This website is adorable. Very clever and fun to show the kids.

You have to wait until it starts and have your speakers on as there is music.

Karin

• A great website for the 60’s

• All I need to know I learned from the Easter Bunny

• Scentiments (perfume store)

• Have fun with this

• Butterfly card

• New Kids on the Block N Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

• Kids Ceiling Fans Home Lighting

• Kids Shoes Clothing, Shoes Accessories Golf

• Garbage Pail Kids Animation Trading Cards Collectibles

• Babies, Kids Toys Contemporary 1970-Now Miniatures Dollhouse Miniatures Dolls Bears

I really enjoy her singing!

Karin

• Best youtube music video, first YTAwards

• Guangdong Province factories

• Rube Goldberg fun

• Zero 7 feat. José González — Futures

• RL conversation with 8.5 yr old

• Books Video Golf

• Books Video Fishing

• Video Game Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

• Video Railroadiana, Trains Transportation Collectibles

• Books Video Running Exercise Fitness

Elizabeth Buchan has the ability to get into your head, if you are lucky enough to be the subject of her novel(s.) Maybe unlucky enough. Who knows where self-knowledge or self-revelation would take you.

In other words, she makes the stream of consciousness very believable. She captures the essence of the life of a woman of a certain age. In this case Fanny is in her 40s, as is her husband Will. Buchan gets to the heart of their marriage, and to the sense that we are unknown to each other (and maybe even to ourselves) because life changes even as we do.

Surprised by life.

Her titles capture me, before I read the first word.

Fanny has been a good wife, sublimating herself into her marriage and child (now newly left home), maybe more so than many women because her husband is a politician who makes it plain from the beginning that she is never to utter her real thoughts publicly (about politics mostly). Of course, this being a political year here in the States, it makes me wonder how many similar convos go on in the various households of those who are running for election.

Here are a few random quotes:

1 It is a truth universally acknowledged that one person’s happiness is frequently bought at the expense of another’s.

5 …having struggled through muffling intimacies of being a wife and a mother, I was asking: Which room was mine alone? Into which still, private room could I retreat?…I realized that I’d made the mistake, unlike Nora, [Ibsen's Dollhouse] of continuing to believe in miracles…

202… Only later did I understand that I was required to pick up other lives and carry them as well as my own.

303 It was here, in this house, that our marriage performed its trick of turning from an abstract bit of paper — the bit of paper that Caro [her dad's lover] had longed for — into the skin that clothed us both. Inside it, we lived and breathed, and smiled and wept, and drooped and flourished, sometimes all at the same time.

Have you read any of her books? If they are read with a British accent, I think an audio book would ‘take you there.’ I prefer to read the book, as I skip around, then skip back, then hop forward. Yiyiyi. I can’t wait for the end, necessarily. But once I’ve read it, I think I’d enjoy at least hearing part of it. It reminds me a bit of one of our exchange students. He was from Paris, and what he wanted most to do was watch episodes of TV. The shows were dubbed in France, but he wanted to hear what the real voices sounded like. When I read, I read in my own voice, not the accents of the characters, unless it is written in dialect.

Karin

• Wives behaving badly, sequel to R of the M-A woman

• Into the New Year

• What are you currently reading?

• Get Smart

• Harry Potter spoilers here in comment section, not in main post

• Back of Book Canada Stamps

• Elizabeth II UK Great Britain Stamps

• Back of Book United States Stamps

• V Empire Strikes Back Star Wars Science Fiction Collectibles

• Air Mail Back of Book United States Stamps

Dark Earth is one of my favorite fragrances of Neil’s. It is the note I was looking for when I was looking for, yes, an earthy fragrance, similar to what you get after a rain in your garden. A little green, mostly earth.

I actually purchased one from another house, but it is more strident and bright, more like the notes in the cooler of your florist. I wear it only occasionally. By contrast, Dark Earth is the fragrance I was seeking for when I first dreamed of wanting to smell it. It has the ability to transport you to a place and time.

It is subtle, but long lasting. The notes twine around each other, coming full circle more than once. You sense movement in the fragrance; it isn’t static. Every time you take a deep whiff, you can capture a subtle difference, the development of the idea…or the progress of your walk.

The notes are:

Myrhh, patchouli, sandalwood, musk, earth, frankincense, and green forest note.

He told me he used golden musk, which he said is

lush, gorgeous, resinous, deep and tenacious. It holds to the skin very well, acting as a fixative to the other notes.

He created the earth note —

like a damp-walk-in-the-forest note, like the spring is here (or a deep summer day) after everything has melted, almost like loam.

The green forest note is very specific

like the smell of a broken leaf.

I’d say he captured it very well, as I smelled all of this before he told me the notes. Again, sweet patchouli runs through it, which adds to both the darkness and the earthiness of it all.

I do not smell the musk. I have trouble with some musks turning on me, but not with what he is using for his fragrances.

Remember all of his fragrances are true perfumes, not edp or edt. They are $150 for 2 oz for these particular ones.

Karin

• Neil Morris Fragrances, Part 1

• Neil Morris fragrances, part 5 Gotham (end)

• Neil Morris Fragrances, Part 3 Dark Season

• Neil Morris Fragrances, Part 2 his bespoke fragrances

• How do I love thee, let me count the ways — 25 + fragrances to love

• Dark Horse By Publisher Modern Age 1980-Now Comics Collectibles

• Rain Gauges Garden D cor Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

• Healing Garden Women Discount Fragrances Store

• Young, Neil X-Z Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

• Maxwell House Coffee, Tea Advertising Collectibles

Thanks to Gordon for finding this interesting clip. It reminds me of when we used to ‘whistle’ with the little angel wings that came off our trees growing up. Of course, we were one note wonders, not like this.

Karin

• The girl in the café

• Sammy and Gregory Hines in challenge scene in Tap

• A little Chinese trivia from AWAD

• Mini thoughts on current changes in Chinese adoption

• What it’s like to be a teen in China/choosing an English name

• Finding Nemo Pixar Collectibles Contemporary 1968-Now Disneyana Collectibles

• Growing Up Girls Enesco Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles

• Angel Sci-Fi, Fantasy Trading Cards Collectibles

• Gordon Setter Dog Animals Collectibles

• Angel Figures Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

This was an interesting article on motivating your child.

I know there are some things I don’t tackle. It’s easier to stick with what we know we are good at. OTOH, life is boring if we are afraid to branch out.

Of those praised for their effort, 90 percent chose the harder set of puzzles. Of those praised for their intelligence, a majority chose the easy test. The “smart” kids took the cop-out.

Karin

• Thinking about prayer

• You are my everything, praise song

• More on rioting in China over one-child policy

• To recover: talk lovingly to yourself

• 101 Ways To Praise A Child

• Children Patterns Sewing Collectibles

• My Child Mattel By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears

• Tackle Boxes Fishing

• Terminal Tackle Fishing

• Life Savers Candy Nuts Advertising Collectibles

College Girl and I went to see this at the late showing last night. There were about 6 of us in the theater.

We thought it was funny, with an upbeat, satisfying ending. Of course, you have to suspend reality, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

We always enjoy Queen Latifah. Diane Keaton plays her usual character. Ted Danson gets better looking the older he gets. Katie Holmes’ character is fun to watch. She’s rather a hoot. Adam Rothenberg as her husband gets the most he can out of his part.

There were a lot of laughs.

Karin

• Kids are so funny, they keep you on your toes

• Adoption Corruption 5) Be aware of the role that foreign fees and foreign/orphanage

• Adoption Corruption 6) Hold non-profit adoption agencies accountable

• How many X hundred dollar creams can a woman use?

• Keeping score in life

• Funny Romance Books

• Swamp Thing Superhero Modern Age 1980-Now Comics Collectibles

• Funny Romance Audio Books

• Queen Q Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

• Night Lights Lamps, Lighting Collectibles

College Girl and I went to see this movie tonight. The theater was packed at 8:15, loads of adults of all ages, no kids.

We liked it. Yes, it’s predictable, but it isn’t just one star, the way the reviewer gave it in our paper. Katherine Heigl has a face you love to watch, with a beautiful smile. Edward Burns had to be blind not to notice her. Of course, that is part of the humor/pathos. James Marsden has his part down pat. Judy Greer plays much the same part she played in 13 going on 30, without the back stabbing.

We had a good time and left the theater happy.

Karin

• The Oscars

• Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich

• Comparing Bryant Park and West Side, Bond No 9s

• Free hugs everywhere

• I hope you saw the moon tonight

• Tokens Love Exonumia Coins Paper Money

• Love Romance Books

• Skating Dresses-Girls Ice Skating Winter Sports

• Skating Dresses-Women Ice Skating Winter Sports

• Love Romance Audio Books

I’m on a roll with Elizabeth Buchan’s books, reading one at a time, but I have a number of them from the library to go. I’m intrigued by the titles.

This book is the sequel to Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman, but it is in Minty’s voice, Nathan’s second wife, whereas the first book is in Rose’s voice, his first (and wronged) wife. The time frame is 7 years later. The bloom is off the rose as far as Minty’s marriage goes, but Rose’s life is at a good point. Rose and Minty do not really behave badly; they just go through some bad spells in ways that could drive them farther apart, but ultimately bring them together. It would be possible to behave more badly and not come to any settlement.

How Minty cements a place in the family over time, how Rose’s daughter accepts her…believably…a well done book. Minty is human like the rest of us, with regrets and need for forgiveness.

Of the two books, I liked the first better, but this was a worthy read.

Have you read it?
Karin

• Courtesy

• Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil

• When do you know a friendship is over?

• Adoption Corruption 19) Work for Legislative and Executive Remedies

• Into the New Year

• Wonder Woman Figurines Comics Collectibles

• Wonder Woman Superhero Modern Age 1980-Now Comics Collectibles

• Back of Book Canada Stamps

• Book Ends Decorative Collectibles Collectibles

• Back of Book United States Stamps

Perfume is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory of fashion. It heralds your arrival and prolongs your departure. Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel

I think it is safe to say that perfume prolongs your enjoyment of moments too. It adds both a sensory layer and a sensory memory to life’s experiences. I find that I can enhance a mood — or conversely change a mood — by the perfume I choose for the day.

I decided this last sentence isn’t exactly true for me. It is rare that I wear the same fragrance through the entire day. I much prefer to layer up and change as the day goes on and as my own feelings develop. I wear enough that I can enjoy it, but not so much that I can’t change in a few hours.

Neil Morris spoke with me saying that he likes to capture memories and moments of his life in a fragrance. Behind his fragrances, there is always a story. He asked me if I would like to know the stories behind his fragrances, and of course, I said yes!

Dark Season is a lovely, lush fragrance, filled with nuances of meaning. The notes are

French cinnamon, labdanum, oak moss, myrrh, fir needle, dark vanilla, Indonesian patchouli

He told me

Dark Season is a scent impression of a time I spent in Finland visiting friends — cold, dry shimmering nights. One evening our group took a walk through the winter woods in Lahti. The night was crystalline with cold air, and a majestic forest. The snow started to fall — it was an other worldly landscape. The stars were like frozen lights, as if they would break in a thousand crystal pieces, if you breathed on them. We had to return home as the north wind was getting too potent. My friend lives on a street that translates: Path of the Northern Hag. In the distance we could smell the warm fires and the saunas. Out in the cold and elements, a dry cold, we felt the promise of something warm in the distance, the hearth burning. My friend served gloggi, like a mulled wine — a perfect evening.

One thing I have longed to do for a number of years is spend some time in Finland during the winter season when the nights fill the daytime hours. I have ‘family’ in Helsinki and a dear ’son’ who lived with us for the school year when our son was 5. Just recently he brought his son to visit us, a kind of full circle. I’ve spent some time in Helsinki and at their summer cottage, enjoying their saunas, not to mention the cold dip after in the crystal clear lake.

I asked Neil how he learned to speak Finnish, and he told me he’d lived there for about a year. Lovely for him! Someday I hope to do the same, even if I might be hopeless with the language.

I asked him what he would do if he could no longer use oak moss. He said, it wasn’t settled yet, but he preferred to use natural oak moss and labdanum, but he has a good alternative, if he can no longer use oak moss.

Well, my impression: of course, knowing the Finnish back story enhances the fragrance for me, how could it not! My first impression is of fir needle and patchouli, the sweet kind that I love. The fragrance settles in with cinnamon wrapped around the patchouli — both last until the end — with vanilla casting a spell, along with the richness of myrrh. Altogether an entirely satisfying fragrance. If you love the notes, you would love it!

Yes, it is a walk in the woods, a night dark enough to let the stars shine through as crystal. (We had this experience of stars so bright you felt you could touch them, when we were at Lake Tahoe.) Wrapped around like the warmth of a good lap blanket are the notes that make up some of the spicy drinks we serve in cold weather — but not spiced cider, as there is no apple/fruity note in it.

I think I’m thirsty!

This fragrance is not overbearing, nor sickly sweet. It is the promise of happy memories and good times, richly elegant in its simplicity.

Stayed tuned for his other fragrances on other days. The price is $150 for 2 oz of perfume. Again, these are not available at his website yet, but you can order them by requesting them. Or if you prefer, you can phone: 617-267-2315. They are also available at Takashimaya in NYC.

Karin

• Neil Morris Fragrances, Part 1

• Neil Morris fragrances, part 5 Gotham (end)

• Neil Morris fragrances, part 4 Dark Earth

• Neil Morris Fragrances, Part 2 his bespoke fragrances

• How do I love thee, let me count the ways — 25 + fragrances to love

• Vintage Perfume Store

• Antique Perfume Store

• Vanity, Perfume Shaving Collectibles

• Shaving Vanity, Perfume Shaving Collectibles

• Solid Perfume Store