Day: January 26, 2018

SILHOUETTES AND SHADOW SHOWS

There was a dance with the name “Silhouette” back in the very early 1960s … or maybe it was the very late 1950s. 

Okay, looked it up again — 1957 was the original by The Rays, but other groups put out versions of it too — Herman’s Hermits and the Ronettes — both 1965. And the Nylons in 1981. I missed the 1981 version — I was in Israel by then.

It was a line dance. It may have been the very first of all line dances. I liked it because I could actually perform it and you couldn’t say that about me and other dances — of any kind. It had steps that anyone who could walk could probably master, except most of the guys I knew who barely managed walking without stumbling. It wasn’t drinking, either. They just had problems with managing their feet.

I seem to have found a lot of non-dancing partners through the decades.

These days, “silhouette” is a type of black & white photograph.

Palms in Phoenix

When I was a child, though, it meant a shadow show, fingers and a bright light behind a white sheet. Every kid learned to make a rabbit and maybe a horse. And of course, a silly talking face.

Sometimes, on a bad day as I try to have an intelligent conversation with one of the dogs, I feel like I’m one of those “pretend” talking shadows.

You know what I mean?

THE CHANGING SEASON – YEAR IV – JANUARY 2018 – GARRY & MARILYN ARMSTRONG

The Changing Seasons, January 2018

Home during the blizzard

It started with three years of host Cardinal Guzman — Max — who did a wonderful job. I’m so glad Su Leslie has taken over. It has been a great deal of fun to follow the seasons through the years, especially in this region where we have four seasons, but in some years, more like six or seven!

Bonnie and Duke watching the falling snow
Snow through the window
Photo: Garry Armstrong – Blizzard

Right now, it’s deep winter. Except it has warmed up, the snow has been washed away by two days of pouring rain and today the sun was out and the temperature was up. The climate is changing. You can argue about it all you like, but it is happening anyway. I think it’s more obvious some places than others.

The old tractor

Regardless, January is not much of an outdoor month. It’s cold, frequently snowy, with warm breaks and mud between the storms.

And one birthday party
The Duke
Bonnie and Gibbs

Garry took all of the outdoor  shots in the blizzard. Mine are entirely indoors. I don’t seem to have quite the energy to get “out this and into the weather” these days.

RULES OF THE SEASONS

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

  • Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
  • Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
  • Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

  • Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
  • Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
  • Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

CRAZY DOG LOVER – BY ELLIN CURLEY

I know I sound neurotic when I talk about how much I love my dogs and how dogcentric our home is. But I’m okay with that. It’s the kind of neurosis I’m proud of. I love being greeted by hysterics whenever I enter the house. The barks, howls and yelps, licks, jumps and wags make me very happy. It’s nice to know that my presence means so much to at least two fellow creatures.

Tom getting affection from Remy

As the daughter of two therapists, I can imagine all the personality deficiencies that that statement conjures. Insecurity, low self-esteem, neediness, clinginess, whatever. Knock yourselves out! I don’t care because I think YOU should be jealous of the enormous pleasure I get just walking through my door.

I don’t just allow my dogs on the furniture, I WANT them on it. In fact, if I’m watching TV and I’m not cuddling a dog, I go find one and lure her onto the sofa with me. I have much more patience with mediocre shows when I’m petting a dog.

In bed, there’s nothing like falling asleep with your arm around a dog and your nose nestled into her fur. You think I have commitment issues with my husband? Not a chance. He’s cuddling her from the other side and we can hold hands over the dog’s back.

Tom cuddling with Remy in bed

Feeding them from the table – diagnosis: total lack of discipline or impulse control on my part.

Lazy about doing dishes? I let the dogs “pre-wash” the dinner dishes after I’d scraped most of the leftovers into the garbage. They do an excellent job. Dishes can go right into the dishwasher without the inconvenient rinse and rub I would otherwise have to do.

Dogs out in the snow

Maybe there’s a psychological diagnostic code for people who get a huge increase in endorphins from being around their dogs. Bring it on! I hope to die with a dog in my arms. If there’s such a thing as reincarnation, I’ll die happy knowing that I can come back as a dog with an owner as dog crazy as I am.

LOOK UP! A PHOTO A WEEK CHALLENGE

A Photo a Week Challenge: Look Up

From Nancy Merrill:

Looking back through past challenges, I found that I haven’t done a “look up” challenge for a long time, if ever. Trying a different perspective is a great way to enhance your photography. Looking up, looking down, taking a picture from ground level or from an airplane window. All of these are fun ways to change things up. My photo is the ceiling of the Fribourg Cathedral in Fribourg, Switzerland. I’m really glad my husband said, “Look up!” Otherwise, I would have missed this amazing view.

Looking up. Ceilings, of course and some of the concert halls we have visited have ceilings almost as amazing as a cathedral. Clouds and sunrises and sunsets are always worth looking up.

But there are other things in the air …

Little plane up in the air!
Into the clouds
Photo: Garry Armstrong – Police helicopter searching
Seagulls on the roof at sunrise