As a former…

Cat CalendarScreenshot 2023-01-22 093047parent/owner/servant to two cats who made it to 20 -years-old, dievca finds this Cat Calendar from the US Army Corp of Engineers Portland District – masterful.

Look, Print or Download a copy here!


Winter Dawn

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Photo: dievca 6:45 am 12/2022


Expect the Unexpected

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Your Knight in Shining Armor can come in many different shapes and sizes.  They may be what you are looking for or they may be something completely different. All dievca can suggest is to “be open” and your gift may fulfill your Life more than you could imagine.


Master and His dievca agree

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Autumn in New York is key!

We hope you are enjoying your Fall, too. XO


A touch of Autumn

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One to cut for Halloween and two for décor into Thanksgiving!

Have you stepped into Autumn, yet?


Lindy Hop Dancer

So, during COVID dievca got sucked down the YouTube Rabbit Hole watching Phil Wright Choreography videos of families performing after learning a dance piece together.  The first video she saw was this and she absolutely loved the first group of a Mom and two daughters.

The beginning of another video has this Mother/Son duo and dievca thought the Mom was an amazing dancer – perhaps she was a professional Lindy Hop dancer:

Comparing the Jon Batiste Video (above) and the Rockin’ Robin – they are not the same dancer.
But, watching these videos, again, made dievca smile because she shared them with her Mom before she passed and they had a good time watching together. Mom keep saying she would have loved to get the lessons for the Great Grandkids and their Parents, but the Midwest is an awfully long way from Los Angeles…

Anyways, dievca’s Mom and Dad met at a Dance Hall – they were an amazing Jitterbug couple.

Here’s the Jitterbug:

Is jitterbug the same as Lindy Hop?
Lindy Hop, also known as the jitterbug, was developed in the 1920’s and is said to be the original form of swing dance. The term ‘jitterbug’ is however commonly used to describe any swing dancer and is derived from the visual display of the dancers on the floor who look like jitterbugs with the fast, bouncy movements.

Can you tell that dievca is getting desperate to dance again?


Taking a Moment

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To appreciate a Masterpiece.

Photo: dievca NYC Hudson River Sunset 09/2022


Feeling the End of Summer

Coffee sun and hair

End of Summer:
Long, curly hair with gold amongst the silver from the sun and chlorine.
Toasty brown skin moisturized via suntan lotion and aloe.
Give it a month or two and it will be back to a blown dry bob under a hat.
Fair skin refinished with retinol and heavier UV protection.

This is the first summer in years where dieca’s healing situation has allowed her to revert back to childhood behaviors of Sun, Swim, Play (PT) and Laziness. It’s been a gift she will treasure.

How was/is your Summer?


Bucolic

bu·col·ic

/byo͞oˈkälik/
adjective
  1. relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
    “the church is lovely for its bucolic setting”

Photos: dievca – Midwest USA 07/2022


Summer Solstice: midsummer or the beginning of summer?

So, The summer solstice was on June 21, 2022 and Midsummer is today, June 25th.
Which is truly the start of Summer?

20220616_183426_resized_1The June Solstice is often referred to as the first day of summer, and yet celebrations across the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year carry the name Midsummer, which is pretty confusing.

Midsummer and the summer solstice are used interchangeably, but they refer to different things.

The solstice is the beginning of the astronomical summer that has been celebrated since ancient times as the longest day of the year, whereas Midsummer now refers to numerous celebrations that are held over the solstice period, between June 19 and June 24, with both pagan and Christian origins.

With celebrations originating in ancient times as a festival for the summer solstice, this could be where the name comes from. Bonfires were lit up to ward off evil spirits as the sun turned southward.

Meteorologically,

Because the Earth actually takes 365.24 days to travel around the Sun we add an extra day every fourth year, we call this a Leap Year. This means the longest and shortest days vary from one year to the next.

The elliptical shape of the Earth’s orbit causes the lengths of the astronomical seasons to change and this mean it is difficult to compare climatological statistics consistently for a particular season.

This is where the meteorological seasons come in.

Meteorological dates mark the start and end of seasons for statistical purposes. Meteorologists split the year into four quarters, each made up of three months, based on the annual temperature cycle.

The length of the meteorological seasons are more consistent than the astronomical ones, so that we can observe, forecast and compare season statistics reliably from year to year.

  • Autumn: September 1 – November 30
  • Winter: December 1 – February 28
  • Spring: March 1 – May 31
  • Summer: June 1 – August 30

This means that for meteorologists it’s been summer since the beginning of June…

Honestly – the Joy of Summer was probably dictated by when your school let out!


Getting the Day started!

Coffee Booty Dance by Montae on Dribble

Coffee Booty Dance from Montae
(Mongkon Sukmuang – Graphic Designer)


The Month of May

20190505_144953“We roamed the fields and river sides,
When we are young and gay;
We chased the bees and plucked the flowers,
In the merry, merry month of May.”
Stephen Foster

Photo: dievca - Crabapple Blossoms NYC 05/2019

On the hunt for Bling (for a friend 😉😉)

Rhinestone Coffee Mug

Jazzing up your MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!

dievca has a very good friend who encases her phone in this:

Large Crystal Phone Case

she can’t find a coffee mug embellished with those large crystals, so she’s looking at the colorful one above…  Hmmm, maybe dievca could make the mug for her friend – a little DIY project.  Something to ponder.

In researching sparkly, glittery gifts for her IRL friend – dievca started to think about another blogger, a virtual friend, a “little” who loves color and bling.
“Cinnamon and Sparkles” has stepped away from the WordPress account with that handle (
vanillawithatouchofcinnamon.wordpress.com) and her Cinnamon email account is closed. dievca is wishing her the best and sending love her way if she stops by for a peek. XO


Happy Garden

Happy Garden

The crocuses, blue lily of the valley, hyacinth, daffidils, and tulips have blossomed in NYC — their timelines have blurred and it is creating a lovely burst of color along the Hudson River Pathway.


i thank You God

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

From “i thank You God for most this amazing” (1950) ee cummings


Thrown into a World you remember

Norman Rockwell Muse

12 and 13 years old can be tough ages for Kids – Girls in particular.  It’s a lovely, awkward, silly, loud, insecure, sad, joyous time.  As dievca is rolling towards menopause, she’s recently been thrown into the company of those new to menstruation.  Both camps are riding the rollercoaster of hormones and emotions.

The funny thing is that dievca is finding patience with her own body through finding patience for the kids.

As she listens and soothes – she is soothed in return and it brings back memories of her Mom, Aunts, Cousins, and female coaches.  dievca finds herself saying things that those lovely Women said to her and she rolled her eyes at 13.  Now she knows why they said them and meant them to be true.


A really low dew point


can make a Beach Holiday that much more enjoyable.
(dievca has been incredibly lucky with the weather this weekend).


Photo: dievca South Beach FL 03/2022


Grateful for another Day

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Photo: dievca Sunrise South Beach FL 03/2022


Feelin’ the Funk on a Tuesday

Express Yourself” was written by Charles Wright and performed by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band.


Taking a page from Mom

Bath photo

dievca’s Mom had a lot of clothing in various places around the house (socks and stockings in the TV Armoire ?!?!?). dievca had completed her Dad’s clothing and thought she was finished, but she forgot all of the drawers upstairs. So, dievca sat on the stairs sorting scarves and tops for the final hurrah…and then treated herself to a bath where her Mom was oh so happy.  It was a lovely bath – the glass of wine didn’t hurt. Maybe she won’t be too sore tomorrow.

Furniture into storage and more GoodWill runs on the agenda.

dievca hopes everyone is doing well.


Kindness and a Libation

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A very large , “Thank You” for your kind words and glasses lifted up to honor a good Life.

The thoughts and presentations are so lovely. And dievca is working through her bottle over a long period as she replies to texts and phone calls.  A little lubrication to celebrate a Life and ease the pain of kindness.

How are you all doing? What’s going on in your lives?

(dievca’s coming up for air~)


Happy New Year!

GLORIA DeHAVEN New Year's Eve

May you have a very Healthy, Happy and Positive Year in 2022!

Sending love, dievča

Photo: Gloria DeHaven


From my home to Yours~

baron-von-lind-christmas-pin-up

Sending Warm Wishes!

XO your dievča

Pin-Up: Baron von Lind

It worked~improving a mood.

20211213_203520They always have suggestions for improving a mood and in dievca’s case 6 out of these 34 suggestions worked.

  • De-clutter. Getting organized can help us feel instantly calmer. Just five to ten minutes is enough to tackle a small project, like a desk or the kitchen table.
  • Rearrange some furniture. Changing an environment can help us feel refreshed, enabling us to bust out of a negative mood.
  • Get some sun. A boost of vitamin D can keep the blues at bay. Head outside for a brisk walk around the block. If that’s not possible, station yourself near a window for a few minutes.
  • Spend time with Friends. If you want to be happy and calm, spend time around calm, happy people.
  • Celebrate good times. Look at happy photos or spend a minute or so thinking back on positive memories (that first 5K finish line, a group trip to the waterpark, that amazing scone from a no-name coffee shop)—nostalgia can trigger happiness.
  • Eat for a positive mood. We are what we eat, so step away from the unhappy meal. Instead, try out these meals to boost your mood. Up the happiness quotient by setting a nice place for yourself, lighting a candle, and giving thanks for the meal.

dievca allowed herself to decorate the apartment lightly – she felt less stressed when she decided that she didn’t have to do the full Christmas blowout.  Holiday Hints throughout the apartment has made it feel festive for guests and herself. Having dinner with lovely people completed her mood change.

What works for you?

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Photos: dievca home decor 12/2021


The Date ~

dievca’s been watching friends Zoom date, navigate around COVID-19 and death,  sort through the ashes of a relationship that crashed hard and, in one case, is watching a friend reunite happily with an old Flame.

L’appuntamento
Ho sbagliato tante volte ormai
che lo so già
che oggi quasi certamente
sto sbagliando su di te.

Ma una volta in più che cosa può cambiare
nella vita mia…
Accettare questo strano appuntamento
è stata una pazzia!

Sono triste tra la gente che
mi sta passando accanto,
ma la nostalgia di rivedere te
è forte più del pianto.

Questo sole accende sul mio volto
un segno di speranza.
Sto aspettando quando a un tratto
ti vedrò spuntare in lontananza!

Amore, fai presto,
io non resisto…
Se tu non arrivi, non esisto,
non esisto, non esisto…

È cambiato il tempo e sta piovendo,
ma resto ad aspettare.
Non m’importa cosa il mondo può pensare,
io non me ne voglio andare.

Io mi guardo dentro e mi domando,
ma non sento niente.
Sono solo un resto di speranza
perduta tra la gente.

Amore, è già tardi
e non resisto…
Se tu non arrivi, non esisto,
non esisto, non esisto…

Luci, macchine, vetrine, strade, tutto quanto
si confonde nella mente.
La mia ombra si è stancata di seguirmi,
il giorno muore lentamente.

Non mi resta che tornare a casa mia
alla mia triste vita.
Questa vita che volevo dare a te
l’hai sbriciolata tra le dita…

Amore, perdono,
ma non resisto…
Adesso per sempre non esisto,
non esisto, non esisto…

The Date
I was wrong so many times by now,
I already know
that almost certainly today
I am wrong about you

but what difference can one more time make
in this life of mine..
Accepting this odd date,
it was insanity! (some folly)

I am sad among the people
passing by
but the wistful feeling (nostalgia) of seeing you again
is stronger than the tears

This sun lights up on my face
a sign of hope
I am waiting and suddenly
I will see you appear yonder (in the distance)

My love be here soon (hurry up),
I can’t take it (resist)
if you don’t come, I don’t exist
I don’t exist, I don’t exist …

The weather has changed, and it is raining
but I stay and wait (keep on waiting)
I am not concerned (don’t care) about what the world will think [of me]
I don’t wanna go.

I look within myself and wonder
but I feel nothing (hear nothing?)
I am just some remains of hope
lost among people

My love, it’s already late
and I can’t take it (resist)
if you don’t come, I don’t exist
I don’t exist, I don’t exist …

Lights, cars, shop windows, roads
they all confuse into my mind
my shadow got tired of following me
the day slowly dies

All that’s left is to go back to my house
to my sad life
This life I wanted to give to you
you crumbled it between your fingers

My love, forgive me, but I can’t take it…
Now forever, I don’t exist


Joy at FIT – Chalk Murals 2021

The Chalk Murals are up and running at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology).
A piece of Joy to see on the walk home from reselling clothing.

~Click the pictures to see details~
Enjoy!


The annual trip – and a better Sunset/Sunrise

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The Governors Isalnd annual trek is very simple – a bike ride, $3 round-trip ferry ticket and the splurge for a “Glamping” Tent. Worth every penny when your view is of this sunset and a morning walk around the island offers a mystical view of….Brooklyn!
As dievca writes this post, the cicadas are singing in her ears~
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Celebration of a Friend’s Life – an Outfit

Roll over the photos for item descriptions.
Something simple worn to brunch celebrating the Life of a close friend.
It was a lovely day in NYC.


Octogenarian + Nonagenarian = Play Date

Elderly Ladies Chatting

dievca mentioned that her Mom is fading or depressed and her Mom’s best friend (91) immediately asked her son to drive her up to my Mom.  (God, I’m starting to cry).   deivca set up the date to coincide with the caregiver who likes to cook and is already thinking of a nice light lunch for the ladies.  Mom’s friend is bringing the dessert – a certain chocolate and raspberry cake because she knows Mom loves it. dievca’s Mom will rally to sit in the wheelchair for a longer period and see her friend –  they will lean close because neither can hear.  It’s a gift that is amazingly generous.

Never dismiss the touch of a true friend, its one of Life’s greatest miracles.

Old Friends


Dad Humor – coffee-based

coffee-jokes

If there’s one feature that can immediately categorize a joke as a “dad joke,” it’s wordplay, especially of the unsophisticated variety. Examples: “Hey, do you know what time my dentist appointment is? Tooth-hurty.” “You know why they always build fences around cemeteries? Because people are dying to get in.” The purposeful confusion of “smart feller” and “fart smeller.”

Note: dievca’s Dad was working that “fart smeller” joke hard – right up until he died. Makes her smile thinking about it~

Let the Coffee Jokes begin!

  1. Barista: How do you take your coffee?
    Me: Very, very seriously.
  2. What do you call sad coffee?
    Despresso.
  3. What’s the best Beatles song?
    Latte Be!
  4. Spouse #1: Honey, this coffee tastes like dirt.
    Spouse #2: That’s not surprising, dear, it was just ground this morning.
  5. How does Moses make his coffee?
    Hebrews it.
  6. What did the coffee lover name her son?
    Joe, obviously.
  7. What did the caffeine addict name his cats?
    Cream and Sugar.
  8. How do you know if you’ve had enough coffee?
    You channel surf faster without the remote.
  9. How does the serial killer like his coffee?
    How he likes his victims—all ground up.
  10. How is divorce like espresso?
    It’s expensive and bitter.
A "Thank You" to the ScaryMommy website for the coffee humor.