerful or more tender in existence. It is the essence of life. It is boundless... and it is essential.
Give it at every chance, there is no greater gift that can be given.
Thanks to Angelfire for the breathtaking photograph.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
In Thoughts Of You
My avatar is Jack Vettriano's "In Thoughts Of You", for a few reasons. First and foremost, I love a lot of Vettriano's work. Secondly, this particular painting feels so familiar to me, almost as though I were the woman sitting in the chair looking out of the window. And lastly, it's a metaphor for so many moments in my life; perhaps you noticed the draped chair she is in, and the black attire; someone has passed away and she is leaving the home that was theirs. The room is empty save for the few items pictured, covered, and she sits staring out the window as she sips tea. Thinking of the one who has passed away, before she leaves.
Roads ahead... paths behind... this painting is a metaphorical crossroads, and I often find myself at various crossroads where I stop to consider things.
I contemplate where I've been, where I want to be, and what roads may take me there. And I try to think of every aspect; my own and those of others.
I am waiting at one right now, as a matter of fact. Sitting in this chair, sipping my tea and looking out of the window before me... deciphering that which is not yet clear to me.
Considering
Examining
Wondering
Wandering...
Found...
And lost again, In Thoughts of You.
Just a few of my favorite Vettriano works:
The Singing Butler
Dance Me To The End Of Love
The Billy Boys
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