Nicholsons and Us to Kauai Next February, 2013

After years of badgering our dear friends about how much we think they would adore the northern shore of Kauai, they decided they would join us in January 2013 for a trip to the Garden Island. Both Vicki and I are breast cancer survivors.   We like to cook!  John and Ed graduated from Colgate, however Vicki and I are surprised thee two gentlemen received their diplomas because we know about some of their wild escapades.   See the Ugandan paper beads Vicki and I are wearing? 
We wish Kate and Bill Burnell would come along.  Maybe another time.   Bill is the third reprobate of the Colgate trio.   Kate is also a breast cancer survivor.  

 

La Traviata IN THE SYDNEY HARBOUR

Several weeks ago at the Palace Theater located five minutes from our house, I had the privilege of watching La Traviata performed on a large floating stage IN the Sydney Harbour in real time via the marvel of cyberspace.  Unbelievable performance! Even if you are not an opera lover, you may enjoy the hyperlink above. 

This performance held special significance for me because we have been fortunate to have traveled to Australia twice.  Once I cried in the Sydney Opera House after a performance -- can not remember what we heard that evening but it was symphonic.   I did not want to leave.  An attendant asked us if anything was wrong and suggested Ed and I return in the morning when the gift shop is open so he he could buy me a beautiful pin of the Opera House.  I treasure the pin.  

The Brilliance of October Red

Globe Amaranth, 'strawberry fields'

And an everlasting -- pick and no need for water.  Because the nurseries do not sell this plant, I grow it from seed under the lights.

The old fashioned Snapdragon --keep pinching the blooms for continual color

A show stopper, Pineapple Sage only blooms in the Fall.  The plant stands about 5 feet tall. 

Giant Amaranth -- One comes up yearly with original seeds probably stuck to one of my shoe soles from when I worked the Trail Garden with of the Herb Guild of McLean County many years back.

Red Snapdragon, Daylily leaves, Spicy Globe Basil

Lea Thau, Kickstarter Campaign -- SHE MADE IT!

Lea Thau. Peabody Award producer is right up there with Ira Glass.   

Tonight Lea Thau through Kickstarter, raised $20,000.00 enough to begin Season 2.  For 10 years, Lea was the executive director of The Moth, a public radio program that features people telling true stories that happened to themselves in front of an audience and without notes.  I never delete the stories in my Itunes library because they are  enlightening, some are funny, some are sad, some are unbelievable,

Lhakpa Tsering: Man on Fire

This is one of my favorite stories written by Peabody Award winning producer Lea Thau -- Lhakpa Tsering Man on Fire.  It is about a 9 year old boy who walked from Tibet to Inda and made a life for himself beating all odds.   

When Lea traveled to India with her 9 month old son to try to mend her broken heart when her fiance left her, she worked with Lhakpa  and took down his story.  

  
At the beginning,  Lea mentions her Kickstarter campaign -- happily Lea has already reached her goal.