Three Lucky Ducks Visit New York

.
.
I have just spent twenty four hours in New York.

With two of my favorite people on the planet.

In a chocolate shop.

Walking the neighborhoods.

Looking up at buildings.

Shopping in high end specialty stores
(I bought chocolate covered tortilla chips)
(Jess bought an eye liner at Coco Channel)
(Janet bought a sweater by Deborah Parker)

Mesmerized by the lights.

Eating amazing food,
including lightly fried chickpeas
with an aoli sauce to die for

Looking onto Times Square
from the 40th floor

Seeing the musical Billy Elliot
On Broadway

Riding a horse drawn carriage at night in the rain

Thanking every molecule I can for the chance
to see New York holidays

With my family....
.
.

Caroline's Auction for Z

About a week ago I asked for contributions to help one of my clients, a nineteen year old high school senior who has no adult anywhere to live with, to help her with a ride to school, food to eat, clothes to wear.

.

From ALL OVER THE WORLD we have raised $ 700. And we're not done!

.

My wonderful friend and amazing artist Caroline Soer has once again donated her artwork to auction to the highest bidder. Let me tell you, if you don't know, her work is stunning.

.

Caroline will be away so she has asked that two items from her be auctioned here on my blog. I am totally happy to oblige.

.

So let the bidding begin!

.

Just leave a comment here and say whether you are bidding on the cherries painting or the necklace. We'll keep this open until Tuesday at midnight. You will find a way to donate for Z through Paypal on my sidebar or mail a check or cash.

.

Then I will gather the kindness of so many wonderful people--from Australia and California and the United Kingdom and Taos and Arizona and Colorado and Malaysia and Massachusetts and New Hampshire and Detroit and British Columbia and the Netherlands.

.

Then I will present a check to Z's Guidance Counselor at school and he will tell her that the anonymous caring and generosity of people from all over the world will be angel dust to her wishes and dreams.

.

So perhaps you'll be bidding on the perfect gift for someone or for yourself.

.

LOOK!

Cherries ©Caroline Soer 2009

This print has been made from one of Caroline's original watercolour paintings - 'Cherries'. It has been printed on high quality Somerset enhanced 100% cotton paper with archival inks. Size approx 21 x15 cms. (Not mounted or framed). There will be no watermark on the print!
.
.
And the necklace is a lovely spicy combination of handmade lampwork beads, black onyx, coral, Thai silver, tiny Swarovski crystals and glass beads.

.

♥

thank you

The We-Treasure-You Chest

.
.

I know better than to write long post this time of year. Time is so precious.
.
This post is not only long it is sad.
.
It's sad because the special author of this post, Renee, died not even three months after she wrote her story of receiving The Treasure Chest.
.
It's long and sad and it's also totally lovely.
.
Lovely as in LOVE.
.
If you know Renee, you will understand and I think you will be glad to hear her words.
.
If you don't know Renee, I still think you will understand and you will be glad to hear her words.
.
Here is some history: Last year at this time I kj was tracking a Treasure Chest sent to Renee. The Treasure Chest was filled with gifts from around the entire world. Handmade and special gifts filled with love from her blogging friends.
.
I mailed the Treasure Chest on December 2 and I tracked it right up until the morning of December 24th because it had not arrived. I was frantic because Renee was dying and time was precious.
.
The Treasure Chest arrived the afternoon of Christmas Eve.
.

.
This is Renee's report of the Treasure Chest (tken from her blog)

.

On Christmas Eve I received a treasure chest. It was gold and green speckled and I knew that it would leave an X marked on my heart forever, before I even opened it, I knew it would.

Christmas day arrived with many bangs by the bats. They did not want to go outside to play; they said it was too cold. So inside they stayed. I fed them a little bit of bat poison and they seemed to fall asleep. Good thing.

We had a wonderful Christmas dinner with curry shrimp, dhal purrie, stewed chicken, trifle and wine.

We sang to Domenic ‘Domenicky nicky nicky nicky Domenicky nicky doo.’ We had tea served to us out of jeweled cups poured by Ms. Josephine using her Mrs. Potts teapot. I even got to drink out of Chip. She wheeled it around on its magic cart and how delicious it was to have invisible tea with nonexistent milk and fairy dust sugar. Nathan was quite happy as he scored the best gift for Josephine.

We opened our gifts to each other and we all thanked and hugged one another. We all loved our gifts, all of our many gifts. We are so blessed.

When we were done Nathan suggested that we all open the treasure chest and so we did. Oh what fun we had. Oh how blessed we felt.

We opened the box.

We gasped.

You took our breath away. You all did.

To see the astonishing gifts blossoming in front of us, the treasure was overflowing. Not only with gifts of love but with stunning splendor and glittering unexpected magic.

We sounded like broken records saying ‘How can people be so generous. Look at this. How beautiful. How talented. How kind. How thoughtful. How humbled we are.’

What did you do you lovely, lovely friends?

You have given not only me these gifts, but all of us. You have given my children memories that they will always have. ‘Remember the time all those wonderful people sent all those wonderful gifts for Mom. And not only Mom but Auntie Jacquie too. Remember that Christmas as we all unwrapped something one at a time and marveled together.’

You blew us away.

The treasure chest full of treasure did more than make us happy, that would be an understatement. It was something else entirely, almost otherworldly. It was as though you were sitting there with us sharing love and fellowship, right there in that room with the Christmas tree in the corner and the family in awe. You were all with us. It was truly spiritual.

Blessed be your hands, with which you have touched life in its beauty and in its need. You have given your hand in friendship, held out your hands to those who were suffering, worked with your hands to create. May your hands be blessed and held firmly in the hands of the Eternal forever. ~~ Kosu Boudreau ~~

I have received many other Christmas treasures too, no they were not in the treasure box, but they were picked up off the sand on the way to the treasure. They were treasure that led me to more treasure; treasure that was just as treasured as the treasure in the box. I have had many dear friends mention on their blogs what has been happening in my life and asking for prayers of loving energy. I have had paintings done and poems written and I want you all to know I will never forget this.

So many of the things we think about within our lives such as jobs, houses, possessions, etc. they count for almost nothing, really. Our lives are about people, and the people that we love.

Truth be told, we are all better when we are together, not because we need each other but because of our faith and trust in each other.

You all remind me that I am doing more than surviving this world and so are my kids and so are all of you. We are all thriving, and one of the reasons is because we have found each other and made love happen! Our hearts have met and that is what is important.

I hope it is okay with everyone if I don’t mention the gift but just your names. The gifts are amazing and they consisted of paintings and boxes and a sacred spiral and ornaments, and necklaces, and dolls and silk scarves, and more cards and paintings and books and poems, and the most beautiful hanging bird that held a dream, healing eucalyptus, and a Renee Angel and a Jacquie Angel, and slippers that were made with bliss in every stitch and a scarf that I know was made the same way and a tea that was specially made to banish bats and an angel cup to drink the banishing tea. On and on and on they go; but I know that it is your heart that mattered; the heart that you put into the gifts.

Thank you dear friends:

Jacquie, Camille, Nadalene and I sat at Jacquie’s going through the same magical routine with her gifts that were sent to her and she; like me, was humbled too. When Angelique, Josephine, Domenic and I had arrived at Jacquie’s she was crying and very sad. Everyone was able to go see our Mom at the hospital as she is very sick but Jacquie couldn’t just get up and go like everyone else. Jacquie had to stay home and miss our Mom from afar. It isn’t easy for Jacquie. When Nadalene and I left at night instead of tears Jacquie was smiling and ever so grateful for all the kindness that you have all extended to her. She remembered that there is a world that people do care for others. Jacquie asked that I let you all know that she is forever grateful.

I am forever grateful to each and every one of you for the support that you have shown to me. I am glad to know that you all inhabit part of this space with me.

Love Renee xoxo

Holiday Tips from Ms. Oblivious

.

WHOA!

.

How much holiday pressure am I inviting into my life and why?

.

I spent a part of last weekend with Mr. Ryan and Mr. Baby Drew decorating chocolate Christmas tree cakes and making these fabulous munchies. I have to share the recipe if you don't already know it, because, can you see how beautiful these are and would be in a little gift box to anyone any age?

.

The recipe is super easy:

.

flat pretzels

Hersey's kisses (unwrap them) :)

M & M's

.

spread the pretzels on a cookie sheet, put a chocolate kiss on each one, and place in 175 F. degree oven for about 4 minutes, until the kisses soften a bit. Then push an M & M into each kiss, let them cool a few minutes and refrigerate a half hour more or less.

.

This is the result. I should mention Mr. Ryan is not yet four years old so if he and I can make these look so good, anyone can.

.

And.....you can substitute Rolo's (chocolate with carmel inside) for the kisses and stick a walnut or almond in instead of an M & M and you just about have fancy chocolates.

.

I wonder how many of you already know this recipe? Because I am like a little kid sharing it. :)

.

I have another suggestion:

.

I am super busy. There are dear people I want to see, special things I want to do, cookies I want to bake, presents I want to make. I also work and I could easily be overwhelmed. Hell, I probably AM overwhelmed already if I stop and think about it.

.

BUT.......so far I am just holding myself accountable to achieve 2 or 3 things a day. That's all and so far I'm making progress.

.

Today I wrapped three gifts, packaged a couple for mailing, took them and long distance cards to the post office, & bought a couple of stocking stuffers. That's my 3 things for today.

.

I may fit in this and that as well, but so far I'm happy with what I'm doing. I have several plans and events nailed down, I kind of know the menu for Christmas eve and Christmas day, I'm heading for New York City this weekend for a Broadway play with Jess and JB. And over the next couple of weeks I will love spending special time with special friends.

.

I generally like this time of year. I like giving and I like sharing. I will probably end up in a panicked frenzy, but for now I'm oblivious and that is fine with me.

.

The end for now :)

With love

kj

:)

Sentiments

.
.

I got a Christmas card in the mail this weekend. It was from JB, my partner of 25 years, who has been through heaven and hell with me, sometimes simultaneously. She is a wonderful loving dear kind beautiful person and she chose this card with a chuckle because it said it all.

.

.

I opened the card and fell down laughing.

.

.

I quietly went to my office and pulled out the card I had bought for JB, bought at a different time at a different store in a different city:

.
.

.

.
I handed her the card and we both fell down laughing.

.

.

Too funny. Too random? Too pretty darn nice.

Holiday Advice

.
.

May I give you an early holiday present?

.

.

This morning I came across a small worn red bound book by Mary Oliver given to me several months ago by a very wise friend. In it she directed me to page 37 no. 4:

.

.

Instructions for living a life:

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it.

.

I'm thinking this advice might take you and me far this holiday weekend and well beyond. We are blessed that most often we do SEE, and then we get to share all that here. TSUP!

.

.

love

kj

.

*Attribution goes to two amazing women: Mary Oliver and Lori Graham,

Friday It's the Holidays Mini Mish Mash Edition

When JB and kj got lost on their way to the Grand Canyon kj had a temper tantrum and ripped the map in a childish fit.

Who knew that the result would be a replica of Emily Rabbit's EARS?!

Credit Card(s). License. Bills for the Casino. I Phone. A Magic Pocket made by Lori that worked like a charm. (she has an etsy shop, ms. lori times five)

Isn't this kind of far to walk (or run) to a restroom?

I like to think of December as a Magical Season.

Are you knee-deep yet?

I am.

I thought I would have time this year to MAKE most or all of my presents for special people.

HAHAHAHAHA!

I haven't given up on baking cupcakes and sugar cookies and chocolate cakes and decorating each one individually.

Or painting at least one birdhouse and one of my father's old cigar boxes for at least a couple of special people.

Or of sharing meals with candlelight and chinese buffets with family and friends.

I haven't given up.

TICK TICK TICK TICK .

It's not much but it's what I have tonight: some photos to lighten the mood and change the subject.

Meanwhile, don't stress Jess. Hold on Don. Sing a carol, Harold. Smile Kyle. Don't holler Paula.

(Sorry, I need a little inspiration to keep the atmosphere light and easy for now.)

JB's Jewelry:

I keep thinking it would make a nice Holiday card

One of JB's bowls, which she is giving to no one as a present and isn't that totally silly on her part?

Want to say it with me? Pick the person or situation.

Okay now: Screw you!

Aaaah, that feels better. Now maybe I can say bless you too. :)

Ah Vermont.

Ah Vermont.

This is the proper Holiday attitude. In my dreams....

My mother's approach: "I just clean one wall at a time.

That's the way to do it: one wall at a time."

And I, Emily V.V. Rabbit who threw a tantrum on the living room floor until kj finally told me I could have the last word, am here to wish you:

PEAS ON EARTH

don't forget to kick your feet high in the air and cry and whine from your stomach if you need a quick way to feel better. and if things get really bad throw or bounce frozen peas and maybe even frozen artichoke hearts.

.

Can we lighten up?

Shouldn't we?
Let's.

.

Love

kj

Wishes & Dreams for the Holidays....

Last year we raised $ 465 together, most of it to help a four year old angel child I call Angelina whose mother had abandoned her, and a 13 year old great kid who wanted acting lessons and ended up with that and ski lessons thanks to the generosity of my friends and visitors here.



This year I am again asking for help. This year I have arranged for any money raised to be funneled into an anonymous fund for one of my clients, a 19 year old high school senior who is working her ass off to get to college.



She shows up at school every day, this year taking several college prep courses and one advanced placement class that is very difficult for her. I saw her last week and she was wearing a new black leather coat that made her look very fashionable and very pretty.



She was close to tears because she had borrowed the coat from her older sister who accused her of being disrespectful by wearing it. "I don't have a good coat of my own," she said. "I just borrowed it for one day so I could look good today because I had a job interview and she called me disrespectful. That is the worse thing anyone could accuse me of."



Her name is Z and she is soley responsible for herself. She gets no money from her father, no rides to school, no help with clothes or books or food. She hears from her mother maybe once a year, and when her mother does make contact she is never drug free and is most often asking for money for herself.



Z worked all summer so she can support herself during the school year. She resourcefully saved to buy an old car which she sees as her salvation so she can get to and from school and work. She lived with her father until his girlfriend told her to leave, and now she lives with a boyfriend who she knows is not good for her, he is too verbally explosive, but he's at least present. "Sometimes he actually cares about me. And I have to stay there for now," she tells me.



She will be applying to college in a couple of months and we have hope that she will be accepted into a program that helps urban kids prepare and succeed. We have hope that she will get a housing scholarship. She will be the first and only member of her family to go to college and she is determined to do that. Academics do not come easy for her, but she is determined.



She has a hard time trusting adults for good reason. But lately she is letting herself cry in therapy, starting to realize that she has not had the luxury of trusting anyone. We call ourselves Team Z, we and her guidance counselor and one other adult from an Outward Bound Program. If it sounds incomprehensible that a high school student would be on her own like this, I agree. But it's true.



"I show up for school everyday and I try to look like everyone else. I don't want anyone knowing that I don't have anyone to help me like most of the other kids do."



This week Z is praying hard that she will be offered the job at the gas station across the street from school. "I NEED that job, kj" she tells me. And I know that is true too.



So this year I am asking for help for Z. Contributions will go directly toward giving her a little bit of breathing room, $$ for college applications, will provide a plan B back door so she can leave her boyfriend and perhaps rent a small room somewhere.



Honestly I want to raise $ 1000. I will start by contributing $ 100 myself.



I will appreciate any effort to spread the word beyond my own blog. I told Z I plan to be at her college graduation. It won't be easy for her, but she is determined. I am totally convinced that any support given to her will be repaid by the strength of her efforts.


.
Please help if you can. Last year we had direct contributions, art auctions and give aways, pay pal transfers. You will find a 'Donate' button on my sidebar where credit cards can be used, or paypal, or feel free to email me at karenjasper@comcast.net
.

And please, if you cannot afford $, your wishes and prayers count just as much. There is magic in our blogs this time of year. Offer a kind word or do a kind act for someone else and I assure you that will come around also to help Z. I've come to believe that the universe works that way.

.

Always, thank you. It is my privilege to be able to even ask.
.
Love
kj

The Company We Keep.....

Lo, this post is for you ♥

.
Many times I have spent some part of Thanksgiving with two very good friends who live mid way up a mountain in Vermont.
.
This year JB & I arrived just before the loveliest snow began, the first of the season for me.
.
.





.
My friends live in an old and run down house that they have been working on for more years than they or I can count. The barn is barely standing upright.
.
But something is different this year:
.
.
.
My friend has become a SHEPARD: to twelve sheep he is madly in love with.
.
And they, who he tells me are Icelandic and Jacob sheep, love him back.
.
Want to meet some of them?
.
.

.

And look who else thoroughly enjoyed

making their acquaintance....
.

Love,

kj

Tis a Gift to be Simple...

.
It's going to be a busy time on the blogs for me. With all the wild action of the holiday season, I am wanting to post here almost every day lately. I don't ususally do that and I can easily say that I won't have much time to blog.
.
But I just might anyway. I have things to show and tell.
.
Tis the Season officially. Today was a good start. Quiet in a time-to-think-and-meander kind of way. Time to cook and time to love the thrill of ordering some nifty fun presents on line.
.
Time to know who I love and savor why.
.
The first Christmas present got put together & wrapped todnight. JB is a master wrapper. Her presents look better than House Beautiful.
.
And I ordered a few sweet presents on line.
.
.
There are three parts to this post. The first part you just read. .

.
The third part is pictures of me standing in front of the refrigerator. (I swear).
.
The middle part is a brief panorama of the train ride that begin in Clarksville, Arizona, through the desert as you will see. I think the most interesting things to notice are the TEXTURES:
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

After winnning $$$ in Las Vegas, this train ride was the highlight of my vacation.

.

So now on to part 3: which just so you know is not easy. Here I am:
.
.

.
I like to be kind. I think it shows. I like to be smart too. At my advancing age, I am an aspiring babe. I am losing weight.

.
I try to listen. I generally care. I have some skills. I understand broken hearts. I don't want to be shy talking about sex. I'm good on vacation.
.
I like to write. I love my camera. I have a cozy house. I can be petty. I can't believe how important so many people here on my blog have become to me. I am emotionally brave. I am a wiseguy. I know how to be a friend. I know how to love.

.
The holidays have begun. My last two have been too sad. This year, I'd like to let them come and let myself enjoy the parts I know I like. And some new parts too.
.
Care to join me?
.

I hope your day was good today. I tomorrow you hear bells.

.

Love

kj
.