July 3, 2015

Post a Quote Challenge: Being True To Yourself

To some, this is as natural as anything. To others, it is the hardest thing to do in this world. For myself, both are true. It is most natural to me, and the hardest thing for me to do. I am sure it is so, to greater or lesser degrees, for most of you. It is […]

https://ofopinions.wordpress.com/2015/07/03/post-a-quote-challenge-being-true-to-yourself/

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May 10, 2011

Remembering a Master of Whimsy


September 25, 1930 – May 10, 1999

The book Where the Sidewalk Ends delighted me to no end.  It was, in fact, the first time  I understood the power and joy of words and illustration.  My favorite…

Sick
Sick
by Shel Silverstein

"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut--my eyes are blue--
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke--
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what?
What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is. . .Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"
From Shel Silverstein: Poems and Drawings; originally appeared in Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. Copyright © 2003 by HarperCollins Children’s Books. Reprinted by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.


Shell Silverstein had a varied and illustrious career. From poet, to play-write (worked with Mamet , not too shabby.) and songwriter ; who can forget A Boy Named Sue?   But for me, it was Where the Sidewalk Ends that will always be in my heart.  The beginning of my love affairs with words and whimsy.  Thank you Shel, you are missed.

p.s. a little piece of Shel Silverstein goes on … www.shelsilverstein.com


August 11, 2010

Spud & Chloë — Patterns » Dial Up Gloves

Photo from Spud & Chloe

What could be more whimsical than fingerless stripedy gloves? Can’t you just picture yourself wearing these, standing on a field, on a crisp autumn day, holding a cup of hot chocolate while watching the “men folk and chldren” play touch football? {for all the folks not from around here, that’s American football, not what we blasphemously call Soccer. } The pattern (and a correction) can be found at Spud and Chloe. This is the first time I have seen this blog and I must say. I just adore the over all whimsical feel of the place. Have fun checking them out!

Spud & Chloë — Patterns » Dial Up Gloves.

July 31, 2010

Need I say more?

Where the Sidewalk Ends - Shel Silverstein

July 31, 2010

I ran off to the circus…

The circus tent I called home, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Well not really but I thought it was a better excuse for my absence than ” ooops!, look at the time.”  I spent the first half of July preparing for my 40th birthday party.  65 folks at my house eating pulled pork BBQ, playing on the slip and slide, drinking lemonade (And other stuff… no teatotalers here), and sharing in the very best cake EVAH!!!


Best Cake EVAH!!! Thanks, Paul.

You must admit… A pink flamingo cake is pretty whimsical.  Even better it was made by a friend.  Just about the coolest thing there is.  Oh and there were some cupcakes to keep it company .

Cupcakes

Colorful Cupcakes ... nothing says yum like neon.

Now I’m on the job search, and it was sapping my will to whimsify – yes that is a word.  It just happens to be made-up.- the world.  I have broken free of the drudgery.  I will not be dissuaded from my task of finding whimsy where ever I can.  So here I am… what comes next?  Who knows.

p.s.  I’m sorry about the picture quality,  I lost my camera and was using a 3 mega pixel jobber that I had borrowed + I was the one blowing out the candles so the juggling was a little hectic.