The Book of Marks - Inside Front Cover and First Page Reveal

The book structure is based on Teesha Moore's Amazing Journal  It measures approximately 8 in. x 10 in. Moore's book uses one sheet of Fabrianon Artistico paper. The paper used during Jacqueline Sullivan's Book of Marks class was one sheet of Strathmore 400 140 lb. watercolor paper.

This is what you see when you first open the book.

The inside cover has a flap. There are several pages with flaps which makes the book interactive. Though if you don't like these short pages, you can always tear them off. Here and there we punched holes in the book for a peek-a-boo effect.

Under the flap, I glued a strip of the black paper with white marks and wrote the title of the class and dates with a white Gelly Roll pen. I left the inside cover blank as I'm undecided whether to fill all the surfaces. If you look at a commercially printed book, the inside cover is usually blank

Jaqueline suggested the subject matter of the book be about art. In the handouts she had given us quotes about art from artists, writers. We were free to chose our own subject, but I liked a lot of the quotes so decided make the book about art. I printed the quotes out on some colored paper that matched the colors in the book.

Besides the quotes, we could also fill the book with collage and Ascemic writing. Collage is a bit out of the box for me. It's hard to know whether there are too many bits or not enough. Does it look pleasing or like the cat barfed on the floor?

 From Jacqueline's notes about ascemic writing, "Ascemic writing is a wordless form of writing. The word ascemic means "having no specific semantic content", or "without the smallest unit of meaning." With the non-specifity of asemic writing there comes a vacuum of meaning which is left for the reader to fill in and interpret. All of this is similar to the way one would deduce meaning from an abstract work of art."

Jacqueline had 4 ways of doing ascemic writing. One was a word per line which would also make the writing/printing very legible. I chose this method for the first quote I used which is the definition of Kung Fu. "Kung Fu is any discipline or skill achieved through hard work and practice." (Kung Fu is not restricted to the Martial Arts. Pretty much anything we do art, craft, baking, practicing medicine, law, music, is Kung Fu.) 

When I studied Martial Arts, the color red was reserved for the Masters (5th degree and up Black Belt). So I used a cardinal stamp to reflect this. As it turns out, purple and blue are two of the lower rank belt colors in the karate system I practiced.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

This idea came from a Facebook meme:
Over 10 days, post your 10 all time favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.

Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order:me favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.

Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order:

The Karate Kid (2010) Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week

1. Himself (and his companion, Kwai Chang Cane) earned his 5th degree black belt and the rank of Master. Besides the five,red stripes on his belt, he will also get to wear a red gi jacket. I'm so proud of him. Though I'm proud of him with or without the Master honorific.

2. Himself finished cooking dinner while I worked on Christmas projects.

3. Since we cooked a roast for dinner, Sunday was a fend for yourself day. (No cooking for me)

4. Himself had errands to run, asked if I wanted to go along and then we could go out to eat at the 99 Restaurant. No cooking? I'm in!

5. Today is the Winter Solstice and a quote from a Doctor Who Christmas special, "A Christmas Carol", sums up how I'm feeling. "On every world, wherever people are, in the deepest part of the winter, at the exact mid-point, everybody stops and turns and hugs. As if to say, “Well done. Well done, everyone! We’re halfway out of the dark.” Back on Earth we call this Christmas. Or the Winter Solstice."

How was your week?

And for those of you who didn't get Wednesday's joke:

Rudolph got his report card. Look at the grades. Notice his mark in His(tory).   Just like the song tells us:

Then how the reindeer loved him

As they shouted out with glee

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

You'll go down in history"

and he did. His grade in history went from a B+ to a D. He went down in history.

You all may groan now.

T Stands for Date Day

The day began with dropping Himself's car off at

9 Old County Road in Sudbury. Himself knows Son from the karate studio. Butch and Son Automotive great mechanics, honest, fair prices. A little off the beaten path, but worth it.

The car needed new tires, an alignment, oil change. So it would be awhile before we could pick it up.

We decided to head down the road to Russell's Garden Center. We browsed through the gardens looking at plants, lawn gewgaws, and their extensive gift shop. I was too busy looking at things that I didn't take any pictures. Not even of the koi pond with the wooden bridge.

Photo by FOX from Pexels

After wandering around the garden center, it was close to lunch so we went to Five Guys.  Since the day was warm, I had a Coke with Lime as my celebrating Summer drink.

We nibbled peanuts while waiting for our order.

I always think the servers put the Number One sticker on my sandwich because they recognize the Little Princess instead of that fact that I give my order first.

My favorite. A Little Bacon Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickle, mustard and ketchup.

A meal at Five Guys isn't complete without french fries (chips). We usually eat them last because the fries come out of the deep fryer and are molten hot.

While eating lunch we talked about what we would do for the rest of the afternoon.  

We decided we would go to the movies. 

This theater has very comfy seats

We saw

in 3D. Overall, in my opinion. Meh. Typical Marvel movie only this one had nearly all the heros of the Marvel pantheon. I thought it was overly long at 2 hours and 40 minutes and a cliffhanger ending. Felt more like Marvel cashing in on its Super Hero line, but Himself assured me the movie was following the comics. 

The car was ready, but we had decided to head to the karate studio for QiGong with Bob from Simply QiGong. Himself works out with Bob weekly. QiGong is mindful breathing with movement.

After QiGong, Master Beef was having his Tuesday night Reiki Healing and Angel Circle a form of meditation with Reiki.

After the energy work, we headed to pick up Himself's car and go home. It was a long day, but a good day.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

T Stands For Retirement

Himself has decided to retire from teaching at the college. 32 years has been long enough, besides the retirement package offered to him was too good to pass up. Besides, he'll still be able to teach at the college if he wants to. He will go from being a full-time professor to being an adjunct professor. He can also do other things, too. Teach at other schools closer to home, find something as a chemist in the private sector, start a business, or do  a million items on the Honey Do List.

On his way home from the karate studio, I asked if he had eaten lunch. If he was coming home for lunch, I would wait and have lunch with him. He said he had a better idea. 

"Why don't we go out to lunch to celebrate my retirement. I heard an ad on the radio that the 99 has a special on lobster rolls."

Have lunch? Will travel so off we went to the 99 Restaurant. Like a lot of restaurants it has a sports theme. We were seated in a booth by some Boston Red Sox memorabilia.

This famous photograph captured the excitement of Big Papi's (David Ortiz) Grand Slam ( hitting a home run and driving 3 other runners across home plate for a total of 4 runs to tie the game, the second game of the American League Championship Series in 2013. In the bull pen (where the pitchers warm up), police officer, Steve Horgan, embodies the feelings of a true Red Sox fan. Did Officer Horgan check on Torri Hunter of the Detroit Tigers? No, of course, not. "There's no crying in baseball." Hunter wasn't injured though maybe his pride was that he wasn't able to get a glove on the ball for an out. I rather like the way both player and the police officer mirror the Letter V. Just goes to show you. Boston sports fans are rabid. =^,.^=

We ordered our drinks and an appetizer of Mozzarella Moons. Like mozzarella sticks but shaped like a half moon.

 In a nod to my mother-in-law, I ordered a Raspberry Lime Rickey.  She made the best RLR during the Summer months. My drink wasn't mixed, easily remedied by a couple of stirs with the straw, but I thought the ombre effect was very pretty.

Himself ordered a Pepsi (preferred over Coke) and the waitress brought a small bowl of popcorn. In the olden days at this restaurant chain, they used to bring roasted peanuts and people would throw the shells on the floor. I suppose the staff got tired of sweeping up so the restaurant switched to free bowls of popcorn. The bowls of popcorn have gotten smaller. 

The right field foul pole at Boston's Fenway Park is named after Johnny Pesky, a player during the 1940s and 1950s. For the longest time, I thought the pole was just a nuisance to hitters, i.e. pesky. I didn't realize it was named after a player. Say Good Night, Gracie. 😺

The waitress brought our entree. We each ordered the Hot Buttered Lobster Roll which came with drawn butter, fries (chips), and coleslaw. What no appetizer? She had forgotten to bring them out to us. So she retrieved them and had the manager take the item off our bill.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. The last day of Himself's Spring Break, we went out to lunch and then went to see The Black Panther.

2. Just as we were sitting down to St. Patrick's Day dinner, I saw the male cardinal at the feeder. Dad stopping by for his birthday celebration.

3. The Young One picked out yarn for a shawl to complete her outfit for a wedding she'll be attending in May.

4. Went out to dinner and then went with Himself to a QiGong session.

5. The Four'easter, the fourth Nor'easter storm this month, fizzled before it got to us. I'm not complaining.

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. I had a play day and out to lunch with my friend, Teague

2. Surprised by the package with the knitted mushroom from my tablemate .

3. Enjoyed the company of Master Beef and Grandmaster E at the annual December Black Belt dinner.

4. Started assembling Christmas cards to send out.

5. Only got a light dusting of snow so didn't have to cancel the appointment with the Young One's GI specialist.

How was your week?

Body, Mind, and Soul Planner

While Skyping with Nan she told me about an idea for a planner that combined items to feed body, mind, and soul. She asked me for some suggestions so she could create a personalized chart. Suggestions were for small steps that over time would become habits. I wasn't sure what she meant but sent her some items for the lists.

A few days after our Skype session, this fun envelope arrived in the mail. It was the only piece of mail for the day, and it was for me. And it wasn't a bill! 😸

Inside was this happy chart. I love the lettering and the mermaid. I really like the sentiment. Progress, not perfection. This saying fits with Wabi Sabi, the philosophy I try to keep in mind. Wabi Sabi: nothing is permanent, nothing is perfect, nothing is complete. Thanks, Nan for letting me play along with you. I hope I can keep up.

Second on the Second - Paintings

Last month during a T Stands For, I mentioned I had been commissioned to paint Five Shaolin Animals for the dojo where Himself takes classes and teaches. I had a request to show close-ups of the paintings.

I had documented steps for the paintings. If interested, you can read the process and see close-ups of the works in progress.

Dragon

Shape of the Dragon

Enter the Dragon

Tiger: Work in Progress - A Painting

Tiger: Work in Progress - A Painting

Tiger: Work in Progress - A Painting

Tiger: Work in Progress - A Painting

Tiger Sneeze (Finished Painting)

Burly (Leopard)

Thank you for taking the time to look at my paintings.

Check out Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to see other Second on the Second posts.

T Stands For Qi (Chi)

Himself has been having problems with his back. Besides going to physical therapy, he's also been doing some energy work on Fridays at the dojo. Last Friday, he invited me to tag along, but first we stopped to have breakfast at Friendly's in Framingham.

We ordered out drinks. Coke for Himself and a cup of tea for me. I was really looking forward to breakfast.

I ordered Cinnamon Bun pancakes with bacon. Himself had ordered the Big Two Do. Two scrambled eggs, two Brioche French toast, two sausage, and he also got an order of home fries. The waiter brought his breakfast, but my breakfast was no where to be found. Color me disappointed. Several minutes after his breakfast was brought out. The waiter came back and told me they ran out of the frosting that is drizzled on top of the pancakes. What? If you're going to offer menu items, the least you can do is have everything as listed. Otherwise make it known that a certain item is not offered when someone is placing the order.. And to be honest, it's not that difficult to make a frosting. 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, a couple of teaspoons of milk. Ta-DA! I decided to have the Cinnamon Bun pancakes without the frosting.

A few minutes later, the waiter brought my breakfast, but with sausage instead of bacon. I told him I ordered bacon, and he went back and brought me a plate of 3 strips of bacon. We were the only people in the restaurant at this time, but the waiter clearly wasn't happy, didnt want to be there.

The restaurant has a table kiosk to pay your bill, but the kiosk wasn't working. The waiter took another kiosk off another table for us. I was only able to eat half of my pancakes. They were delicious, but huge.Three of them at least 6 inches in diameter. The waiter asked if I wanted a take home box. Sure! He went back to the kitchen and we never saw him again...We waited for the box. Himself decided to use the men's room. Still no box. We left. We've had great service at the Worcester and Auburn locations. We'll skip the Framingham location from now on..

We were early when we got to the dojo. Master Beef was running his Master in The Morning Class. He works one on one with students. D, a second degree brown belt was working on a scythe form that he would perform at the annual regional tournament in November.

Karate Scythe

I helpfully told D, he could use the scythes to make shishkebab.

Master Beef gives pointers and direction.

Setting up in the CJ Kennedy Gallery

Himself works with Bob, not to be confused with Bob. Bob is owner, of SimplyQiGong. His practice focuses on Meditation, soft stylized movements, and breath work to promote deep relaxation, stress relief, pain relief and more.  Bob's program has been developed through practices and training in Guided Meditation, Reiki, QiGong, Tui Na, G-Jo, Myotherapy, Acupoint Tapping, Trigger Point Therapy, and continued research and practice.

 They started with some good mornings.

Bob sounded like he was coming down with coughing up a lung. His wife had been ill with bronchitis which morphed into pneumonia, and Bob was worried he had caught it, too. He asked Himself if he would do a Tui Na exercise to get his chi moving in his lungs. This included a move that looked like slapping the back. Similar to burping an infant, but with a little more force.

Hugging the tree

Holding Buddha's belly

The Drum (tapping kidneys)

They did some floor exercises for back and sciatica. After all the stretching and ramping up of chi, it was time to go home for some horizontal meditation.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Went with Himself to the Black Belt Dinner to celebrate candidates who earned a black belt. As usual, we were seated with Master Beef and his wife, Grandmaster E. E is outrageous, and we had so much fun.

2. Robin from Pink House Studio sent me a delightful postcard of Sebastian, a pink kitty. Thank you so much, Robin. The cheery card helped make the endless rain bearable.

3. Tried to get an appointment for the Young One with a GI specialist in Boston, but the earliest appointment he had was late August. The office called back a day or two later to say they could move the appointment up to June 26.  Hopefully, the doctor will be able to help her.

4. After another week of rain, the sun finally came out!

5. In the garden, Cacciatore, the bunny, has a buddy. Hassenpfeffer. They have been coming out morning and evening to mow the lawn. This morning, a 3rd bunny showed up. The new bunny has a dark spot on his right flank. I've named him or her Chip as in Chocolate Chip to follow the food name themes.

How was your week?

T Stands for Dinner and a Meeting

I belong to a Wellness Group. On the fifth Tuesday of the month, the group meets at the Villari's Natick Martial Arts Studio. This is the dojo where Himself (a 4th degree black belt) teaches and takes classes. Since I had the meeting, I thought he'd like to come along. We could go out to dinner before the meeting, and he could work out while the meeting was going on.

There are lots of chain restaurants in the Natick/Framingham area to choose from, but I had a gift card to The Outback. I love the Outback especially the Coconut Shrimp. Perusing the menu online, I saw the restaurant was offering a Surf and Turf Special. Steak with Coconut Shrimp. My mouth watered.

Something didn't look quite right when we pulled into the parking lot. There were no cars. Not one. And then we saw the notice on the door. This location had closed. So no Coconut Shrimp for The Little Princess.

Steps from Outback is Legal Seafood, but Himself didn't feel like eating at Legal. We were also near Pizzeria Uno's and Bertucci's, an Italian restaurant. I didn't feel like Uno's, and Himself and The Wizards (other professors from the college) usually go to Bertucci's a couple of times a semester. We decided to head across the highway to the Natick Mall and

The Cheesecake Factory. It was chilly so no diners on the patio.

The menu is extensive. It takes nearly 20 minutes to decide what to eat. I debated skipping dinner and just ordering a slab of too die for cheesecake.

I liked the mermaid skylights.

We ordered stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer. They were good, but Ma made them better. A Coke for Himself and an Arnold Palmer (half lemonade, half iced tea) for me.

We each had a house salad. Mine with balsamic vinegarette and Himself had Ranch dressing, I think. We also had bread, but I was too busy eating and didn't take a picture.

I had hoped The Cheesecake Factory had Coconut Shrimp on the menu, but nope. Himself ordered a surf and turf special, Steak Diane with Salmon, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.

I ordered Crispy Pineapple Chicken and Shrimp with veggies and rice in a sweet and spicy sauce. Yup, those are Himself's asparagus spears as he doesn't like asparagus. He doesn't know what he's missing. I also got a taste of his salmon, and he had a taste of my shrimp.

Portions were bigly, yuge so we got a doggie bag, and I asked for a to go cup so I could take the rest of my beverage to the meeting.

This is Bob. Bob is the same rank I was 14 years ago when I went on sabbatical. Green Belt with stripe (four ranks away from 1st degree black belt. There are 10 levels of black belt.)

The Wellness meeting is held in the waiting area between the large and small studios. Some members of the group recently participated in The American Cancer Society Relay for Life, offering Reiki treatments to cancer patients/survivors (free) and a nominal fee for others. All money collected was donated to the American Cancer Society. I think this was the 5th year the group has participated. I had to miss as I was teaching a workshop at the Worcester Public Libary. We also discussed people coming to Reiki to reduce stress (that's how I began the journey).  Because Master Beef, Reiki Master/Master of Masters has a martial arts background, he also brings and shares with us Chi Gong (breathing and moving) and Wu Chi ( the art of stillness) exercises. Discussion also invovled other energy work, and philosophical discussions.

While we were having our meeting, Himself was working out in the small studio, or as I like to call it the CJ Kennedy Gallery. I was commissioned to paint the five Shaolin animals. Dragon, Tiger (I named him Fluffy), and Leopard (affectionately named Burly) hang in the studio. Snake and Crane will be painted later this year.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.