NOTHING LIKE ICE CREAM TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD

The 'no fail' solution to the ultimate cure-all is, Yes, ICE CREAM.  Doesn't matter what flavor tickles your tonsils after one taste of the creamy coolness you immediately begin to feel better.  Whether it's chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, black raspberry, mocha, snickerdoodle, rum raisin, or coffee you are on your way to, albeit, Xanadu!

Don't forget about the people waiting to serve you either.  One order after another and all individual requests and requirements.  Small kiddie cup, kazillion sprinkles with a dollop of hot fudge, no whip cream.  Thank you, very much.  What an array of orders...  black raspberry in a cone - wafer or sugar, sprinkles? large? small?  So many variations and ways to order.  Banana split, large cone, soft ice cream medium, no nuts, etc..  It's mind boggling!!!  All for 20 minutes of happiness.  And, it works!!!

I was sitting in the parking lot enjoying my chocolate ice cream in a cup with overflowing chocolate sprinkles just watching everyone sitting around at the tables, logs or stools, eating their ice cream and all with smiles on their faces.  It was a social gathering of happiness.  Each group was having their own intense conversations while lapping up their ice cream.  Their conversations were of real estate, boys, girls, baseball games and more.  Whatever it was everyone donned giant smiles.

Even if I didn't hear any of these conversations and just watched from the car and licked my ice cream I would've been in heaven.  The smiles on all of the faces made it even more enjoyable!  Thank you, to the Roman Empire or to the Chinese for inventing the taste of happiness!  [Or, Ben & Jerry for Phish Food!!]

No Picture today.

XANADU

At this point in my life I am trying very hard to figure out what Xanadu would be for me.  Six weeks ago, I knew exactly what Xanadu was - in my head... Little cottage by the beach, eating dinner with someone sitting across or next to me each night, writing a novel or children's book series... in other words, "the simple life."

Then, it was squashed.

Reality set in.  Kids leaving for college, job was cancelled, finances became difficult, enjoying the summer at the beach was now going to be a difficult chore.

Still those same six weeks passed and I am just managing to get through the days.  It's a horrible step backwards in life.  Trying to climb out of the pit is still probably two-three weeks away when I can start another film project. In the meantime, the continuous walks on the beach are what make me momentarily happy.   Take a peek...

Morning

 Evening

SUPER MOON

The project I was working on, believe or not, back in Winston-Salem, was cancelled.  I had only been on location for 4 days before getting the 'official' news from production.  One on hand, it was great to know that I would be enjoying a few weeks of the summer at home on the beaches.  However, on the other hand, it meant unemployment!!!  UGH.  

But, thanks to the pissing match between James Franco and the studio, control versus reality [in that order], none of us had a choice.  So, here I am.. going through extremely difficult times in my head.. trying hard to enjoy the summer.  

Last night was the Super Moon GONG BATH.  Yes, Gong bath.  My good friend suggested this event on the beach.  The gongs are set up and you lay on the beach listening to the sound of the gongs hoping the energy clears your thoughts and head.  A total form of relaxation.  Unfortunately, for me, I have far too much 'energy' spinning on my head and couldn't concentrate.  I was trying to listen to the ocean instead of focusing on the gongs as well as all the other thoughts bouncing in my head.  But, the Super Moon was beautiful.

  

LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Completely got sidetracked with work ignoring my new blog.  I have since left North Carolina [Thank Christ!], returned home for a brief stint and now am back on the road working in NOLA.  Yup!  New Orleans!  Sweating it out for another few weeks.

Quite a difference from my last gig.  Here's a photo or two!

CHURCHILL

Someone just told me - "If you're going through hell keep on walking." Churchill

As I continue 'walking' I am hoping for the best and it passes.

The countdown for this current project in NC has begun until I return to the safety of what I call, for the moment, home.  Soon enough I will be back with my two furballs and my kitchen.

The kitchen is where I find solitude.  Cooking is a tremendous stress relief for me.  Once upon a time, I made a kazillion cookies that I sent to everyone I know - worldwide - Of course, I don't eat anything but the batter.  However, I am told that the cookies are amazing.  Thanks, to a disgruntled person on Urban Legend who left the recipe to a Mrs. Fields cookie recipe. YUMMY!

I GET MEADOW MUFFINS

The pictures are self explanatory:

Daughter #2 shares a moment of her daily routine that includes a walk through the forest where she goes to school.  How beautiful.   

Daughter #1 spends spring break in Key West.  View from Mallory Square at sunset [stating the obvious]. 

And, me...  I get Meadow Muffins!!!  

Diamond in the RUFF

If I could figure a way to get to this cafe each morning without having to drive 1 hour and 23 minutes [thank you GPS], I wouldn't miss the experience.  Amelie's french cafe in Charlotte, NC.  

After spending 1 month in Paris not too long ago [to celebrate a milestone birthday] I thought I hit the jackpot with respect to cafes, but this little treasure bypasses all that I experienced cafe-wise.  The croissants are delicious, atmosphere - unbeatable, the 'sipping' hot chocolate is yummy; but, the soups are, by far, exceptional. My favorite is the spinach/asparagus soup.   [To obtain the recipe - www.ameliesfrenchbakery.com]

Of course, I will continue to trapse the globe having cafe 'tastings.'  One never knows when I will find another diamond in the RUFF..... OH, WAIT!!! I did!!! In Morocco, but that is for another day.

TELEPHONE

This has been a completely disheartening project I am currently working on in NC.  People here seem to have an alternative agenda aside from just WORK.  It's like the old 'telephone' game. ... Someone says something to someone and 10 people later it's twisted and causing havoc amongst 75 other people.  For the most part, these are contractual facts being spewed without warrant or justification.

And, the cause????  None.  Just to be gossip queens.  Hurtful.  

This behavior leads me to believe [or, confirm what I have been repeatedly told to me in the past] that no one is trustworthy.  Where does that leave me.... that I have to keep further to myself and become more of an introvert!  

Oh, a wandering I will go....  

NC

I have nothing to say about filming in Winston-Salem.  Trust me, I think everyone took dummy pills for this production!

The Wanderer

Vagabond - basically, a wanderer with no fixed home.  That would be the definitive description of my soul.  I don't think it's a bad thing. I like being able to pick up an go, trying new things, living in new places, eating new things...etc...  And, now, that my kids are older I am able to revisit the joy of travel and 'wander.'

Just recently, I spent 1 month celebrating a milestone birthday in one of my favorite cities; Paris.  Even though it was rainy almost daily, grey and cold, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  The food was still beyond fabulous, the walks along La Seine were still beautiful, and, according to my oldest daughter, the bread was the best she has ever tasted!!!  Agreed.  If I think about it hard enough I can even taste the fresh baguette right now!

Just after the first of 2013 we came home to our little New England town.  Only moments later, I was on a plane to my next job in the south - North Carolina - where I will stay until the beginning of April. On the odd occasion I am able to sneak home for a quick weekend visit with my furballs [cat and dog].

 In my first week in NC, I was encouraged to taste grits.  The ladies at the hotel brought me butter, syrup, honey and jam thinking that one of these additives may enhance the flavor enough of the pasty flavored cream of wheat type of food.  And, NO!  None of the aforementioned toppings enhanced the flavor enough for me to eat again.  Thank you, hotel ladies.

I do have a long history of travel and experiences that I will share.  But, for now, I am finishing my wine and going to bed.  Who knows, in the morning, when my head is clear, I may end of deleting this entire post and blog site.

Good night!