Monday, October 31, 2005

Happy Halloween!

Happy birthday to both Lucy T. and Evan R. ! ! !

We tried to get in the spirit this year and even carved our own pumpkin at our neighbor's Pumpkin Carving Party! HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!!!!!
Sammi will greet the Trick-or-Treaters

The Beaupre Pumpkin '05!The Carving Party Collection

Friday, October 28, 2005

Why Blog?

Quote:

"It's not a bad idea to get in the habit of writing down one's thoughts.
It saves one having to bother anyone else with them."
-- Isabel Colegate

Unless, of course, you have a blog.

And then everything you write makes you wonder if you're filled with too much self-importance because of course you ARE bothering others with your random thoughts. Or maybe you're just too lazy to write with a pen in an actual journal (that seems to be my reason since I've got a box full of diaries going back to 1979 that barely make it past February 1st). I've been practicing with my blog for a few months now, without showing it to anyone. Now I think I'm ready to go public, but I'm in a quandry regarding what to write about. I'm self-conscious and I feel like it should be "important" or "insightful". On the other hand, I'm not looking for a Pulitzer Prize, I'm just journaling, right? Please be patient with me as I find my blog voice.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Miss Limpy's Mom

Okay, so I really shouldn't make fun of Sammi for injuring herself in the yard. Today, while raking leaves, I twisted my ankle and crumpled to the ground under our Oak tree. It's a little sore, but I'm fine. *sigh* My right ankle likes to just fall out from under me.... this has happened on numerous occasions, on various surfaces (totally flat concrete, bumpy grass, top of the staircase), and in several different countries. *sigh*

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Renoir's Women

My parents were visiting us last week and my Mom and I spent a wonderful afternoon enjoying "Renoir's Women" currently at the Columbus Museum of Art. If you have a chance to see this unique exhibition, I highly recommend it. Pierre-Auguste Renoir has long been my favorite artist -- I feel a deep emotional connection to the people in his portraits. It's a magical combination of impressionist subtleties and piercing reality in the eyes.

This portrait of Madame Henriot is one of my favorites -- not as much because of what's on the surface, but for the story behind it. In reality, Madame Henriot, an actress and Renoir's lover, was not beautiful. She was plain, hairy, and a little husky. But her portraits portray such incredible beauty and peace -- because that's how Renoir saw her soul. I think we all hope to be portrayed with a little soft-focus and love.

Renoir's "Madame Henriot"

"We see the world not as it is, but as we are" -- Anais Nin

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Backyard dangers

Little Sammi likes to run into the "woods" near our neighbors yard and fantasize about catching rabbits and squirrels. Well, she came back inside today limping and bleeding from her toe... We couldn't really tell how serious it was, so within 10 minutes we were in the vet's office. She was SUCH a good girl, letting us carry her and holding her in the car. The vet's office was very busy on this Saturday morning, so she was anxious about all the people and other dogs around. Ultimately, she's fine... she snagged her nail on something (trying to climb a tree maybe?) and nearly pulled it out. Ouch! She's on antibiotics and pain meds, and we're giving her all kinds of special attention. Of course, we'll be calling her "Miss Limpy" for at least a week...