Just like music or a specific location, certain smells can bring a flood of memories to mind. I never told anyone but Eddie this, because I was afraid it was too weird (which Eddie assured me that it in fact  is  too weird), but my favorite smell from childhood is...cigarette smoke. I was born in Lincoln, NE in 1983, where the middle class smoked. If you asked someone in a restaurant or bar to put out their cigarette, you'd probably get punched in the face. Everyone knew smoking was generally bad for you, but the reality of just  how  bad hadn't quite set in yet.  My family lived in my grandparent's house for a few years when I was little, where their home was the hub of all extended family gatherings. My dad smoked, both grandparents, and so did all the uncles. (I am proud to say that my dad and grandma haven't smoked for a good decade and a half or more, and most of the family has quit since as well). But, unarguably, the smell was always around.  To this day, I  l

I saw this beauty at the park. There was just something regal about the way she stood, unafraid in the sunlight. She let us get so close to her. So we threw her an apple, which she picked up and crunched. This shot reminds me of Susan in the Boonies' button at her blog,  Wild Life in the Woods .

A read a post, Plans and Sabotage , at Laugh with us Blog, and it reminded me of my own flub a while ago: ~~ When Eddie's mom and friend came to visit us a few months ago, we decided to take them to "The Lion King" on Broadway, the essence of a Broadway musical that we knew they'd love. The tickets were expensive, about $150 each, but we all agreed it would be a well worth it, once in a lifetime experience.  The tickets needed to be purchased all at once in order to get seats together, so I bought them a few weeks before their arrival with our credit card. Excited, I printed the tickets and looked them over. That's when I realized...I bought them for the WRONG weekend!!! I think my heart stopped for a second. Broadway tickets are like airline tickets...the prices constantly change and they're practically impossible to return. I immediately called the theatre, but couldn't get ahold of anyone. I called the 800 emergency number on the tickets, and sti

This is another video from a recent performance at Gizzi's Cafe in NYC. Saint Louis Blues is definitely my favorite boogie-woogie tune to play. It always gets my foot tappin. Thanks Mr. Capps for teaching me that left hand boogie-woogie and walkin bass! (I'll be out for a day or two, but will catch up on all your posts soon!)

My husband Eddie, is quite romantic. He brings me gifts, takes me on dates, and sends me flowers. One day we returned from lunch to find a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to our doorstep. I picked them up and noticed they were addressed to me! The return address was the flower company, so I assumed they were from Eddie. "Awww!" I mooned over them. But when I looked at Eddie, rather than seeing an adoring expression staring back at me, he looked completely puzzled. "Those aren't from me!" He accused, not so romantically or adoringly. I was just as surprised. I couldn't think of a single person who would send me flowers. It wasn't my birthday or any kind of special occasion. But curiosity, or was it something  else , overtook Eddie. He tore open the cardboard packaging like a ravage beast, searching for any clue of who the flowers could be from.  "It's from that one guy from that one place! I  knew  he had a crush on you!" I rolled m

I'm expecting company! My sister Erica, and best friend Deb will arrive today. When Erica and I get together, things like this happen: And when Deb and I get together, things like this happen: And when my little sister, best friend, and I are all together in NYC for a week, it makes my husband go like this: But he'll survive. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right? ~~~ The wig explanation: Gaga For Erica How Deb and I have stayed best friends for nearly 18 years: Friendiversary A pretty safe bet for the next week: Giggles

Sorting through a box of old photographs, I came across this one... Taken on a disposal camera about 7 years ago during some Army training as a cadet. I recall feeling very homesick, as it was a new experience, and very exhausted. I found a rose (I have no idea where) and kept it alive in my canteen of water for a few days before I was forced to throw it away during a room inspection. A vibrant red rose, bringing beauty to drab olive green.