A journey of a thousand miles begins with...

...apparently unpacking half of the shoes I really WANT to take, and withdrawing twice as much money from the bank as I probably should.

"Happy Landings"

Bank balances aside, I love to travel for so many reasons.  One of which is it makes me realize how truly small I am in the grand scheme of things.  So "James Dean" and I are off on an adventure for a few weeks.  Which also means...Blog-cation time.  

"I haven't been everywhere,

but it's on my list."

--Susan Sontag

See you all on the flip side...

--Kathy

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"Sing us a song, you're the piano man...

Sing us a song tonight.
Well we're all in the mood for a melody,

and you've got us feelin' alright."

--Billy Joel (Piano Man)

"Piano Man"
Denver, Colorado

I ALMOST could believe I was in a live episode of "Glee" while strolling down the 16th Street pedestrian mall in Denver.  How cool is this!!!???!!!  Old piano's, painted with various artworks, wheeled out and placed randomly up and down the mall.  Free for people to plop themselves down and pretend they are Liberace Billy Joel.  

Oh to have the talent AND self-confidence to just sit down in public to perform.  And oh how nice to stroll this street in Denver, take photos, shop, AND listen to live music all at the same time.

If tickling the ivories isn't your forte'...perhaps a more cerebral game of chess amidst the sweet sounds of the piano keys, and sunshine?

"Searching for Bobby Fischer"
Denver, Colorado

Maybe strolling and gazing at that beautiful blue Denver sky to the strains of a melody is more up your alley?

And it's ALWAYS fun to shop with a live musical score accompaniment...

...not to mention eat in an outdoor cafe'

BUT, I can honestly say I've NEVER had my boots shined with the strains of "Piano Man" playing in the background, chess players calculating their moves, people shopping for chapeaus, supping on delicacies, all under the bluest sky I've ever seen!

Only in DENVER!!!!!

--Kathy

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The cult of Joepa...

"Against a Brick Wall"

My name is Kathy, and if the media is to be believed, I am completely brainwashed by the cult of Joepa and Penn State Football.  Like the Scarecrow "If I only had a brain".  I flourish by praying to a false idol named Joepa (who somehow has become the lightening rod to all who hate Penn State, and who's statue has been torn down and unceremoniously dumped into a storage bin in the bowels of Beaver Stadium).  And I DO love imbibing my blue and white Kool-Aid...spiked with Vodka for tailgating of course.  These past few weeks have been very hard to keep my mouth shut.  Sometimes I've succeeded, others I have not. It's tough feeling you need to "apologize" all the time for being a Penn Stater, something I take great pride in.  Metaphorically my back is against a brick wall.  Not a good place to be, because my only recourse is to come out swinging.  Living under a seige mentality is stressful.

But that isn't what I want to do.  What I WANT to do is to say I'm so sorry to those victims.  I still can't believe all that has been reported about the sex abuse and subsequent cover-up at the highest levels of Penn State.  I can't wrap my brain around the fact that innocent kids were so blatantly abused in the first place, and that so many people turned their backs instead of stopping it.  I HATE that this happened.  I HATE that it happened anywhere, let alone my beloved Penn State.  But I also HATE that we are all being lumped together in the media as having no brain of our own.  And I HATE the fact that unless you are a Penn Stater...I don't think you can truly relate, so trying to explain comes off as condoning child abuse to many outsiders.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

"Sunset on the House that Joe Built"

"It's just football".  I have heard so many acquaintances say this.  And I use the word "acquaintance" because if you were truly my FRIEND...you would know better than to say this to moi. On the surface yes, football is JUST a game. But it is so much more in my life.  Is it more important than the welfare of children?  ABSOLUTELY NOT.  But quite honestly...Penn State football guided the course of my life.   My future was set in motion when I was in 8th grade and saw a Penn State Nittany Lion football game being broadcast (in black and white) on tv.  There was just something about that scene I saw unfolding in front of me...the excitement, the sense of community, the PRIDE.  I knew right then and there that when the time came...I would be a Penn State Nittany Lion.  I never even considered another college after that game. And I wore my 1970's "Sh*t on Pitt" shirt with pride....oh yeah, AND to irritate my dad.

"Solidarity"

Just football.  It's where it all started but it morphed into so much more.  From that initial seed I met the Better Half.  Made life-long friends.  Received a top-notch education.  Took my very first photography course.  And thanks to Joepa and his teams my life proceeded down a path where Penn State took hold and flourished, football AND beyond...

"Things #1 and #2"

I was blessed with three "Things" who also came to love Penn State.  Two are Penn State grads.  One a Penn State varsity athlete and further continued his education at the Penn State Law School.  One a part of the country's largest collegiate philanthropic fundraiser...THON, which benefits childhood cancer research.  BOTH received excellent educations and I am proud to say in this economy BOTH are gainfully employed.  Will Thing #3 follow to Penn State?  As with all my Things...it's totally her choice. But never underestimate the ties of a shared past and experiences.  And yes, Penn State football has bound us all together.  We are football season ticket holders, and I consider tail-gating and laughing a legitimate fall sport in our household.

Not only are we season ticket holders, but we are also part of the community as we now own a second home in what we once considered "Happy Valley".  It is anything BUT that right now.  No matter what your opinion is of Penn State, Penn State football, or Joe Paterno...personally I have so much to thank them for.  But I'm not so blind as I'm also saddened, dismayed and yes...downright disgusted as to what HAS transpired.

"He Walks Alone"

It's very difficult to be "Penn State Proud" at the moment.  It's also very difficult to turn my back completely on an institution, a sport, and a man who have given me so much joy in both my life and that of my family.  I am confident there is a special place in hell (and prison) for pedophiles like former coach Jerry Sandusky.  But here comes the unpopular part...I can't help but feel sorrow for Joe Paterno and his family.  To see his life's work as a coach, educator and philanthropist be decimated one piece at a time...when he is not here to defend himself breaks my heart.  I won't apologize for my feelings of empathy. Joepa was no saint, and he would be the first to tell you that himself.  But he most definetly isn't the Devil either.  There are just too many lives he's touched and bettered that vouch for that fact.

Some days it is easier being a Penn Stater than others.  That's life.  Dealing with the good and the bad.  To recognize what is in front of you and not be fooled by either blind loyalty OR what the media wants you to see.  To formulate your own opinions and to have empathy for those who might have different life experiences and view things from another perspective.   Yes, I can attribute my Penn State education for that perspective too.

I guess what it comes down to is Penn State will always be a part of me.  It is family.  And just like family, sometimes it disappoints you, hurts you, and does things that truly boggle your mind.  But just like family you will always love it despite the disappointment. What is important is that we learn from it and move forward...perhaps even a tighter familial unit than we were before because of our shared difficulties.

"Always In My  Heart"

Penn State will always hold a piece of my heart.  And if THAT is the criteria for membership into the "Cult of Joepa"... then please mail me my membership card.  I'd rather have that, then an AARP card anyway.

What started as "just football",  has become so much more.

WE ARE (and always WILL be)...PENN STATE,

--Kathy

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NADA (just needed to express an opinion)

Scavenger Hunt Sunday (July 22, 2012)...

Welcome to the "Mile High City" edition of Scavenger Hunt Sunday.  In preparation for my big adventure to Europe next week, I made James Dean get spiffied up a bit and sent him off to the camera spa this week. Yeah, the guy is a bit high maintenance.  But then again...I MIGHT be accused of the same thing on occasion.  Regardless, James was unavailable to report for duties the past few days, which means...my Scavenger Hunt all took place pre-James Dean R&R while we were in Denver last weekend.

This week's prompts are:  Time Together, Tell Me a Story, Love or Couple, Duplicated and Wrapped.


1.  Time Together

"Brother and Sister"

What a perfect prompt for me this week.  My sister and I took the Madre' to Denver so she could see her big brother and spend some much overdue time together.  Gosh, I think we figured out it had been about 7 years since they saw each other.  I can't imagine not seeing my sisters for that long, but life has a tendency to get in the way sometimes.  As I pulled up to his house we could see my Uncle standing on the street looking for our car.  He immediately grabbed my mom's hand as she got out of the car.  This is the two of them walking down the sidewalk upon first seeing each other en route to spending some time together.

2.  Tell Me A Story

"Chasing Chase"

Not even gonna pretend this is technically anything but a lousy photo (iphone on the fly).  But it perfectly tells the story of our weekend in Denver.  Laughs, lots of laughs.  What are the chances that we fly from Philly to Denver and just so happen to find out we are staying in the SAME hotel as the Philadelphia Phillies????  If you don't know the Phillies, then I guess I should tell you I'm a bit obsessed  of a fan of Chase Utley's.  I WOULD have told him that I named my dog after him when we had breakfast together (and by together, I mean in the same restaurant...yes we were THAT close).  But  I didn't want him to think I was a weird stalker chick.  Actually, I'm pretty sure he was staying in the room directly across from ours (don't ask me how I know that, but I kinda do).  AND, I'm pretty sure after seeing this sign the Madre' and Sis won't be travelling anytime soon with me again. AND, Chase knows he's being chased.  Might as well have told him about my dog.


3.  Love or Couple

I'd LOVE to have a horse.  Actually, I'd love to have a COUPLE of horses.   This is my cousin's.  She has a few.  I think she could spare one.  It's just figuring out how to get him here from Denver.  And if he would be happy living in my garage.


4.  Duplicated

So do you think things reflect more brilliantly when they are a mile high above sea level?  Not sure that is a scientific fact...but it sure seemed to be the truth.  Caught this hanging plant duplicated by it's reflection in a cute little secluded courtyard near Larimer Square in Denver.

5.  Wrapped

"Wrapped in Beauty"

This is the view out the front of my cousin's home in Castle Rock, Colorado.  Despite it's beauty, I'm not sure I could live here.  I'm an East Coast gal, I like being surrounded by trees, and buildings, and people, and a certain level of noise.  The openness is breathtaking.  But I feel so exposed and vulnerable here.  Yet the Colorado sky is a piece of artwork unto itself.  The endless, unbroken sky literally reaches down and wraps you in an embrace.  God's hands are here.

And there ya have it.  The "Mile High City" edition of Scavenger Hunt Sunday.  This afternoon I pick up James Dean from his little vacay and preparations begin for our next journey...Europe.  I've never been to Europe with a "big girl" camera before.  So many questions.  How many  memory cards should I need?  What lenses will I pack?  Will I develop grotesquely huge arm muscles carrying all this stuff around Europe?  Will I get left in the dust taking photos as my friends and family move on without me? Will they even notice?  Will they leave me taxi fare to at least get back to the hotel?  How do I say "Could you please get out of my picture" in Spanish, Italian and French?  I know, I'll just ask Rick Steeves...he knows EVERYTHING.

Happy Sunday...

--Kathy

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Rocky Mountain High...

Well, how about a city street IN the Rocky Mountains?  Took the Madre' to Denver last weekend to visit her brother.  After dropping her off for a day of familial bonding, my sis and I took to the streets of Denver with our trusty side-kicks James Dean and ????? (come on Karen, name that traveling companion of yours, will ya?).  We wound up on the 16th Street pedestrian Mall.

WHY is it everywhere I travel it is stinkin' hot?  First Cincy and now Denver.  Who would have thunk I'd need to go to the Mediterranean in a couple of weeks to cool off??!!??  And seriously folks, whoever says "but it's a DRY heat" I'm just gonna have to give a Philly Italian Wooter Ice to cool them off because they are apparently suffering from heat stroke....but it's a DRY heat stroke.  At least the brilliant sun makes for some cool reflections.

The 16th Street Mall has a very eclectic smattering of bronze sculptures dotting it's landscape.

I have to say the stiltwalkers were my favorite.  Something about the juxtiposition of country kids playing on stilts in the midst of an urban backdrop captivated me.  Plus, they were smart because it was too dang hot to put your feet directly on the sidewalk.

Not exactly sure HOW this beauty was able to catch a breeze on this sweltering day...but good for her!!!  Apparently HER hair holds up better than mine in the heat.

And I just can't get America's "Horse With No Name" out of my head after this sculpture.   HATE when that happens.  Well, better than John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High"...

Soooo many photos to get thru, soooo little time before my next adventure.  Yikes, what is a full memory card to do????  More Denver nuggets tomorrow (Get it??!!??  Apparently still suffering the effects of a mile-high altitude).

--Kathy

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Scavenger Hunt Sunday (July 15, 2012)...

Greetings from Denver.  ACTUALLY, I'm on a plane on my way home from Denver.  I might ACTUALLY be over St. Louis as you read this.  But ACTUALLY, I'm sitting in my computer room at home preparing this post on Wednesday in anticipation of ACTUALLY being in an airplane flying home from Denver on Sunday.  So if it is Sunday, where am I....???????  Well I KNOW I'm not in Italy, bummer.

Now that I've totally confused ALL of us, this week's prompts are:  Water, Petal, Fresh, Eight, and Calm.

1.  Water

I was in Cincinnati last week.  It was 103 degrees.  I walked outside.  I saw water.  I took a photo.  I went back inside.  And THAT was about as much of Cincy as I saw.

2.  Petal

He loves me?  He loves me not?  Hmmmmm, since all petals are intact I guess we are undecided here.

3.  Fresh

"Oregano Anyone?"

Fresh herbs from my herb pot.  

4.  Eight

What could be better than wine jewelry?  Eight pieces of wine jewelry.

5.  Calm

"Stay Calm"
(Instagram)

I had such a cr*ppy workout the other day.  I stomped to the car, threw my headphones onto the car seat, admonished myself with a few choice words and then....looked over.  Maybe it was just me in my delusional worked-up state but doesn't this look like some happy whacked out guy saying "Just be happy, mon"?  Okay, maybe it's just me.  But it calmed me down anyway....mon.

Even tho it's Wednesday and I'm sitting in Philly, I'm sure that when you read this I will be flying home from Denver having experienced a FABULOUS time with some family I haven't seen in like....forevvvvvver.   And I just want to tell you the Mile High City lived up to every expectation that I had (keeping my fingers crossed on this one).  

--Kathy

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I married a man with a mullet...

I CRINGE to admit that, but it has been thirty years today since that mullet legally entered my life.  Luckily, the Better Half knows when to pick his battles, and when to let me win (or at least THINK I won).  Poof, the mullet soon went to the great 1980's graveyard in the sky.  I've never been very good at envisioning possibilities.  I'm much more visual and have to SEE things in front of me.  Luckily the great mullet experiment was an exception to the rule.

Even more fortuitous is that I somehow managed to stumble upon a person with the best quality I could EVER ask for when it comes to dealing with moi.  Patience.  Okay, maybe "stumble" isn't the right word.  More accurately I rounded a corner in the dorm and he assaulted me, out of the blue, with a trash can full of water.  Little did I know I would be entering my ONLY wet t-shirt contest that day, which I guess was kind of fortuitous for him.  A definite win-win situation.

I'm not even sure how I could possibly be doing ANYTHING for thirty years.  It truly boggles my mind.  We are polar opposites on pretty much EVERYTHING and ANYTHING.  I have always related us to Eva Gabor and Eddie Albert in "Green Acres".....you are my wife, goodbye city life!!!!!  Initially the "opposites attract" mentality was pretty cool, but after awhile you realize that you are, well...OPPOSITES.  And that brings a lot of head butting.  Funny how the things that initially attract you to someone wind up being the very things that drive you crazy.  

Better Half:  "Let's go look for Elk tomorrow"

Moi:  "What time do you want to go?"

Better Half:  "4 a.m."

Moi:  silence

Better Half:  "It will be fun"

Moi:  "How do you even FIND Elk?"

Better Half:  "You look for Elk droppings"

Moi:  "Soooo, you want ME to get up at 4 in the morning to look for Elk POOP?"

Better Half:  "Yeah"

Moi:  "How about if I just let you grow your mullet back?"

Truth be told, the Better Half has had it MUCH easier than me.  Luckily for him I've been consistently perfect.

Thirty years.  Wish I had some magical recipe to share with everyone.  Truth be told, I think I just stumbled through thirty years the same way I stumbled into that water fight.  Luck, and a Better Half with tons of patience.  Add in a big dose of hard work, respect and three incredible Things that truly bring our polar opposites to a central meeting point.  Oh yeah, and there is love too.  But I never believed the Beatles when they said "all you need is love".  Because you obviously need a good barber too.


--Kathy

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