Let us honor those who gave their lives so that we can be free! With deepest gratitude to our heroes who paid the ultimate price.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Earth Day, 2012
Earth day is Sunday, April 22. The first Earth Day was observed across the United States on April 22, 1970. It came from a grass roots level as an effort to raise awareness about environmental issues. The result was a focused national political agenda of urgent environmental concerns. Subsequently the Environmental Protection Agency was formed. Through the EPA huge strides were made in reducing pollution and protecting the environment.
Since that first Earth Day millions of people around the world have participated in Earth Day activities to improve the ecological health of our planet.
This year in Sonoma local environmental organizations have planned community projects to clean up the creeks in the area, to help rid them of trash and pollutants. The creeks flow into San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. There are similar activities all over the country.
Since that first Earth Day in 1970 the population of the Earth has doubled. Something to think about.
We need to take care of our Earth - she's the only planet we've got!
Since that first Earth Day millions of people around the world have participated in Earth Day activities to improve the ecological health of our planet.
This year in Sonoma local environmental organizations have planned community projects to clean up the creeks in the area, to help rid them of trash and pollutants. The creeks flow into San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. There are similar activities all over the country.
Since that first Earth Day in 1970 the population of the Earth has doubled. Something to think about.
We need to take care of our Earth - she's the only planet we've got!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
AN IRISH BLESSING:
May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you, and may you be in heaven
a half hour before the devil knows you're dead.
May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you, and may you be in heaven
a half hour before the devil knows you're dead.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Handmade gemstone jewelry - New Earrings!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day!!
"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."
(The last words of the last song on the last Beatles album.)
(The last words of the last song on the last Beatles album.)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Celebrate Your Heart!
Valentine's Day is a day of romance. My husband is a romantic guy and we celebrate Valentine's Day in a big way. But I have long thought of Valentine's Day as a time to think of the people who have been in my life and have touched my heart. The people who are part of who I am. The ones who were there along the way as family and friends, and friends as close as family. The friends who came and never left, even through the really difficult times.
I used to love to send cards and little presents to my grandmothers for Valentine's Day, especially as they became quite old. They were always there for me and were so special, as grandmothers are. They were so big hearted and because they had been through hard times, they were as strong as granite. And I used to like to take flowers and cards to my parents who had given me so much along the way, including some great fun times.
In our culture we have days to remember the valiant souls who fought for us, and the heroes who died for our freedom. But we have no one day to stop and honor the heroes of our hearts - those who were there for us when we were young and those who are with us now, and those who are no longer on this earth but who will ever be with us. So as we are celebrating Valentine's Day, let us celebrate our heart, and the hearts of all of those we love. The purest place on this earth is the human heart.
I used to love to send cards and little presents to my grandmothers for Valentine's Day, especially as they became quite old. They were always there for me and were so special, as grandmothers are. They were so big hearted and because they had been through hard times, they were as strong as granite. And I used to like to take flowers and cards to my parents who had given me so much along the way, including some great fun times.
In our culture we have days to remember the valiant souls who fought for us, and the heroes who died for our freedom. But we have no one day to stop and honor the heroes of our hearts - those who were there for us when we were young and those who are with us now, and those who are no longer on this earth but who will ever be with us. So as we are celebrating Valentine's Day, let us celebrate our heart, and the hearts of all of those we love. The purest place on this earth is the human heart.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Handmade Gemstone Jewelry - at the gem show
Blue fire labradorite
Pearls, ametrine, aquamarine
Old blue gem turquoise
Going to a gem show is a grand adventure if you're a gemstone junkie. I walk in the door and it's just like it was when we went to the toy store when we were kids. Everything is so cool I want it all. Everything looks so pretty on the surface, but just like men, you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the handsome prince! Gems are very expensive and there are at least as many undesirable gemstones as desirable ones.
Always near the front door is the man who sells the really nice, clear gemstones. Amethysts, spinel, labradorite, citrine, tourmaline, aquamarine. All really, really expensive, and all AAA quality. Exquisitely beautiful gemstones in briolettes, rondelles, pendants, rounds, teardrops, barrel shaped. However, one has to be careful to not get an expensive bead or two with serious flaws and to not overpay - it's definitely possible to get fleeced.
Then it's off to find some good pearls. There are a lot of pearl dealers at gem shows but amazingly, few good pearls. At the last show I finally found a seller who had some really nice pearls. Again, pearls of all sizes, shapes and prices. I could really get into trouble at these shows.
Then I walk past rows and rows of awful gemstones looking for good ones. I have an interesting reaction to gem stones. When I see awful gemstones I feel rather icky. It's the feeling we all get when we look at something rather unpleasant. When I find stones I like, the feeling is the opposite. It's the same feeling I get when I see a sweet baby or a beautiful sunset or a great dog.
I always stop by the seller of premier and rare turquoise. I just cannot pass by this booth. I've gotten to know the seller, who is also the miner and the cutter. He gives me the turquoise scoop. This guy really knows his turquoise! Sometimes I get very carried away buying turquoise, and sometimes I have a little restraint. Turquoise is definitely one of my favorite stones, and all American turquoise is becoming extremely expensive and some close to impossible to find. When there are rare treasures to be had it's very hard to resist.
The bottom line is, while in some ways a gem show is like Disneyland, it's a buyer beware situation. One has to be really careful. I've made a lot of mistakes and have my share of useless flawed treasures. After all, I'm very picky about what I sell.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
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