Winter Moon

Li Shangyin

To the Moon Goddess

Now that a candle-shadow stands on the screen of carven marble

And the River of Heaven slants and the morning stars are low,

Are you sorry for having stolen the potion that has set you

Over purple seas and blue skies, to brood through the long nights?

MARDI GRAS!

Here comes the Big Party! Followed, of course, by a period of self sacrifice or atonement or whatever you decide. It's an interesting concept. Truckle along all year, doing what we do, start marking the time of cultural rituals at Halloween, Thanksgiving, then reach a crescendo at Christmas, slide down towards Valentine's Day, run smack into Mardi Gras,then - a screeching halt. Time to get the ashes, shut down for six weeks.

What are you giving up for Lent?

Shadow Shot Sunday

A sunny winter afternoon in Texas, warm enough for a walk along the dry creek bed near our house, but a chilly wind to remind us that spring is not quite here yet.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Ah to be in Paris when the sun is sinking low and the lavender - oh wait, the lavender is actually not in Paris...it's in Provence. Oh, well, it's a creative memory. And of course we're in Texas, not France.

A Little More Red

I picked up a 'new' china cabinet this week - someone else's change of heart became my heart's desire. I have plans of course to paint it creamy white with crystal knobs, but in the meantime it has become a receptacle for my tribute to the Holiday of the Month. While waiting for the china to come to rest, it holds some of my favorite Red Things.

Valentine's Day Surprise

The lonely red chair

The surprise package from the Valentine Fairy

What Goodies await discovery?

Valentine Trinkets, Soap Fancy, Special Coffee and All Manner of Chocolate!

One of the things I love, love, love about my fabulous daughter-in-law is her talent for putting together gifts for people. She is one of those gift-givers who collects things all year long then assembles just the right items for each person on her list at the appropriate time. Christmas of course is over the top. This is the sweetness she threw together for me this Valentine's Day.

Am I lucky or what?

Noah's Ark, Mayan Version

Isn't this cool? Just a close up of a Mexican embroidered shirt, but fun. I keep getting into repetition, bright colors, black background. And of course, a little more red.

The New Kimono

This little treasure was a thrift store find - it's too pretty to wear, but makes a fabulous wall hanging. If only I could figure out how to show the back and the front.

Check out the details of the back and sleeves...

Out of India

It's like wearing a mural as a skirt.

The myth of the Indian princess wraps around your legs, blows in the wind, settles around you when you are still.

Sunburst of Shoes

Another fabulous femme find at the CityWide . . .

Rainbows

You never know what you might find at the CityWide Garage Sale. This sweet silky slips caught my eye. From back in the day when women were ladies and wore proper undergarments.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Waitin' at the gate . . .

Shadow Shot Sunday

How our shadows can glorify us - we loom large in the light of the sun