Under African Skies In SL

I Feel So Close To You Now

It's closer than ever now, vacation that is. Vacation is a beautiful word in any language. As the time for a vacation draws near I feel so close to those days filled with rest, fun, laughter, meals cooked on the grill and lazy afternoons.
I am getting my reading lists ready and shopping for things that will make being lazy all the more easy.
You know, I could get use to lazy, hazy, days of summer.

Enjoy Life!

The Black Cat

My friend Julia Hathor has done it again! She has created another fabulous work of art. The name of this house is, The Black Cat. I had to go and see it. I really enjoyed it and purchased one after my tour of this wonderful house.

I can't believe the wonderful attention to detail, yet she is known for this in all of her work. Many of her creations stand out largely because there are very few who can do what she does so well.

If you can, please go by and see The Black Cat. If you like what you see drop a kind word in the form of a note, if you can. I'm sure you will find as I did that Julia is one of Second Life's residents who is kind and friendly.

As Always,

Enjoy Life!

Off with me!

Why is it that when I must go somewhere on Saturday, I drag my feet? Even though I am going on a fabulous adventure today with great friends and what promises to be great food, I am slow about getting up and getting on with the day. It's after 10:00am and I have found everything else to do but what I need to. In fact, blogging provides me with yet another excuse not to get on with the business at hand. Well, I think I love having my Saturdays to do with what I want, when I want, how I want. Let's face it, when you are on a rigid timed schedule six days a week, asking for one free day is not too much to ask for, right?

Anyway, I am off. I wish you all a fabulous Saturday shared with ones you love.

Enjoy Life!

Viv Writer and Me

Well I'm off on another adventure. With my avatar, Viv Writer, I have managed to travel all over the world in the online game of Second Life and I can't wait to begin another adventure.

I saw the 1995 video, "Runaway" and it just made me think of how the online game of Second Life has been a great place to get away from it all, meet great people, see wonderful art work and without having to purchase a plane ticket. You know how much I love to fly...NOT. I hope you have a good time exploring the online game of Second Life. Go have FUN!

Antique Trunk

I love vintage things and now my friend Julia Hathor has come up with this lovely antique trunk. I simply had to get it! It is lovely. She also has these wonderful quilts in a basket and hanging on a outside line. They even blow in the wind. Her talent is amazing. If you are in the online game of Second Life you simply must stop by and see her wonderful creations.

The quilts bring back such wonderful memories for me. I love the art of quilting and really wish I had more time and talent to do it.

Thinking About "it"

I went to mass tonight. It really is refreshing for me to go to mass midweek. It seems to keep me in a place I need to be to stay focused on what matters in the "big picture". So many times we get bogged down with things that don't matter.
Mass makes me know what matters. Where there is peace, love and happiness, I will be there.

Enjoy Life!

New York Gallery

Interesting

This evening was really interesting. I was working in Nana's Noshes when the phone rang. To be honest when I get engaged in what I am doing, I don't like to be distracted. I will not answer the phone if I know I can't give you my full attention. For some reason, however, I took the call. I'm glad I did. It was a dear friend who wanted to talk. This in and of itself is not uncommon. I have several friends that love to call and vent.

Anyway, as they were talking, I realized how well some people use their words to paint pictures, vivid pictures, that put you in the moment. We talked for a long while and I think I left the conversation more refreshed than before.

As I write my short stories, I hope to use my words to not only tell stories but to paint pictures that put you in the story. I hope to use my paint brush, full of words to draw you into the story and keep you engaged.

Well, it's back to work in Nana's Noshes. It was fun shopping for furnishings for the place. I don't have a great deal of style when it comes to decorating but I have a dear friend who is training to be an interior designer, in real life, that will help me.

I feel blessed to have people in my life that share common interests.

As always...

Enjoy Life!

Boating Adventure

I went boating. What a wonderful adventure. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I can't think of a more peaceful way of spending an afternoon. A nap on the water is easy. Now, I gotta figure out what do to about the sun burn.
I love fishing but I must explain. I don't really know if what I am doing is actually called fishing. I am really just holding the fishing pole. I don't put worms on the hook. I think that is disgusting for all involved. I don't take the little fishy off the hook because I think that is dangerous. They will fin you. I do like holding the fishing pole especially if it matches my outfit. I get some exercise casting and reeling in but that is all. I love fishing from a pier or on a boat but it has to be a big boat. I don't like the little boats because I feel like I'm gonna fall out. So, I guess what I like to do is sit quietly and hope a fishy doesn't choose my baited hook. What would you call that? I call it fishing but I bet you don't.

Enjoy Life

Relax

MRI

Well, the MRI testing I went through today was not as bad as I thought. It was very scary but everything scares me. My doctor was kind enough to request an open MRI. I kept my eyes shut tight and dreamed of being on the beach. My mental pictures were fabulous. I also got to listen to country music. That was wonderful!! If the music was show tunes I would have been happier but country music runs a close second so all was well.

I had the loving support of kind friends there and I can't tell you how much that helped me through this. My circle of friends have been with me through so much that, "thank you", just doesn't seem like enough to say. I think I will shop for something nice for them as a token of appreciation.

In the online game of Second Life, I went to visit the University of Wisconsin. They have a fabulous health building. They seem to offer classes too. I saw the building where there is a MRI room and a X-Ray room.

In case you are wondering what MRI stands for and what it is. Here is some information for you.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to evaluate the lumbar region for bone degeneration or injury or disease in tissues and nerves, muscles, ligaments, and blood vessels. MRI scanning equipment creates a magnetic field around the body strong enough to temporarily realign water molecules in the tissues. Radio waves are then passed through the body to detect the “relaxation” of the molecules back to a random alignment and trigger a resonance signal at different angles within the body. A computer processes this resonance into either a three-dimensional picture or a two-dimensional “slice” of the tissue being scanned, and differentiates between bone, soft tissues and fluid-filled spaces by their water content and structural properties. This noninvasive procedure is often used to identify a condition requiring prompt surgical treatment.

Uncle... Uncle!

Oh my gosh, I never thought I would be in this much pain from a body part. Not since the birth of my child have I been in this much pain. Just when you think there is no hope, enter a ray of hope. I hope my aging body parts get it together real soon but it's enough to make you cry, "Uncle, uncle!!", to make it all stop and go away. Unfortunately, my pain is saying, "Uncle who?" Well, I try to relax in the thought that help is on the way. I hope you NEVER experience this pain. Take care of you!

Enjoy Life

Working Hard

I don't think I've worked like this in a long time. I am still having fun or else I wouldn't do this. You know, even though this is a great deal of work, the feelings I have about my work makes all worth it.

Enjoy Life

Flash back

I remember the first typewriter I received. It was not a corona but it was probably the most import item I ever owned. I still have it and it is still very precious to me. A neighbor thought enough of me to leave it to me prior to her passing on.

I remember visiting and typing or maybe I was just playing. Either way, I was having a great time. Oddly enough when she passed on, I couldn't type anything. I took it home and placed it on my desk. It gathered dust for two years. I packed it up and took it to college with me. I didn't use it at college but I carried it with me from one year to the next.

I suppose it was one of those tokens that made me feel good.

Today, those of us who remember typewriters remember good and bad things about them. Yes, I do prefer computers but I still like to take out the typewriter and set it up. I actually tried to type on it recently and my fingers were hurting at the end of paragraph one.

Above you will see a typewriter I found at a vintage place online in Second Life. I love looking at it and I have decorated my shop with it. It adds style to my place. Here's to the old typewriter!

Enjoy Life!

On the beach

What a very nice time I had this holiday. Life can be good when you are surrounded by kind and loving people in your life. I think a great time was had by all.

Eclectic

Well, many of you like this picture. I'm fond of it myself. So, maybe this one will make it in. I can't really say for sure right now. My taste is so eclectic and it shows in everything I design. On one hand I attribute this to my continuing to learn more and more about the powerful software, photoshop. It seems the more choices I have the more I want to use all of them somehow. It works sometimes but other times it's disastrous.
If this one is the cover I would be satisfied but I still think it's missing something. Maybe you can put your finger on it. Write me and let me know what ya think, kk? vivwriter@gmail.com

The Closer I Get To You...... Friday!!!!

Yes, it's Friday again. Oh how I could use an endless medley of just Fridays. After a full week of work I don't feel bad about celebrating the three day weekend.
Well, I am gonna go on several adventures in the online game of Second Life and find some fun in real life too.
As always, I hope you.....

Enjoy Life!

A Great Big Hug!

Thank you so much for supporting me! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the residents of Second Life who have purchased my child animations. They are fun to make and you purchasing them makes me feel really good. I had been made to feel a "certain way" about being a child avatar at one time but I realize everyone has an opinion and I don't have to agree with it nor do I need to let negative unkind people have an affect on me. People are child avatars for whatever reason they choose. I love it because I have fun playing. If that makes me anything negative in your mind, that is your mind and I'm just glad it's not mine. Good luck with that.

I will get back to making more and largely because of the many suggestions you have given me. They are all "do-able" and I will get right on it once I have finished the last bits and pieces of my book. I am having too much fun with that.

My very dear friend purchased membership for me in the Romance Writers of America. I want to finish my book in time for the conference which is coming up very soon. Maybe I will see you there.

I was so shocked to received such a wonderful, and thoughtful gift of becoming a member of the Romance Writers of America. It feels good when someone enjoys what you do so much that they want to support you in some way. That gesture alone not only opened doors for me as a writer but made me feel worthy of going through those doors. You just gotta have FRIENDS! I am lucky I got some and wouldn't trade nuffin for 'em.

Enjoy Life!

Back from the Beach

What a wonderful week end. I have had such a relaxing time. I often wonder if I would appreciate the beach as much if I lived there. Right now my occasional visits are a welcomed treasure. It never fails, my short visits always leave me yearning for more. I can't wait until I return to see more of God's beauty. I can honestly sit and contemplate for hours looking out at sea. I wonder if the people who are fortunate enough to take a cruise feel the same way? In any case, I had a lovely time and hope to visit again in the near future.

Enjoy Life!

It's Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, it's Friday and you know what that means. It means rest and relaxation. For me it's time to regroup. I think I want to spend my time near the water. Off I go to watch the beautiful ocean. There simply is nothing like it.

In the game Second Life, I like to visit my favorite sims that have beaches and with the sound effects, you almost feel like you are there. Might I suggest you look up some of Julia Hathor's sims. Not only are they a beautiful but by the ocean they are very pleasant and relaxing to watch. Right behind my shop on Publishers Island is another place I frequent. The owners have created a place for the writers and friends to relax and chat by the water.

In real life or in the game of Second Life, I hope you go out and....

Enjoy Life

It's one of those GREAT days!

This is part of a wonderful castle we toured in Germany. I wish I could remember the name of it. We took many great pictures but didn't think to write down the name of the castle because I just knew I would remember forever. Wrong! If you just so happen to know its name please email me and let me know, vivwriter@gmail.com.

The trip was fabulous and we toured several places in Germany that are now a bit of a blur. My suggestion to all who love to travel foreign lands, is to keep a journal of not only what you do but possibly a description of the places. I might also suggest purchasing a postcard with the picture of the place with information about the place written on the back of the postcard. While these are not always available, when they are, it's a wonderful way to remember what you saw.
I now keep a small memo pad with me and when I take a picture of something with my digital camera I either number it or describe the picture using the name. Wish I was that clever then. Hind sight is.....

Dark Night

Am I having fun? If you guessed YES then you are 100% correct. I am having the best time creating today. My friend told me about this wonderful site that features great backgrounds and brushes. The rest as they say, is FUN! Get on down and get you some and....

Enjoy Life!

Bandit

Hi, my name is Bandit. I must admit the name fits but I only steal your heart. I am as sweet as can be and my owner takes great care of me. It's raining now so my owner purchased this cool raincoat. I'm diggin' it. What!? Don't you have a raincoat too?

This was a fun thing to do. I am creating Viv Writer bookmarks. This is the first one I created. If you would like one email me and let me know. I would be happy to share it with you in real life and in second life too. Stay tuned because there is more to come.

Enjoy Life!

Viv Writer

Today I had fun creating with digital scrapbooking. This is yet another outlet for me. There are so many things that make me smile. I feel blessed.


Enjoy Life!

Second Life Home and Garden Expo

Second Life is having their Home and Garden Expo. It is wonderful and exciting to see some of the best designers in second life gather. As I understand it, they are raising money for Relay for Life. I think this is a wonderful thing to do.

My friend Julia Hathor is very much involved in the Home and Garden Expo. She is one of the best designers in Second Life and the area she has set up is FABULOUS! I hope you go and see her beautiful creations.

I simply LOVE these Queen Anne chairs. They have multiple sit animations. They are really amazing. Gospel Voom is a internationally accredited designer, and it shows.

Action!

Flower Action

Well, today I discovered something new. Photoshop actions!!!!! I love it. I remember discovering photoshop brushes. It was the most fun ever. Now I have actions. I made the above flower with photoshop actions. I think it looks pretty. It says something about "flower power".

Anyway, discover photoshop for yourself. You too will find that it is a very power tool.

Enjoy Life!

Class In Session

Well, it's past my bedtime but I had to tell you about my animation class. It was so much fun. The teachers are so kind and patient. If you haven't gone to a class in Second Life you simply must try one. I learn so much. You can tip the teachers but you don't have to. They seem to be happy to share their information. They help us...

Enjoy Life!

New Nana's Noshes

OMG! I was strolling about the online game of Second Life and found this shop and fell in love with it. It is sooo right for the story I am writing. I can't wait to put stuff in it.

Koshari Mahana

I have got to tell you about my new friend Koshari Mahana. She is a wonderful builder who has created many Victorian homes on her sims. The pictures above were taken on her sims. I am totally lost on them right now because they are spread out and there is so much to see. If you get a chance, visit this lovely sim and you too will get lost in all there is to see.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Calraige/239/57/33/?title=Calraige

Enjoy Life!