Ada's First Birthday Bash!

Ada is so beautiful (like her Momma, Gina)! I can't believe she has hair now and she's so big. I get to be Grandma Kate for now and tell her, "You're the apple of my eye." How did that phrase come about, anyway?

This post is about Ada's first birthday, but I had to add this picture. OMG! Carrah is growing up so fast and she's gorgeous!

Ada's cake and cookies - a vision in pink.

I love this shot. She 's looking at her cake like the bear is tresspassing.

Now she gets it. I love this little girl SOOOOOOO much!

Pick Your Candidate

My Aunt Marilyn sent me a link to Find Your Candidate, a site that lets you answer questions about political issues and then uses the information to generate your candidate. Aunt Marilyn said I might be surprised at who would pop up as my favorite candidate - I wasn't. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but it is interesting. Excuse any formatting issues, it was a booger to put the pics and the results in any type of order.

Below are the candidates ranked by how much you agree with their stances.

Hillary ClintonScore: 47
Agree: Immigration, Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Social Security, Line-Item Veto, Energy, Gay Marriage, Death Penalty
Disagree: Iraq

Barack ObamaScore: 47Video
Agree:Immigration,Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Social Security, Line-Item Veto, Energy, Gay Marriage, Death Penalty
Disagree: Iraq

Chris DoddScore: 46Video
Agree:Immigration,Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Social Security, Line-Item Veto, Energy, Gay Marriage
Disagree: Iraq, Death Penalty

Dennis KucinichScore: 39
Agree: Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Social Security, Line-Item Veto, Energy, Gay Marriage
Disagree: Iraq, Immigration, Death, Penalty

Mike GravelScore: 36
Agree: Immigration, Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Social Security, Gay Marriage
Disagree: Iraq, Line-Item Veto, Energy, Death Penalty




Joe BidenScore: 35
Agree: Immigration, Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Energy, Gay Marriage, Death Penalty,
Disagree: Iraq, Social Security, Line-Item Veto




John EdwardsScore: 35Video
Agree: Taxes, Health, Care, Abortion, Social Security, Energy, Gay Marriage, Death Penalty
Disagree: Iraq, Immigration, Line-Item Veto




Bill RichardsonScore: 30Video
Agree:Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Social Security, Marriage, Death, Penalty
Disagree:Iraq, Immigration, Line-Item, Veto, Energy




Rudy GiulianiScore: 25
Agree: Abortion, Line-Item Veto, Energy, Gay Marriage, Death Penalty
Disagree: Iraq, Immigration, Taxes, Health Care, Social Security




Ron PaulScore: 19
Agree: Social Security, Line-Item Veto, Gay Marriage
Disagree: Iraq, Immigration, Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Energy, Death Penalty




John McCainScore: 15
Agree: Immigration, Gay Marriage, Death Penalty
Disagree: Iraq, Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Social Security, Line-Item Veto, Energy




Mitt RomneyScore: 13
Agree: Abortion, Energy, Death Penalty,
Disagree: Iraq, Immigration, Taxes, Health Care, Social Security, Line-Item Veto, Gay Marriage




Jim GilmoreScore: 13
Agree: Abortion, Energy, Death Penalty
Disagree: Iraq, Immigration, Taxes, Health Care. Social Security, Line-Item Veto, Gay Marriage

Duncan HunterScore: 6
Agree: EnergyDeath Penalty
DisagreeIraqImmigrationTaxesHealth CareAbortionSocial SecurityLine-Item VetoMarriage





Sam BrownbackScore: 5
Agree: Energy
Disagree: Iraq, Immigration, Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Social Security. Line-Item Veto, Gay Marriage, Death Penalty




Tom TancredoScore: 5
Agree: Iraq
Disagree: Immigration, Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Social Security, Line-Item Veto, Energy, Gay Marriage, Death Penalty




Mike HuckabeeScore: 1Video
Agree: Death Penalty
Disagree: Iraq, Immigration, Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Social Security, Line-Item Veto, Energy, GayMarriage




Fred ThompsonScore: 1
Agree: Death Penalty
Disagree: Iraq, Immigration, Taxes, Health Care, Abortion, Social Security, Line-Item Veto, Energy, Gay Marriage

Boy

Photo by Andrew Collins

Sometimes you can hear a song and it pulls you back in time to another place. You are there, seeing it all. Smelling the scents and feeling the air and even feeling the age you were when you were there. Tonight I heard Boy by Book of Love and I was back at Uncle Charlie's in Austin, dancing with all of my friends and laughing. The strong scent of expensive men's cologne mingled with cigarettes and alcohol still hangs heavy in the machined fog. The bass is pumping, the bodies on the dance floor are writhing and bumping in time with the beat. Everyone dancing with everyone, boys and boys, girls and girls, and boys and girls and transsexuals and transvestites and the lights are flashing. Everyone is young and beautiful, and it is all so very intoxicating.

More Art

As disturbing as this image is, it is also quite beautiful. The artist is Gottfried Helnwein and this painting is a watercolor called Beautiful Victim I. His work is almost photographic in its look, which is just amazing to me. In addition to his rather grotesque offerings, Helnwein also takes panoramic landscape photographs. Strange duality, or maybe not.

John Trent Kuykendall

I had a friend once, named John Kuykendall. We had a falling out in the way that only headstrong youth can have. John if you are out there - contact me. Karim, Anj, and I are all hoping you are well and happy.

Happy Anniversary!

View From The Inside at Casa Mantequilla by Finijo

Several times this weekend I have found myself sitting at the computer, looking out into the back yard and marveling that we have been in the house for a little over a year now. It is an amazing feeling to have someplace to live that is your own. I don't think there are words that could convey how good it feels, it has to be experienced.

I've been up early the last two days and watched the sun come up, enjoying the view from the inside. With the way my mind has been racing lately, it's been nice to get up early, enjoy coffee and jazz and be very still first thing in the morning.

Yesterday, I watched the rain pour down and quench my thirsty garden. All that was wilted and tired is now turgid and beaming. For the last year, I have had the extreme pleasure seeing doves, blue jays, cardinals, and finches soar through my back yard. Sometimes joyously bathing in the birdbath, and sometimes doing acrobatics and playing games that only other birds know the rules to. I've been amazed at the myriad butterflies that do their aerial dances as they flit through the garden. We've gotten used to the carpenter bees, who've bored holes in our pergola and our new friends the spinybacked orb weavers. There is only one spinyback left now, and we've named him Eugene. I haven't seen the rats in a while, but I'm sure they are lurking about. It's been Spring since we saw the opossums, but the squirrels are ever present. They scurry along the fence, climb into potted plants and run through the trees and across the power lines in ways that seem to defy physical laws. Our favorite squirrel is named Fat Ass - King of the Squirrels. He's the biggest, fattest squirrel I've ever seen. When he climbs the trees, the span of his posterior is close to six inches across - what a marvel. Just a few minutes ago, we dubbed another squirrel - Joan of Oak. She is very brave and took several shots at getting into the new solar bird feeder we hung over the patio. Joan took a dive at the bird feeder , which rapidly spun her around until she flew off into the yard.

Today, I think I will wash the windows for a clearer view.

ART!

I have recently been exposed to some new artists. The artists are all surrealists, and each one is quite unique. These photos are of work done by Floria Sigismondi. Her work is gorgeous and repulsive all at once. I will probably post some others in the coming days. I don't want to hang their work in my living room, but I am positively mesmerized by the imagery.

The Changing

Persephone by Melia Dawn Newman

As we slide into Autumn, or at least what passes for Autumn in Texas, I thought this painting would be appropriate. I found the artist on-line over a year ago, and I really like her work. Ms. Newman has information on the web that says she sells her paintings on Ebay, but I haven't found anything except an ACEO of cats, which doesn't speak to me the way her series of archetypal women does.

I feel myself going through some changes lately, although, I'm not really sure that I want to change right now. On on a deeper level, I know that change is good and it will keep me from turning to stone. I can't tell if the way I am feeling will pass like the changing of the seasons, or if I am entering a new phase of life that will be more enduring. At times it seems like I'm progressing and other times like I am devolving, but I think anything is better than feeling the stagnation of not moving at all. For now, I think I will embrace the shifting in my nature, in spite of the fear and the discomfort it brings.

Another Bright Spot

Bright Spot by MEG

My good day from yesterday continued through today. I am working crazy hours, but the work is keeping me going, and it seems like my whole team is on fire. We are making a difference. The days are flying by much too quickly, but so much is being accomplished, that it seems like all is as it should be. I feel like I am living outside of myself.

A Good Day

Unknown Artist (I can't read the name)

Today was a very good and productive day at work. It was a very long day, but I feel like I made a difference and that I helped someone. I don't think work can get any better than that.

Spinybacked Orbweaver Invasion

We are in the midst of an invasion. We have three giant spinybacked orbweaver spider webs surrounding our back door. When I say the webs are giant, I am talking about a 5-6 foot span. The spinybacked orb weaver looks like a combination crab and alien life form, but it is harmless enough to humans. They apparently have no desire to enter your home, and live only to eat other insects. Since our backyard has been taken over by mosquitoes the whole summer, I am thrilled that we have an army of spinybacked orbweavers to finally take down those malicious, blood-sucking bastards. Marilyn, who has arachnophobia, is not thrilled. She is anxiously awaiting the next big thunderstorm in the hope that it washes all of my freaky new friends away.

Sync

Fractal Image

There are certain times in my life where I feel like everything gels, and it almost seems like I can feel the synapses in my brain firing. I have clarity and it feels like electricity is running through my veins. There is synchronicity between how I physically feel and what is happening in my life. I am in that place now. I don't know what makes it happen, and I hate that it doesn't happen more often and that it never lasts very long. All of the words that I can think of to describe this feeling are trite. "Being one with the universe" is the most grandiose, but it almost fits the feeling. When I feel like this, I run into people I have been thinking about by chance in the most unexpected places. I feel like I can think six moves ahead and I could give Dad a run for his money on the chess board. I feel like I am connecting with the people I am trying to help at work and like I am better at my job and better with my family. I want to paint, write, cook, blog, garden, and even clean. While I am in this devine mode, I will enjoy it for all it's worth - it's a shame it won't last.

Eye in Sky Blue

8.3 Number 73 July 7, 2005 by Ran Elfassy

I found this gorgeous eye on 350 Rans. If you look closely, you can see the photographer and a woman selling chickens on a street in Shanghai. The photographer is doing 350 self portraits which he posts one a week for 350 weeks on his website. He sells the photos and uses the money for environmental causes.

This is the message Ran sent me when he mailed the photo:

From:"Ran Elfassy" sigeimedia@gmail.com

To:"'Karen West'"
Subject: Printed,
mounted and about to fly
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2007 18:10:13 +0800

Great news! The photo is printed, mounted, signed and about to be picked up by the
courier; I’ll get a tracking number over to you when I have it. The courier will
most likely confirm on Monday, but rest assured that the photo looks great. I’m
pleased and proud to welcome you into the group of 350 Rans owners.

To let you in on some more news, I plan to continue the
series (I’m now on week/photo 186 of 350, so September 2010 will be a great time
in my life), get a book together, and some exhibitions. Proceeds go towards
supporting environmental protection and conservation, so the bigger picture is
even better. The point being that through creativity, I hope to make a positive
difference for all of us.

Again, thank you for your interest and support, and I think your image will look great in your home or office.

- Ran

It is a lovely way to raise money for a good cause and to express yourself creatively. And the print arrived matted, and we are looking forward to framing it and hanging it as soon as possible.

A Recipe for Gruel

Connor and I watched The House of Usher today and upon hearing that the Ushers could eat only gruel, I looked up the recipe for gruel. This is what I found:

A Recipe for Gruel

You will need the following ingredients: oats; water.

The following equipment is essential: a big pot; a big spoon; the Holy Bible.

On a blustery winter's day, with a chill in the very marrow of your poor, poor bones, take the big pot & carry it, trudging through snow, to the rusty spigot on the other side of the village. Weeping, use what little strength you have to turn the spigot until a woeful driblet of brackish water appears. Make sure you place the big iron pot under the drip, so that water
collects in it. With luck, & prayer, you should find that the pot is about three quarters full before twilight, when of course the village curfew comes into effect. The evil Grand Vizier proclaimed so in his ukase, to make sure that all pious people are behind their latched & bolted doors by nightfall. Place the big pot on your oven & set it on full. Remember that it can take electric cookers longer to heat up than gas ones, but do not despair. Once your oven's maximum heat is reached, the water will bubble away like nobody's business. To prevent steam escaping, it is a splendid idea to cover the pot. If, long ago, when you were feckless, you lost or mislaid the lid of your pot, or if indeed your pot never had a lid, for not all pots do, you can of course improvise a lid using all sorts of debris strewn higgledy-piggledy about your hovel. Just be sure you use flame-resistant debris, please. Now then, while you are waiting for the water to come to the boil, you can go & find the oats while I take a well-earned nap. Let's have a little musical interlude. …..

I am now fully rested and in tiptop condition. Let us press on without further ado, for by now your pot of water should be boiling. Please pay attention, as the next step, if fumbled, will
put paid to your dearest wish, which is to make a successful pot of gruel. With your right hand, scoop some oats from the pail. Grasp the lid of the pot, if there is one, in your left hand, & lift it free of the pot. Cast the handful of oats into the seething cauldron & replace the lid. You may repeat this step once or twice, but on no account overdo the oats, as this will spoil your gruel making it too thick, & as the only remedy for this would be to add more water, you would have to return to the spigot, breaking the village curfew, and so risk being clubbed within an inch of your life by merciless curfew-cadets, & your gruel, imperfect though it may be, would then go to waste. Sin upon sin. You are now free to allow the contents of the pot to boil merrily away, although of course from time to time you ought to brandish the big spoon in your fist & give the gruel-to-be a mighty stir. In the intervals between stirrings, you must on no account remain idle. This is the perfect time to read improving passages from the Bible. Indeed, why not throw open your door, stand upright & magnificent in your weed-choked yard, & declaim the scriptures in a booming voice for the benefit of whoe'er may be within earshot in the vast & pitiless night? Two little reminders, though. However resounding your declamation, do not allow into your tone even the most minuscule taint of vanity. Remember that you are merely a vessel, & a singularly unlovely vessel at that - a tarnished urn, say, or a grubby beaker. Second, do not forget the pot, for if it is neglected you are likely to make not gruel, but an inferno. Oh, I said two reminders, but there is a third. Use your cuff to rub a modicum of grime from your hovel window. Do you see a bleak & illimitable vista of ice & snow? Are you marooned in an Arctic wasteland? If so, you may succumb to the delusions of piblokto, in which case you should refrain from following the directions of this recipe until you are relieved of your symptoms & are restored to your usual vigour. I need hardly point out the dangers of cooking when you are bonkers, although I have written an excellent little book entitled "Safe & Simple Snacks For The Bedizened & The Fraught" which is charmingly illustrated. The original pencil sketch of a cream cracker has been framed & displayed on the wall of my splendid restaurant in Haemoglobin Towers. Where were we? Ah yes. Once the gruel is fully boiled, replace the Bible on your lectern, or somewhere at any rate where it will be safe from defilement, if such a cranny exists in your hovel. Hold the spoon in your right hand, removing the pot-lid with your left. Give that gruel one last stir. Remove from heat. Allow to stand for ten minutes. Using a monstrous ladle, transfer into pre-heated tin bowls, & serve. Best eaten with a spoon. Suitable for home freezing.
http://hooting.yard.users.btopenworld.com/gruel.htm

Our new stove arrived yesterday. It is WONDERFUL!! So far, we've baked quesadillas and biscuits and not one thing has burned. It heats quickly and it doesn't turn the kitchen into an an inferno. We haven't made gruel, but I'm thinking I might work on that for next week's menu.

I Made the FACE

Unagi

I met Dawn for dinner last night at Little Miyako in Meyerland. We were looking at the menu and I told her that I love California roll, but I don't like the sushi with fish. Dawn started describing how much she enjoys unagi, which is barbecued eel. Her eyes got big and she said, "You are making the face! You never make the face. Now you have to try unagi." I couldn't deny that my face had, in fact, contorted in disgust. The thought of eating eel actually turned my stomach in a way that few things can. Over the years, it has been Dawn that made The Face. I would suggest that we get Thai food or Indian food, and she would wrinkle her nose and make the face, then I would say, "Now you have to try it." She usually ended up adding a new type of food to her diet after trying something she thought was repulsive.

Now, for the first time, I was in that position. Believe it or not, it was kind of exciting. So I tried the unagi and LOVED it. It was a wonderful flavor and the texture was almost creamy. Unagi is delicious. I also tried crunchy maki at Dawn's suggestion, which is a lot like a California roll, but it has crunchy tempura pieces and roe, making it a little sweet and crunchy.

So, I have two more things to say:

Steve, I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. You were right - unagi is great. The next time we have sushi, I will try whatever you recommend.

Dawn, Thank you for playing the "you have to try it" card. I liked it so much that we ordered sushi for lunch today (I found a place that delivers) and I ordered unagi and crunchy roll. I even got Connor to try the unagi and he liked it, too.