Monday, February 27, 2012

MEET MATT, KITA’S ANGEL…..

and musician extraordinaire!  Matt and buddies Joe and Greg are graduates of Musicians Institute in Hollywood and have their own record label…’Heavyocity Records’.  Matt has his own band, ‘DELPHIAN’ and as if this talent isn’t enough, he also does storyboards for the movies.  These great guys live down the hill and I’ve invited myself over to visit their recording studio.

Matt is Kita’s ‘go to guy’ for walks and romps…hence the ‘angel’ title.

I digress…Thursday night mom and I had our usual at Porto’s.  Bianka & Shauna know it by heart….Cubanos on croissants with extra pickles and EXTRA pickles on the side.  Two cokes and two boxes of cheese rolls to go. 

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I thought I had timed it perfectly in order to plop on the sofa at 8:00 for two hours of mind numbing American Idol.  What’s that about the best laid plans?……..Walk in the door and Vicki tells me there’s something wrong with Kita.  She can’t pee!!!  Well,  that would be a problem wouldn’t it?  Kita would just squat and maybe dribble….if this is all too much information for you, perhaps you best go to the next blog.

I called Kim, Kita’s trainer, and she sounded alarmed which made me terrified.  I was told that it could be a urinary track infection but whatever it was…..IT NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION!

Remember when I went to the Emergency Vet’s with Nikka?  That too was right after puppy had been to the vets….I’m seeing a pattern here.  Well, Nikka was off and I had no one to go with me to emergency.  Driving on the Ventura freeway with a crazed puppy is definitely a two man job.  Miraculously Angel Matt was home and he went with grateful me as he has a real calming effect on puppy.

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Kita managed to make about a dozen dribbles on the floor after the above  humiliation and we waited for what seemed like hours for her test results.

Finally we got the…’Yes, it’s a urinary track infection….she can go home with meds.’ Hence this high sign from Angel Matt.

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Back in the waiting room we waited for the grand total and the meds while Kita danced with Paulina.

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There was a flirtatious interlude with a four month old black lab but sadly it was destined to be two ships crossing in the night.

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Time for another dribble………….

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Woops..did I do that?  Sorry.

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When you spend over $500.00 Christopher gives you this ‘designer’ bag to cart your meds (Clavamox…an amoxicillin… and Tramadol HCL for pain) and instructions in.  Ca-ching, ca-ching!

 

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Safely home at last thanks to Angel Matt.  It was past midnight but I was so happy we went.  Kita managed to stay up, going outside thru the night but all is well now and we’re happy and on schedule!  O.K. Matt, time to rock and roll!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

RECESS on BRAND in GLENDALE……..

Where I’ve been bad – very, very bad. 

This Kobe burger gets me salivating just looking at it.  There’s cheddar cheese, BACON, and avocado. If that’s not artery clogging enough…delicious garlicky fries finish it off!!!

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(I figured the tomato slices made it healthy.)

Thursday, February 23, 2012

A BEAUTIFUL BLANKIE….

..for precious Jacob aka JAKIE!

After class last Saturday, Sandie showed Lynne and me the labor of love she has created for dear grandbaby Jacob.  She and hubby Dr. Jim are rightfully floating on a cloud of sheer delight…and who can blame them.

 

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Sandie is telling us about the individual knitted pieces which will soon be put together with a blue and red border.  I can’t begin to describe how soft and lucious each piece feels and how beautifully knitted and painstakingly designed this work of art is.

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Sandie’s sketch for the heavenly blankie!!!  This child will truly be covered in love!!!!!!!!

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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

More of Kita’s Friends…….

I finally sat after being told I was NOT a good dog.  What’s their problem?  I’m excited to see Cathy that’s all.  Besides, I got confused by their matching colors.  Wonder why mom wears those gloves?

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See, I’m better now.  June said so!

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O.K. Grace, lets sing together……

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Lynne, I love those Greenies but love you more!

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Now see this……Trudy knows how to get my attention.

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…….Hey, come on… Let’s eat first…..why are you calling me “No, no…bad dog”?

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Tomiko, I really like you but  next time you come over please bring Brownie so that we can socialize.

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Trudy thanks so much for taking me to PETCO!

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Another meet and greet……

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Lynne, your stuffed toy was DELICIOUS..thank you!

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Tai Ling it’s so good to see you again….

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Lisa, I told Tomiko to bring Brownie and you should bring CJ…what a party that would be!!!

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WOW, what a great hugger!!!

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Joan, if you could understand dog speak I’m sure we could have quite an intellectual conversation….perhaps about the meaning of life…the cosmos…..ingredients in Kibble?  Whatever….

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I’m really quite smart you know…..

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Kent, you were told not to rough house with me.  I guess that’s why your picture didn’t come out.  Karma?

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Katie, you seem to be the only one who understands me….

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Oh Kim, where you lead me I will follow.  You’ve definitely got my attention!

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To be continued………….

Monday, February 20, 2012

MEET BARNEY…..

…..It’s a fact…..you just never know who you’ll run into when you venture forth!

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Friday, February 17, 2012

THE COOKIE LADY…..

…..I want to tell you about Trudy…..actually….TRUDY of the BIG HEART! If there’s an animal or human on the hill that needs help of any sort……Trudy is there in a big way.  She and hubby Geoff walk the hill and Trudy always has a pocket filled with doggie biscuits.  When Yuki would see her afar off, she would just sit down and patiently wait for Trudy to arrive. Charles got such a kick out of this that he dubbed Trudy “THE COOKIE LADY”! Yuki and Trudy became so close that Trudy would take Yuki for her early A.M. walk and let her romp and play at the water tower.

This was Trudy’s first meet and greet with puppy while Geoff waits patiently.

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How’s this for good behavior?  I’d say it’s worth a cookie or two.041

 

Three weeks ago Trudy helped me take Kita to puppy play time at Petco.  (It takes a village.)008

Kita’s fan club started to line up before we even got in the door.

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Let the party begin…..

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I love little boys…..or little girls..or any human who walks by as I much prefer the two legged creatures to the four.  I guess I’m just a real people person….or is that people doggie?

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Alycia, my new friend and Petco instructor. She thinks I’m a smart and a good dog.   Little does she know that it’s the treat she’s holding.  Don’t tell on me.

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You look like lunch! You’re lucky I just ate.

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Let the sniffing begin…..

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Haven’t you had enough?

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Trudy, don’t you think you should get me out of here?  These creatures are beginning to annoy me.

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Sunday, February 12, 2012

Let’s Visit Mom…..

Is this thing moving?

Where are the treats?

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I thought you’d have treats……..

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No treats? Nikka, let’s go!

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How am I driving?

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Friday, February 10, 2012

Who Told…

…..the Chinese Magnolia’s to bud and bloom?

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The tree was barren and then……

 

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It starts like this…..

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And voila!

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So utterly beautiful…..

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The Bearded Iris got jealous and decided to show off……

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My camera angle isn’t the best but you get the idea….Rhapsody in White…..

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O.K., now bring in the Roses……..

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Time for your solo…….

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Even the Geranium joined the chorus!

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Another Rose piped in…………

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All together now…….

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SING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The Narcissus wanted to be 1st……so predictable!

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Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.