My hard drive crashed yesterday. Wallowing in the depths of despair is neither fun nor attractive so I try not to. Happily, I always work with a back-up drive. It was however, several hours of freak time before Apple Support walked me through the place I currently sit- in the middle of restoring a corrupt hard drive.
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Tryon Palace Gardens
Impressive statues of the four seasons watch over the formal parterre known as the Latham Garden, to the side of the Tryon Palace. Tryon Palace was the first permanent home of the North Carolina governor in colonial times. (“Palace” was just another word for the governor’s home). Originally built in 1767, the palace burned to the ground soon after the capital was moved to Raleigh.
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Flowers and Jazz
I’ve been reading about the Golden Age of Gardening and formal gardens created in America starting in the 1880s. Wealthy Americans emerging from over- industrialized cities arrived in the countryside, acquired very grand homes and proceeded to create an oasis of continual blooms. Just like me. (Hah, I can dream, anyway)
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Happy New Year
Hank Mobley, like many great musicians, had early childhood exposure to lots of music. His mother, grandmother and uncle played piano. His uncle played six other instruments and encouraged him to play sax.
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Rooibos Winter Spice Tea
People cannot live on Paola Pillows alone- and as the days get shorter and darker, you need to take a break wherever you can get it. I’m a huge believer in the importance of surrounding yourself with multi-sensorial comforts- visual, sound, smell and gustatory pleasures…in combination. Especially during the holidays.
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Indulging in the Christmas Season
I created this photo in honor of a holiday tradition I follow religiously every year: Indulging in good memories of the past by re-creating them in new ways.
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My Father Still Brings Me Comfort in Music
This photo will always remind me of my Papa. Back when smoking was in vogue- we had several ceramic ashtrays he’d made in the shape of birds. Hard to imagine that today. Birds were creatures he always enjoyed watching and I remember him being fascinated by seagulls at the beach. These little birds have big personalities just standing still. Aren’t they funny?
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