Project Children

Find out more about Project Children in the online game of Second Life. It is indeed a wonderful project and has done loads of good in Real Life.

The Dead Man of Varley Grange

I am listening to the most amazing story right now. I love storytime in the online game of Second Life.

The story is called, " The Dead Man of Varley Grange". The actor telling the story is doing a wonderful job. I love great acting. His name is Shandon Loring. I have heard him perform before and enjoyed him then too.

Relaxing at home

Make Applesauce

For the past few nights I have been making applesauce. I forgot how delicious it is. The trick is, I think, is picking the right apples. I haven't mastered that part I'm afraid. Maybe you know the best apples for the job.
To be honest, I have enjoyed all of the apples I picked. My favorites so far are the Gala Apples. Rome apples are too mushy for me and Granny Smith are too tart but they all seem to make great applesauce.
Mixed with just the right amount of cinnamon and we have a delicious treat. Go try it and....

Enjoy Life!

Ready to go Skating?

I want to tell you about the best place to skate in the online game of Second Life. I simply love it and I must share it with you.

There is simply no place like it. There are even free skates! The music is lovely and the setting is very romantic and relaxing.

If you have the opportunity, teleport to Spellbound Woods. It's the absolute answer to the question, "Where is the best place to ice skate in the online game of Second Life?"

Enjoy Life!

Big!

When I went to the State Fair I saw some great sights. This pumpkin was one of them. It had to be the biggest pumpkin I have ever seen in my life!

The question for me became, "What will they do with such a pumpkin?" That could make a great deal of pies. Imagine how many pumpkin seeds are in that! Anyway, it was big and amazing to me.

I sorta wish I liked pumpkins, but I don't like the taste. It's very bitter to me. For those of you who love pumpkins....

Enjoy Life!

Magical Wonderland

Julia Hathor has indeed created a lovely magical wonderland. Where? Well, I'll tell you, Spellbound Woods. It is the most enchanting place in the online game of Second Life. I am starting to visit a bit earlier than last year but well worth it. She has made a few changes but all for the best.

The whole sim reminds me of Christmas past. All good things have been included in this lovely tribute to the holidays.

Go and visit the magic!

Enjoy Life!

Hmmm

Hmmm? I've been saying that all day. I've been lost in thought for most of the day. I'm glad it's the end of the week. I need time to sort out all of these ideas that seem to be racing at speeds greater than I can handle.

We are preparing for productions and I am juggling several at once so I'm always thinking about one or more of them. None of this is new to me. What might be different this time is that I'm really at a point in writing a short story that I can't write myself out of. This too is not a first but no less frustrating.

I need a lovely ride through the fall countryside or maybe to my favorite place on earth, the beach. I think I'll start packing.

Enjoy Life!

My Love

Well, I've been away for a few days catching up on some real life adventures. I've had a great time and gathered more inspiration for my short stories.

It's amazing to me how we touch each others lives. It just confirms for me that we are here for each other. How some go through life thinking they can do it all by themselves is still a mystery,

I'm not saying that you can't do everything by yourself. I believe you can but why would you want to?

Oh, the thought occurs to me that maybe you were hurt and that is why you choose to do things on your own. Maybe someone broke your heart so it's difficult for you to engage again in this process we call life. These are indeed painful events but life is about chances, and taking risks. Sometimes the risks pay off and other times they fail. So my thought for you today is, "Learn to fail". For some, they also need to, "Accept success".

Whatever it is you need to do, figure it out so that you can....

Enjoy Life!

Just Fabulous

I went to the best reading tonight in the online game of Second Life. The actors were really talented. I am so glad to have gone. Even after all this time, I am still amazed and it makes me smile to witness such talent. I can't wait until the next reading. They seem to get better each time.

The reading tonight was with two actors. The other readings I had been to in the past had one actor but the one tongiht had two. There was such a great chemistry between the two actors. It was simply wonderful to listen to.

I hope you one day have the opportunity to join us in the online game of Second Life to hear the wonderful talents the actors give freely.

Enjoy Life!

Just Relax

It felt good to get away this weekend and JUST RELAX. I don't always get to do that during this time of the year.

We are now entering the holiday season. We kick things off with the trick or treat thingy. Our little one wants to be a cat... again.

I have got to plan a wonderful Thanksgiving menu. Last year was good but I want to make it better this year.

I'm sitting by the fire at Julia's new place in the online game of Second Life. I love it! The fire is beautiful just like all of her items. In a little while I shall go over and see her singing lamp posts. Julia is so creative. Who would have thought of singing lamp posts? Anyway, I'll sit by the fire in the Second Life and in Real Life and dream of my Thanksgiving menu. More on that later:)

Enjoy Life!

It's Friday

You simply must do a little jig when Friday comes! I am.

Enjoy Life!

A favorite place to be

Do you have a favorite place to be? I do. I long for my special places where I can relax and just be me. I love to watch my favorite shows, read my inspiring magazines, and eat whatever my sweet tooth desires.

Unfortunately, life does not give everyone the opportunity to enjoy our favorite places all of the time. For some, they clearly get to enjoy whatever they want whenever they want but that is simply not true for all. The good news is that when you are given the opportunity to enjoy your favorite space and do the things you most love to do, be grateful for it and feel really blessed.

Enjoy Life!

There is always... HOPE

Today I listened to life monologues from over ninety people. It was truly an emotional day. With each story I could feel the joy or the gut wrenching pain they were living or are living through.

The words suddenly became pieces in songs in my head. The sad ones made me weep. The joyous ones made me laugh with tears rolling down my face.

Their songs were special and as the last monologue was completed I heard the words, "There was hope. There is always... hope"

Enjoy Life!

Me and Ms. PJ Gibson

When I was in graduate school I met the most amazing playwright. She was a great inspiration. It was wonderful to meet Ms. Gibson because my mentor, Dr. Jones, assigned so many projects that revolved around her work.

It was wonderful to finally meet the genius behind the work. I remember having lunch and going shopping with Ms. Gibson. She gave me wonderful suggestions on my writing and my writing process that I use even today.

If you are ever in New York and have the opportunity to see one of her plays, take it from me, GO SEE IT!

Want to know more about Ms. PJ Gibson? See below.

Enjoy Life!

P.J. GIBSON holds a M.F.A in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University and a B.A. in Drama, Religion and English from Keuka College. To date she has written over thirty plays, Long Time Since Yesterday has alone had upwards of sixty productions, her other works have been presented throughout the United States, Europe and Africa. A published writer, Ms. Gibson also has numerous poems and short stories to her credit. She has been the recipient of many honors including the Audelco VIV Pioneer Award, the National Black Theatre Festival's August Wilson Playwright Award; the Bushfire Theatre of Performing Arts Seventh Annual "Walk of Fame" where her signature and hand print is imprinted in their Sidewalk of Fame, a Shubert Fellowship, a playwriting grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, two prestigious Audelco Awards, two PSC-CUNY Research Award grants and six playwriting commissions. She was the Celebrated Playwright at The Ensemble Studio Theatre's Going To The River 2003 festival, and will receive the honor of being included in the Hatch-Billiops Collection Inc. Artist and Influence program in the spring of 2004. Ms. Gibson's plays and poetry performances have been presented throughout the United States, Europe and Africa. In addition to her writing Ms. Gibson is an Associate Professor of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. She has been an Artist In Residence at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She holds a Proclamation from the city of Trenton, New Jersey and a Key To The City from Indianapolis, Indiana.

State Fair

I'm going to the State Fair today. I've never been to a state fair before. Can you imagine? To be honest, I have seen pictures and I'm not thrilled about the animals. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the animals, it's the smell I could do without. They don't looked thrilled to be there either.

Anyway, I have also seen pictures of the food. That is what I am looking forward to. I must say the chocolate fried bacon sounds interesting but more than likely I won't try that. Maybe I'm too conservative. I'll stick with the funnel cake.

I have noticed that the older I get I pay more attention to detail then I have before. I use to eat hot dogs from street vendors in New York. You couldn't pay me any amount of money to eat them today. From the time the vendor puts his hands in the pot and pulls out the hot dog with his fingers, to the grease covered case he pulls the buns out, is a stomach churning event and all of that is before I put it in my mouth. That NASTY I can't look past.

I have a feeling the state fair might be the same. My friends tell me to pray over it and hope for the best. There is a flaw in that but if I stop to figure it out I won't go to the fair. So I won't put too fine a point on it, move on and....

Enjoy Life!

My Favorite

I LOVE candy bars! I saw this candy bar and just had to have it. From Ecuador? Well, I don't know how true that is but I did like the design of the wrapper. Almost too good to eat.

I did say almost so, I'll go and eat my candy bar now. Take care and...

Enjoy Life!

Oh my pretty bangles

I love bracelets! I found these in the online game of Second Life and really enjoy them. I wish I had some like it in real life.

In real life, I love the sound bangle bracelets make when you move your arm. Clang-clang. I have one and it is really pretty but without two they don't make the clang-clang sound.

Anyway, just wanted to show you my lovely SL bracelets. Slow day today and not much to report.

I did go to a wonderful talent show tonight. I am of the opinion that TALENT is relative. I had really stopped going to talent shows. If the truth be known, I don't know how to act at those things. Some of those poor young people up there looked terrified. They looked like someone forced them to be there.

Tonight, there was one little girl dressed like Uncle Sam, complete with a flag. OMG!!! The poor child. I cried through the whole song. God Bless America, yeah, but I was really wanted God to bless her heart. She didn't look like she wanted to do it and it didn't look like she wanted to be there. She got through it and at the end she and I were happy.

Is it right for parents to make kids try things they really don't want to do? Well, obviously I don't approve. I believe if someone shows a genuine interest in something, yes, by all means go for it.

When my daughter wanted to juggle for the talent show, I wasn't overjoyed but I did find myself at Barnes and Noble buying the complete set of how to juggle. Yes, she lost interest after about three days but at least she tried something new and she knows she is supported in whatever she wants to do.

Encourage and support our young ones. Making them do things you always wanted to do and things they are not interested in doing just does not sound like fun to me. They too should,

Enjoy Life!

A Flea Market Find

I found a lovely Doris Day album at a flea market called, Bright and Shiny. It was a fabulous find. I love to listen to this album. It has such happy songs. You can't help but smile and sing along.

Gosh, I miss the days of old but I am glad to find a few of them at the flea market.

Enjoy Life!

Who's a Lounge Lizard

Back in the day.....

Yeah you guessed it. I was a true lounge lizard. A group of friends and I would make the rounds to the various lounges in the area where other friends were performing. It was a fun time with great food, incredible jokes, and delightful music. I have yet to work with a more talented group of musicians.

Like clockwork each of us would be called up to sing a song. I don't know why "Rockin' Robin" was favorite of mine. I was also known to sing, "The Birth of the Blues".

Imagine my surprise when today I was stopped by a complete stranger who cautiously approached me and asked did I use to sing in a specific lounge. I couldn't believe someone was around who remembered those days. I did confess to being that singer and they were very pleased.

The compliments were lovely to hear but I think what I appreciated most was remembering a lovely time in my life.

I hope to always remember how blessed I have been with the rich experiences I have lived through.

Enjoy Life!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Raven Hollow/136/175/33/?title=Raven Hollow

Raven Hollow

I went to Raven Hollow today and took some pictures. It was scary to be sure. Julia is a fabulous designer and artist. Please go by and you too will be thrilled. Each time I go I find something else new.
This time I found the bats! They were just hanging around. Then there was the bear! It was a cute bear and it was animated. Julia does very well with animating her animals. This bear has his arm around a basket of berries. Truly a must see.

Enjoy Life!

The Way I See It

"It's always darkest before the dawn". That phrase seems to fit me so well today. Yesterday I was low but today is a great deal brighter. This tends to happen to many of us. I actually choose to be positive and not let negative thoughts take over. It just seems to work for me.

Today I enjoyed a lovely church service with people who touched my heart. This was Homecoming Sunday. I thought that was odd at first because I didn't understand. I'm still not sure I fully comprehend what it really means but here is what I got from it.

This Sunday was a wonderful opportunity to come back home to the church especially for those who have been away for a long time. It was also an opportunity to ponder why your church is home and what makes it a home. Lastly, it was a time to take note that this place we live in is not a permanent home. As depressing as that may sound, it is indeed the truth.

Some spend a lifetime creating beautiful and magnificent homes and for what? To live in and to leave to other family members (to fight over) but it's only for a relatively short period of time. I suppose one could say, "Well, while I'm here I am going to create the best home ever"! That indeed is a great way to look at it but at what cost to you and others?

That is just how I see it.

I try to live a life that includes giving, caring, loving, and listening to my heart.

Enjoy Life!

Engaged

Today I was very engaged in thoughts and things other than my work. This was odd for me. I suppose I needed the break. I was preoccupied with thoughts of others close to me.

I can't heal the pain others feel and that pains me. It's a flaw in my personality I can't resolve. I've been this way since a child.

I cry for others in pain and try to be there for them with hopes that in some small way it will ease the pain. Maybe that is vain on my part to think such a thing.

We all have to experience bumps life brings about, I suppose. My mentor once told me, "Trouble doesn't miss anyone". I am just naive enough to think we have friends and family to help us through the bad patches. It won't be the first time I was wrong.

Enjoy Life!

A good friend died today. A sad time in our life.

What a very strong and humble person.

A understated smile with whispers of love.

Rest in the same peace, love, and happiness you gave to all of us.

Vintage

In my recent cleaning state, I have been finding loads of things I thought was lost forever. I was very pleased to find somethings but felt sadness when I found others.

I decided to add this concept of lost and found to my short stories in The Adventures of Viv Writer.
I love that the online game of Second Life has so many vintage places to visit and shop. I hope to visit as many as I can in the coming days.

I think maybe I am stuck in the very past because I can't wait to go to the Renaissance Fair which set to start soon. Our State Fair will begin soon too. If you are someone who always says, "That's not fair". Now is the time to visit one. Believe it's the only time life gets fair.

"Life is not always fair but Life is good."

Enjoy Life!

Mail Call

I Fall To Pieces

New Shop!

I found the most charming shop today. It's called, Alchemy's Attic. Here is the address: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Alchemy Immortalis/77/62/67/?title=Alchemy Immortalis
I really loved how the place was organized. It was very relaxing and I wanted to explore the lovely treasures.

Enjoy Life!

I have been working on my first passion and that is, writing plays. I actually wrote this play in high school. Wow, that was many moons ago. Anyway, I have resurrected it and have made it publisher ready. It's available in the online game of Second Life.

Stop by if you can. The address is: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Book Island/192/88/44/?title=Book Island

Enjoy Life!

The Next Generation

This is next generation of wonderful actors. Their parents were wonderful actors and now they are too. I'll leave it to you to figure out who their parents are. From left to right pictured are:
Finty Williams, Lucy Briers. and Rachel Pickup.
What I think is wonderful is that they are starring in a play together. Go on and ACT UP!

My short stories have such simple and short titles. I Love It!

Enjoy Life!

Picture it

I love creating! I made this picture for my loft in the online game of Second Life. If you have the opportunity, visit me in Second Life, drop by and see my awesome gallery.

Enjoy Life1

Designer Duck Judi


Support Breast Cancer Awareness with our celebrity duck designed exclusively for Cancer Research UK by Dame Judi Dench. The Judi Duck has a white pearlised finish, pink painted beads around its neck and a pink heart detail on the rear!
Dimensions: 9cm high Material: plastic Photograph of Dame Judi Dench by Keith Hamshere
Cancer Research UK is the largest funder of breast cancer research in the UK. We are working to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and beat breast cancer. The profit from this purchase will be dedicated to our vital breast cancer research.
100% of the profits will go directly to Cancer Research UK’s lifesaving research
Gift wrapping service available
Secure Payment via World Pay
No quibble returns policy
International delivery is available via our order hotline on 0845 009 6549 between 9am and 5pm BST Monday-Friday
http://www.giftshop.cancerresearchuk.org/products/designer-duck-judi/

Georgette Heyer

I love these books by Georgette Heyer. Maybe one day you will try these lovely historical romance novels.

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Denmark

I went to Denmark in the online game of Second Life. It was very nice. I didn't understand the language so it was a bit limiting but there was so much to enjoy that the lack of language skills was not an issue.

If you would like to go, here is the address: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wonderful Denmark/123/137/22/?title=Wonderful Denmark

Have a wonderful time and...

Enjoy Life

Lurpak Butter

Now this looks good and it's EASY. I like when it's easy.
This cake is very easy to make, because it doesn´t need to be baked. In Denmark, it is a popular cake for children of any age. The recipe is easy enough for most children to prepare themselves.

I have a young one who is at the age where projects must be done for school. I think I get more excited about them than she.

For this next product we (and when I say we I mean she) has to research Denmark and in addition to the list of things she has to gather together for her presentation, she also has to bring in a covered dish from Denmark. Hmmmmm.
I thought long and hard about this one. We (and when I say we I mean me) decided that Danish cookies would be a wise choice. We even went out and purchased some butter from Denmark. I wouldn't know where to start to get Danish eggs, so we will settle for the butter.

I decided to look up some information about the butter and noticed the website also had recipes. I looked through them and saw several we could do. The pictures looked great!

What was interesting to note was how simple the Danish cookie recipes were and they weren't very sweet. In American recipes especially the ones I have seen in the south, have loads of sugar.

On this dreary day

This morning is a bit dreary outside. A dreary Saturday calls for a lovely cup of tea and a good magazine to ponder.

I love a proper cup of tea. I am excited to try the new French honey I purchased recently. I shop for teas and honey on a regular basis for just this occasion.

Later, I will comb through my recipe books for the perfect Saturday Soup. I find it relaxing to make a big pot of soup. I suppose for some cooking is a chore but for me on days like today I look forward to that adventure.

Speaking of adventures, my adventures in the online game of Second Life have been delightful. With the season changing, all of my favorite artists are busy creating things I find lovely and most charming. I hope to take pictures to show you all. The above picture is of a lovely coffee set I found in Second Life. I simply love looking at it. I don't drink coffee as I prefer tea. I hope to find a lovely tea set one day.

For now I will enjoy my favorite tea and magazine. I hope your day gets off to a good start as well.

Enjoy Life!

Mad World?

Today someone sang this song during an audition. To be honest, I had never heard it before. I don't think I understand it fully but I do know I enjoy the song. The song paints different images that tie in with the title. I would guess the songwriter is a young visual artist who loves watching the world around them and who has done a fabulous job expressing the images that are concrete yet abstract. I don't know if it's a Mad World either. I don't see the world as Mad. Maybe we are just controlled chaos and some are just off a bit at times but not Mad.
In any case I do like the song and hope you will too.
Enjoy LIfe!

There is a musical I am working on (I'm always working on something). Here is part of a song I came up with in a raw state at the moment. The inspiration came from a recent conversation in the online game of Second Life. The person I was talking to was going through a difficult time.

The more I listened the clearer the picture became to me. It was a picture so many others have painted before. I felt really bad for this person but never expressed anything but compassion for the situation. What I really thought was,"What a waste". Here was this person spinning their wheels trying to be all things for someone and really didn't have a clue it was pointless.

How could you help but feel sorry for someone who simply can't see the whole picture. I have faith that one day they will see things clearly. In any case this song was born from that conversation. It's in a raw state but I wanted to share it with you.

Enjoy Life!

Falling for the Pumpkin Vine

Next to the Christmas season, The Fall season is another favorite time of year. No one does the Fall season in the online game of Second Life like Julia Hathor. You simply must go to her sim: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Raven Hollow/110/79/47/?title=Raven Hollow

Today I found one scary tree with hands and branches. The fog below just added to the mystery giving me that creepy, scary feeling.

The climbing pumpkin vine arch was lovely. I stood and just admired the great thought and creativity that went into designing such a lovely piece of work.

I continue to cheer on my dear friend who is outstanding and simply the best at creating/designing the things she does.

Julia, thanks for making Second Life a better place with your creative genius.

Enjoy Life!