Goldys

I enjoy eating breakfast in this cute cozy little cafe downtown Boise Idaho. It's has a light fixture in the middle of the restaurant that feels very Harry Potter-ish, Light bulbs with wings to each one going in every direction. Goldys, a lovely place to have breakfast and sit with a good friend. One of my friends who loved this place too, is Bethany. Even though she has moved away now, I am hoping to meet back up with her here again in the future, in the "someday" of our plans. We use to enjoy those long winter mornings tucked away in Goldy's, or afterwords walk around outside downtown in those fresh new spring and summer days! This is a perfect place for girls like us in our skirts and scarfs to meet. We could eat a hearty breakfast or have simply a cup of fresh fruit. While this small cafe is always busy, always crowded and even though there isn't a waiting room, people will stand outside in line because it's so yummy to eat here! (My husband isn't a fan of how tight tables and chairs are, he usually changes his mind about going here for breakfast.) That is why I think of Goldy's as being more of a place to catch up with girlfriends, a place where I happily run up hugging Bethany as we enter the cozy place together!

"Are you alright?" I asked across the table as we sat up in the balcony of this noisy cafe, Bethany looked worried, then she shrugged. Now our friendship went back in time, back to when we were just kids, attending the same church. Her sister was one my beloved friends, so in many ways I had always thought of Bethany as my own little sister too. Then over the last 4 years we were reconnected again. It happened just after the first of the year 2007, we had literally bumped into each other! The moment she smiled I was thrilled to know her, she had grown up into such a lovely lady. Surprisingly we were instantly friends again! I thought it was so refreshing to be around someone who lived with unconditional love, and yet we remembered that other life time we shared. 

Bethany and I sat at Goldy's when she replied "I'm not sure....a part of me just wants to get married and another part knows I should finish college." I smiled nodding, I had thought it was getting close to when she would be ready to marry this sweet guy she talked about often. I enjoyed all the excitement and sparks of young love, as she clearly bloomed with happiness. We had walked for miles talking about all of these things next the Boise river on the green belt. We also had lazy afternoon picnics by the pond watching people paddle boat by, as we looked over a stack of magazines for decorating ideas and dresses. As much as I knew I would miss her once she married and moved away, I was still so happy for her with no doubt we would always be friends. I replied back "What I have learned in my own life, is once you are married everything gets better because you are now a "team", Suddenly you aren't so alone in finishing school or saving money...because NOW you have a best friend who will encourage you to reach these individual goals, and create the family you would like. On the other hand, if you wait...you can stay focused on your own life." I listened as Bethany explain these big choices she had to make, I explained that for Tony and me dating 4 years was a perfect amount of time for us, yet once we were actually married everything came together perfectly and we knew we actually belonged. THAT feeling and understanding gave us a better setup to reach our goals and dreams. Bethany smiled as she said "I like how you believe in "Happily Ever After", and that no matter what I decide, you will still be my friend." I held up my coffee with a grin in reply "YUP no matter what, I am here! And I also know that wonderful things lay ahead for you!"

A sweet adorable place like Goldy's where friends meet and yummy pastries crumble on their plates over steaming coffee and teas, can't be replace so easily. Maybe it's really the people who create such a nostalgic memory? Yet...it has to start with an actual place, a place JUST like Goldy's, waiting there for them to return again.

A Book Review, "Dog Days" by Jon Katz

When I think of a wonderful place to discover through the power of reading! I think of "Dog Days" by Jon Katz, for in this book I came to love his farm Bedlam Farms as if it was my own personal farm to visit time and again through the open pages and escape he created for his readers! The passion in how he loves dogs and respects them, how he sees the structure of his farm, how each person in his life is just as important as each dog with their own personality and time. I loved how he discovered Izzy! (Both The story of Izzy, and the story of Rose, the other hard working boarder collie on his farm, can take you right into a place of your own heart and your own memories of the dogs you have also loved!) Jon writes with such honesty and love for his dogs. When he captures the surroundings of his farm from the flower gardens to the barns. From the mysterious cats to the goofy sheep that he keeps around to work his dogs, Bedlam Farm is the first place I found that I belonged, in my mind's eye and heart I am happiest when I am there through these pages of the book! I can see my own life moving in this same direction. I feel like Jon Katz says exactly what I am thinking or feeling when he writes and shares his life. Ever since the day I read this book I learned how to returned to my old childhood desire to be a writer, to be as real and as honest in my life like when I was 10 years old.When I held my notebook in my lap writing all I saw around me as I leaned against my very first dog Savannah. This book brought me back to that moment again as the summer sunshine warmed my heart while I stated out loud to my big old dog   "I want to be a writer..."

My Weekend in Portland

Flying into Portland Oregon was like returning to my second home, my second beloved city!  (Actually, In 2009 I added up 5 trips to Portland creating my admiration for the place all that more powerful!) Over my childhood memories visiting Portland with Grandma Norma brings me back time and again. My father's sister Aunt Chris also lives in this wonderful city, Her friendship and love has become a big part of my life! And why I love Portland more and more! I enjoyed walking the halls of the airport last weekend on my own, I was happily moving forward to embracing my Aunt, one of my dearest friends! I am amazed to have such great family connections in this adult life of mine! I think unconditional love is the best part of family, the best part of ourselves. I was also glad to share with my Aunt and Uncle in this important event for me, of meeting Jon Katz in his Book Signing last Friday night, Now last summer when we were all at the beach together, I found my friendships with Uncle Steve and Aunt Chris to be one that I could share everything I love in this world with!!! Their kids are now college age so in also spending time with them, I am thrilled to create new friends! I believe having such good memories and good friendships like this will last a life time. This trip was heart warming as I got to have breakfast with Cousin Kelsey and dinner with Cousin Jerram! I would not of made it the book signing on time without the help of Uncle Steve's sweet styling ride and Aunt Chris's directions. Sharing with them this magical evening and enjoying the togetherness, make the night complete! I loved how my Aunt Chris watched over me with unconditional love and support while I got my book signed. How sweet Uncle Steve was in chatting with me, I cherish having them in my life! It was so much fun to visit a couple locations of McMenamins, where there is a sense of community and awesome art. The gardens at McMenamins were truly amazing! I loved walking through those gardens and going on a walk with my Aunt's Boston Terriers puppies, Murphy and Emma in the glimpse of sun light one afternoon. And in Portland where the rain comes and goes at random, the dark colors of the earth and the foliage contributes to the BEAUTIFUL City! The City I will keep returning to!! For I love it all and I love my Portland Family!!!

My First Book Signing

My very first book signing event to attend, was to see my favorite author,

        JON KATZ and his new children's book "Meet the dogs of Bedlam Farm."  

 This "larger then life"  moment was why I felt so nervous, so excited and so awkward hanging back chatting with the other people in line, I was trying to get up my nerve to face 
Jon Katz, as he signed my book! WOW and YIKES was how I felt inside all at the same time! I was almost the first in line when the talk was over but when I saw Jon's wife Maria, I ran over to meet her first! I also follow her blog regularly, for She inspired me to not give up on my sewing! Her blog truly makes me feel like I have found a kindred spirit! Maria has a way with animals that I relate with, I love how she gracefully poses in Jon's Photography almost hidden like she knows the object in that picture is more important then herself. As I approach Maria in person, I felt so bewildered by my own nerves and fast heart beat, I was asking myself questions like "Will I sound like a blabbing fool? Will I intimidate her by knowing all about her art and sewing?" I wanted to run right up to her with a big hug, for in my heart she was already my friend! Although, the reality is...well, we have never met! Truly now, I knew I wasn't an actual friend. Although, my heart was going to burst! Jon was wearing his new red hat and signing books, He seemed so relaxed, happy and a natural with visiting with his fans. I enjoyed my time in line trying to calm myself down before I met him face to face! While I was talking with everyone in line, I enjoyed how I wasn't alone in this exciting night! Even when some one would ask if they could cut in line I didn't mind at all because I felt like it gave me a bit more time to think of what to say or how maybe not to jump up and down so much:-)

Jon Katz in person, is a very nice friendly man! I was still nervous and excited when he gave me a big smile and shook my hand! I instantly felt his calm, down to earth thoughtfulness help me also calm down! When he interviewed me I was struck by how hard it was to look directly in his camera, although I finally told myself to stay focus. Sometimes I get an overwhelming feeling in my heart and soul, that I am RIGHT where I am MEANT TO BE and this was one of those moments again! He hugged me back, saying "Let's keep in touch." (and I couldn't believe this amazing treatment in our personal connection!)

Along with my soft tears of true happiness, I hold his signed book of the farm...of the dogs....and most importantly of him... and truly of all that I will love forever in my life!

A Beautiful Night....One I will never forget!

When I first saw that my most favorite Author was coming to the Pacific coast side on his new book tour. I held my breath in true surprise! For he lives on the East side of this country, I wondered if I could make a trip work to see him! Then so many things about my life was up in the air that I gave up thinking it would work out. That somehow I wasn't going to see JON KATZ after all. Then all of a sudden everything came about in a odd way!  I was trying to heal after having been attacked by a good friend, the emotional pain of that event really changed my whole focus. In this world nothing is actually perfect and I understand that, but the things I have learned made me realize that I will never stop sharing my heart, never stop being myself. SO this weekend was a gift from my Hubby Tony and my mother-in-law JoAnne, they insisted on me taking this trip for the book signing! It was from their love and friendship that they both knew, they both understood how desperately I need to get away, How I adored Jon Katz and all his writing! How I love his blog and follow his four dogs. (Even this last winter in my book club, I shared Jon Katz's novel "Rose in a Storm".) 

In the summer of 2006 when I began taking my long walks everyday over the Boise River, the parks and the downtown alleyways. I found visiting with strangers while I walked to be one of those "old style" connections,  where no man is an island suffering alone! In that very same summer I read my first Jon Katz book "Dog Days" and cried when it ended. For in the depth of my heart is this desire to write, to capture all the dogs out there up into my arms! So I cried because I wanted to return to Bedlam Farm over and over again! When I read I find myself actually THERE in every word described, in every page! So Jon Katz books have that ability to capture the magic of life with all the true emotions we feel! I admire my Husband who knows the things I really truly love, I admire my Mother-in-law Mama Jojo because she is embracing new changes and loves being there for her grown children! They both gave me something I will NEVER forget! They gave me such A beautiful night!

A Beautiful Night!

Words of the song, "Dreams" by the Cranberries

Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
Never quite as it seems

I know I felt like this before
But now I’m feeling it even more
Because it came from you

Then I open up and see
The person fumbling here is me
A different way to be

I want more, impossible to ignore
Impossible to ignore
They’ll come true, impossible not to do
Impossible not to do

Now I tell you openly
You have my heart so don’t hurt me
For what I couldn’t find

Talk to me amazing mind
So understanding and so kind
You’re everything to me

Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
’cause you’re a dream to me
Dream to me