The Violet Hour - One Year Old!

It is truly hard for me to believe that I have had this blog for one entire year! A magical mystery to be sure - as I never thought I would enter the Blogging World. Ah Renee.....you are the Sorceress who wielded that wand and gave me the courage to try....


Now, a year gone by - so many things have happened to our little blogging family - deaths, marriages, births - old friends gone, new ones here...LIFE does go on. And I have met all of you!!!!  Each one of you has enriched my life so much.


This is my first attempt at recording a poem.....one that has great meaning to me. It is written by the incredible J.R.R. Tolkien. The painting is done by the equally indcredible Lo.... her version of "Red Riding Hood and the Wolf"...it provides a lovely accompaniment to Tolkien's haunting words. I hope you enjoy it.

Love and Hugs to all of YOU!  I am glad you are a part of my life.

♥ Robin ♥

Winter....not gone yet..

It  has been and "interesting week" weather-wise in the Bay Area.   First - the smaller version of the Tsunmai - then a week of rain, rain and more rain!  Yesterday's storm was intense....  there even was a tornado watch in San Mateo,  (This is as rare as an earthquake in Iowa!)  No tornado arrived - but - there was a water spout at Ocean Beach  which was captured on film!   Looking out to the GG Bridge from my office on the 43rd floor, the rain was bouncing off the windows and glacier-like sides of the building like little pellets of ice. It was quite beautiful.  Last night - the storm raged on - with thunder and lightning (as rare as an earthquake in London)...but, in between thunder claps, I was able to see the moon peering out between the black clouds....  GORGEOUS! Tonight, I will miss the closest full moon in 19 years as we are expecting (wait for it).....     - another HUGE STORM....60 mph gusts.....  so, for those of you who have clear skies tonight - look up and enjoy the splendour for me!

Love,

A Waterlogged Robin

Animal Wednesday - Baby Animals Sing Mozart!

I am on time with my Animal Wednesday post!  I fell in love wth the simpliciry and charm of this.... after the initial stress of beginning a new job (I am still there after 10 days!), the horror of what ia happening in Japan and the almost-constant rain here in SF, THIS is what I wanted (and needed) to show to you all.

HAW!

Love, and please keep your prayers coming to Japan, Libya and Bahrain.

Always,

♥ Robin ♥

Tsunami Surge in Northern California

I know this is NOTHING compared to what the people of Japan have (and are still currently) gone through....but this morning, for the first time in my life - we, in SF and a bit further in Santa Cruz, experienced a Tsunami Alert.  Here are some of the images..... 20 boats sunk, 100 boats damaged - one person swept out to sea.


I was in San Francisco for the 1989 earthquake....but the one in Japan yesterday was 100 times as strong.

Here in SF - not too bad...but you can definitely see the powerful surge....below.... amazing to think that these waves originated in Japan.




But.....to leave you with a smile...here are our "infamous" SF Sea Lions.....only a little perturbed by the rocking AROUND!




Please keep the people across the world who have been affected by this in your prayers. It all reminds me of the classic

apocalyptic movie "On the Beach".


Love,

♥ Robin ♥

One Year Ago...March 9th

A rare and special person left her beloved families (her real family and her blogging family) and went to a land of eternal peace and love - to be greeted by her parents, her courageous nephew, Sheldon -   and just last month, she greeted her sister Jacquie.

She was (and still is) one of those rare people who is known by one name....  Renee.

Most of you who visit my Blog knew her - knew of her extraordinary ability to LOVE, her wicked sense of humour, her inate intelligence.  In her darkest, most pain-filled days, she could still give of herself - offering advice, guidance and sending strength to us all.  Renee TRULY was one in a trillion.

The picture of Alice and the Jabberwocky above was a part of Renee's blog for as long as I followed it.  When it looked like Renee was beginning to fail, I 

copied it (without asking) to have a visual momento of something that reminded me of her.  It's so perfectly Renee.... she never lost her child-like gift of wonder, she believed in a magical world and she knew Life was meant to be lived to the fullest.

I only knew her a short while - yet without her - I would not have met most of you....she was my Muse....the one who encouraged me to begin a blog....she gave me inspiration, she gave me hope....

So, to celebrate Renee's life on Earth, I leave you with a few words from some brilliant writers.

"He was part of my dream, of course - but then I was part of his dream too".   (Lewis Carroll)

" And it is this star, for ever unattained yet forever sought, that shines through all great poetry, through all great music, painting, building, and works of men, through all noble deeds, loves, speculations, endurings and endeavours, and all the splendours of "earth and the deep sky's ornament" since history began, and that gives (at moments, shining through) divine perfection to some little living thing."

(E.R. Edison)

Renee, I love you and I miss you....but a part of you still lives within my heart.  I love you " to the Moon and back".

Always,

♥ Robin ♥

Meet Dusty - aka "Klepto Cat"

I am late again doing an Animal Wednesday post....but, I was busy last week!  I HAD to share this with you all....  meet Dusty - a Peninsula Cat....who is a REAL "Cat Burgler"....... Dusty's fame has grown throughout the Bay Area - in fact, he will be the "Grand Marshall" at Redwood City's Pet Parade.  And.....an auction will be held for people to purchase some of Dusty's unclaimed "finds".  All proceeds will go to the local animal shelter! ENJOY!

Meow!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Working Girl!

Most of you know that besides breaking up with my Ex eighteen months ago,
I also lost my job.  It has been a hard, depressing time - as I have struggled to find employment.  Beginning tomorrow, I return to the Work Force!  It's part-time, and (sadly) only temporary, BUT - it's a start!

So think of me as I don my "Corporate Suit" and High Heels - at least for a few weeks!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥