Sealed with a disc

I didn't note where I found these and what the description or origins are ... I just grabbed them for visual delight.

Jocie Juritz

Jocie Juritz style is so light-hearted and beautiful.

Jocie Juritz Animation Challenge from She Drew That on Vimeo.

The f*cked up year, by the Daily Show

Even though we all saw the insurrection with our own eyes, live on CNN and every other news channel on Jan 6th the republicans would like you to think it didn't happen, they were just tourist visiting the Capitol. I will not, no, never forget experiencing that horrible day. This is worth watching. 

 

The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription And why aren't Jr, the ex and Guiliani in jail?

Sketching with heart

I look at so many artist on Instagram. I follow way too many people on Instagram. I love to see illustrators in the countryside with their sketchbooks.

This is Jennifer Illustrates (in Scotland)

Meet Nathali, a Colombian illustrator in Barcelona. She is very busy creating!

Watanabe Eiichi in Japan

Yi Qing Gan plays with her food. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

David Steeden, Urban Sketcher based in Cheshire, UK.

Javier Krauel observes life in Barcelona. Also found him on Flickr.

Smores

The kids are watching a comedy, cooking s'mores in the fire (without the grandkids). I am listening to them laugh ;)

Tik Tok Not

For the life of me, I do not get Tik Tok. It seems like a nuch of boobs, big butts twerking, stupid lip-syncing songs I have never heard before, dancing in underwear or tight pants. It feels pointless and a big waste of time. Just my opinion. ;)

Andre Daniel

Caught these on Escape to the Country the other day on BBC America. Devon wooden moths by Andre Daniel. His website is the Moth Man. Aren't they delightful?

Snowday number 2

Taking advantage of this snow day to enjoy more mimosas.

EO Wilson will be missed

Leading American naturalist EO Wilson, dubbed 'Darwin's heir', dies at 92. This is an opportunity to go and revisit his videos, his wisdom, his words. He was really something.

  

  

 

Don't Look Up

A disturbing dark comedy hits the nail on the head. I wanted to laugh but really just shook my head at the times we live in.

Progress can be painful

The kids talk about moving, what their new house might look like. Bri says, "pretty soon, you will have all of your space back". I think they are nearing having enough money saved for a huge downpayment that will be required. Plus getting qualified for a loan means you have to have owned your business or have been working for the same company/industry for 3 years. Matt and Bri both have been very stable in their jobs for over three years. So everything feels like GO on this end. 

They have lived here for over 8 years and it just does not feel that long. I remember the week Matt moved out the first time and my heart ached so desperately, I could not breathe. And we hardly ever saw them because they were busy with their lives, working and living ... and that was without kids. I know once they move we will really hardly see them unless I go to their place. I mean, this is how you want it to be but dread it to be?

Since they have lived here most of my friends will ask in not-so-subtle way "soooo, when are the kids moving to their own place?" My standard answer is always, "That is not something we talk about or think about. They will move when they have the money to get their own place. Trust me, Bri does not want to live here any longer than she has to. She wants her own house, her own kitchen, her own decorations."

David and I decided a long time ago to help them however we could. When they moved in, they were helping with bills because I had recently become unemployed and could honestly use the help. But gradually, we decided it might be better if they just took this opportunity to save their money, spend their money on the kids, buy new cars, prepare for the future in a way they could if they were paying mortgage and utilities. They buy majority of the groceries every day and they cook most of the meals.

David and I are in total agreement ... there is nothing we will not do to help give them a head start. We could not afford to give them a ton of money, but we could give them leg-up in this aspect. Plus we could help watch the kids while the kids were young. David loves having the grandkids close and they completely adore him. And there is nothing I won't do for my only son. We had him late in life and we will not be around that much longer. 

This is NOT to say things don't get tense around here every once in awhile. But we have managed not to kill each other in 8 years, so I think we have done pretty good with so many people, animals, toys under one roof.

I have a love/hate relationship with early mornings. Because Matt and Bri have their bedroom downstairs, I am the first person the grandkids wake up every morning. They want chocolate milk, or the iPad or iPhone, or demand something requiring me to get up before everyone else. And then Murphy wants out and around 3am every morning the cats want out one by one. The upside of this is that I get snuggles with Noah and great conversations of Mason when the two are not trying to kill each other.

But my absolute favorite moments are when I am in my chair in the back room watching TV and the kids are in their front room or the kitchen interacting while they cook, or watching TV with the kids. And I can hear snippets of their conversation and the tone of their voices. I am a fly on the wall to their lives and I love it. Hear their respect for each other while they share their days' events.

So when Bri makes some reference to "pretty soon, you will have lots of space back", my heart sinks a little when I think about not seeing them every day or the kids in the early morning.

We have a terrific snow day yesterday. Murphy had a blast, the kids had fun playing in the snow. We made hot chocolate with a dash of cinnamon. Bri made a pot of potato soup, Matt kept a fire going all day, it was all magical. 

And then late last night I stumbled upon Stories Of A Generation with Pope Francis on Netflix. What a wonderful documentary. I fell asleep for episode 4 but cried through most of it. "Over a year of filming across the globe to tell 18 stories of people over 70. Why? Because there are lives that can inspire our own". I can't find a transcript anywhere because I would love to read the bits of wisdom that Pope Francis was sharing again. It features remarkable people over 70 and their journey and incredible life stories.  

Guess I will have to buy the book it is based on Sharing the Wisdom of Time. It was a great way to end the perfect day. He speaks on being a parent and the importance of the role of parents which really hit home with me and made me start thinking about our role in Matt's life and journey. And I just keep repeating to myself, "I will not start crying, I will NOT start crying."

"To walk toward the future, the past is needed" —Pope Francis

"One day, while at prayer, Pope Francis was inspired to shine a light on the vital role of grandparents and other elders and the life-changing wisdom they have to share. Sharing the Wisdom of Time is the culmination of the Holy Father's vision. Elders from over 30 countries share their wisdom carved from lifetimes of experience. From a blind basket-weaver in Kenya to a centenarian midwife in Guatemala who has delivered 10,000 babies, every story is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, human resilience, and love. Pope Francis contributes as a fellow elder, offering the Preface and his own story in each chapter, while also reflecting on dozens of others' stories."

Snowstorm

We had a wonderful snowstorm last night, thank God, I have enough wine to get through the "white night".

How much do I love these?

"Yen Jui-Lin’s wooden carvings are expressive characters that appear straight from a storybook. The Taiwanese craftsman (previously) stretches quirky figures, slices their bodies in half, and sprouts plant-like growths from their heads, exaggerating their cartoonish qualities in a playful and whimsical manner. Whether a character or plant, each work is evidence of his imaginative style and skillful process, which starts with a pencil sketch and gnarly hunk of wood—he shares more about his technique on Instagram—before becoming fully realized form." Via thisiscolossal.com.

The decandent Miller Christmas

I made the statement to David for months, let's don't buy each other anything. I don't need, want or have room for anything else. Many times, I made these statements. But it never seems to happen. David told me, you said that but I never said I wasn't buying anything. So, we had quite a great Christmas. 

Last night we had a great dinner withe Bri's family. And this morning crepes, Eggs Benedict, sausages, bacon, Mimosas for brunch ... presents, great stockings (stockings are always the best here) and now on the dinner. David cooking prime rib. We can hardly move because everyone is so sore from all the cleaning, and cooking, wrapping, picking up new toys.

Noah matched her Princess Barbie perfectly.