Joy in Flowers

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul." ~ Luther Burbank

Everyone has little things that make them happy: Their children, favorite team winning a game, seeing something new, spending time with loved ones, a beautiful sunset, a good book, etc, etc, etc.  It's always nice to find joy in the little things and in little moments.

Flowers hold such joy with their beautiful colors and wonderful scents.  Spring just wouldn't be Spring without buds on the trees and flowers dancing up from the ground.

I'm so ready for Spring.  It's technology here, starting over a week ago, and the weather is in that confused state where it doesn't know if it should be cold or warm, and so tries both, sometimes on the same day.

The trees a starting to color, dead branches coming to life in greens, pinks, and white.  This time of year is always so beautiful.

PS. The vase is from the Worthington Gallery in Springdale Utah.  Their shop is quite nice, but you can purchase items online.  Mad Art Studios made the actual vase, a husband and wife team living in San Diego.  I fell in love with it immediately, and even though my funds are tight this vase seemed to beg to come home with me.  Doesn't it look so beautiful with the tulips?  A piece of art I'll always treasure.

"I must have flowers, always, and always." ~ Claude Monet

 

The Creator's Playbook Podcast: "Leprechauns in Spaaaace!!"

The Creator's Playbook

Episode 49: "Leprechauns in Spaaaace!!"

Hosts: Sarah and Michael

"Ireland is full of lore and mysticism. From fairies who are in touch with nature, luring strangers to their time transporting fairy rings. To Pooka's, ghostly horses who beckon both good and bad omens. And the legendary Finn McCool... who gains knowledge by sucking his thumb. But nothing is more symbolically tied to Ireland than the Leprechauns, magical creatures who tempt with wishes and gold. Join Michael and Sarah as they create a story surrounding the Leprechaun with possibilities beyond space and time."

This is the first episode Michael and I hosted!!

For this episode I did the writing prompt and research.  At first the general theme was going to simply be about Irish lore and mythology, but it really is so vast that each creature and theme can have its own episode, so I narrowed it down to Leprechauns, which a lot of people associate with Ireland, and it's still the month of St. Patrick's Day.  

Goodness, though I did fall down the rabbit hole in regards to Fairy Rings while researching, watched someone's "true story" retelling, and was so creeped out that night I had to sleep with a night light.  (Yes, I sleep with a night light when I'm creeped out, but on a positive note it doesn't happen that often.)  There's a lot to play with and explore in mythology, and there are so many myths and legends, etc, that it's just one big giant sand box.

Hope you can listen!  If you can I hope you find it fun and creativity inspiring. 

Sarah

 

Circling Horses In Southern Utah

Usually roundabouts are quite boring.  Just a little do-si-do before continuing on the path, unless you like going in circles.

 

In Southern Utah, while traveling from Snow Canyon to St. George, we came upon this roundabout, which is really spectacular.  We made several rounds around the roundabout, getting quite dizzy in the process, while taking these pictures.

A Drive Through Snow Canyon Utah

 Snow Canyon is a Utah State Park.  It's only 10 miles from St. George.  The park itself it really quite small, only four miles long, and is $10.

There is a camp site where RV's park, walking trails, and places to bike.  Even though it's small Snow Canyon is still beautiful.

On the day I visited it was rainy, the hanging clouds adding mystique to the landscape.  The visit was quick, but worth it.  Next time it would be nice to go on a walk, but it was just a little cold this visit.

La Fin

Classic Movie Monday: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)

AKA...

How To BS Your Way to the Top!

How did I not know this was a movie?

The first time I saw How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying was at a humble community theater production as a kid.  It was fun, the music was great, and that elevator song was an instant favorite.  I've seen a couple stage productions of it since, but had no idea it was a movie until it popped up while browsing Amazon.

For those unaware, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, quite a mouthful, is a 1967 movie directed by David Swift (who also did The Parent Trap and Pollyanna), starring Robert Morse, based on the 1961 stage musical (which won both a Pulitzer and a few Tony's) and originally staged by Bob Fosse (also starring Robert Morse), which is based on the 1952 book. 

The story is about "Ponty" Finch, a sky-rise window washer who stumbles upon the book How to Succeed in Business (etc) at a newspaper stand, and immediately begins to read and follow its advice.  He joins a large corporation as a mail room worker, and soon enough the book's advice gives Finch (That's F-I-N-C-H) an incredible edge, and he literally begins climbing the corporate ladder within days. 

It's strange watching this movie as an adult with no clear memory of the changes from stage to screen, or even if the theater may have "softened" some things.  How to Succeed (etc) is PG-13.  It's definitely more adult.  It's not the family friendly My Fair Lady or Sound of Music of my youth.  This movie is a little edgy, playing up on corporate 1960 stereotypes, full of satire.  I kept thinking that there's no way this movie would be made today, as it's a product of it's time.  

This is the sort of movie that shouldn't be remade, simply because it's perfect as it is.  A 1960's satire made in the 60's.  Perfectly cast with fun songs that are well performed.  The colors bright and costuming fun.  It just works.  

So, the movie was fun, I laughed, and now I've got "Been a Long Day" stuck in my head.

Sarah

The Creator's Playbook Podcast: "Nova State" - Lost Things

The Creator's Playbook

Episode 48: "Nova State" - Lost Things

Hosts: Steven and Robbie

The original duo is back in action in this wacky tale of wonder!!! :D  Actually, this is quite a quirky episode, and both Steven and Robbie seem to be having a blast creating this story about lost things... which is in part inspired by Robbie losing his favorite manga set that's now out of print.  That's actually really sad, but this episode isn't sad at all!  If you have time I hope you can enjoy a listen of this latest Creator's Playbook episode, found on various podcast services.

"A misplaced wallet. An ancient temple entombed by hundreds of years of jungle and vegetation. The misplaced letter calling for peace between two warring generals. All of us in our lives have experienced something lost, whether it be precious or otherwise. And when we're driven to find those things, or those things summon within us precious feelings and emotions when they are found, a story is born. Join Robbie and Steven as they do a story on lost things!"

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

Sarah

 

Wearing Green on St. Patrick's Day... Living the Tradition

Wednesday Morning I half spaced it while choosing something to wear, leaning towards something teal or blue until realizing that day had a dress code: Green.  Something green had to be worn, and blue or teal doesn't count.   Funny enough I used to have a lot of green in my wardrobe, but instead I opted for my favorite yet tired Mickey shirt in olive green.  It still count's, right?  No leprechaun was going to pinch me while wearing that color tone, correct?

For good measure I threw on three Irish bracelets. One of the bracelets my Mom made with jade from a Santa Barbara bead store off State Street (we spent a bit of time in that store, and I was so excited to have found jade beads).  The other two bracelets are from Ireland, amethyst and connemara marble.  How perfect is it that Ireland has a marble exclusive to its island, and it just so happens to be green?

Beautiful shades of green, too.

It's funny how we all have traditions we can't help but celebrate.  Not wearing green on St. Patrick's Day feels sacrilege.

One of my favorite St. Patrick's Day memories was in Kindergarten.  Our teacher made it VERY clear that we were to wear green, and if we didn't wear green we would get pinched by leprechauns.  I believed it!!  And some of the kids did get pinched, only by the other kids.  When we entered the classroom that day our teacher, Mrs. Franklin, made it magical.  Irish lore was everywhere, and throughout the room were trails of tiny green foot pints where the leprechauns had scurried about.  I was thrilled to not have been pinched.  And every year since I've worn green.

While choosing something to wear last Wednesday I mused how I had completely forgotten to grab my Gryffindor sweater on Halloween.   These last several years I've worn that Hogwarts symbol, because I sorta look like I've made an effort for the holiday, though I'm technically just being lazy and un-festive.  This year I literally spaced it, even though I had door duty.  With the pandemic not many kids came to the door, but dang it the kids that did was going to get candy!!

So traditions die hard, and wearing green on St. Paddy's Day will live on.

P.S. The Mickey on the shirt is my spirit animal.

PPS. I Didn't get pinched. :P

 

References:

Before Green, This Was the Color of St. Patrick's Day, News 10

St. Patrick's Day, National Geographic for Kids

Why We Wear Green on St. Patrick's Day, Readers Digest

The Creator's Playbook Podcast: Ep. 47 "Star Wanderers"

 The Creator's Playbook

Episode 47: "Star Wanderers" - Faster Than Light (FTL)

Hosts: Robbie and Michael

This was last week's episode.   It's a really great listen, if you haven't had the chance yet, and here's a teaser of what this creative episode is all about:

"Beyond our world exists limitless other worlds, possibilities and civilizations. A single quarter sized view of space can hold billions of galaxy and trillions upon trillions of stars just waiting to be discovered. The problem is, we just can't seem to get there in our lifetime. Today, Michael and Robbie will take a crack at an old sci-fi favorite, Faster Than Light travel, where we create our own method of breaking the intergalactic speed barrier."

Good ol' science fun. :D

Have a great day!!

Hope you're wearing green.  Teal doesn't count. :P

Sarah

Classic Movie Monday: The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)

“They seek him here, they seek him there
Those Frenchies seek him everywhere
Is he in heaven or is he in... hell?
That demned elusive Pimpernel” 

~ Baroness Orczy, The Scarlet Pimpernel

In a time of Revolution the French were sending the innocent to Madame Guillotine, all while cheering and knitting.  Each death resulted in a new cheer while blood stained the streets.  Chilling.  But according to the cheerers those being killed well deserved it.  They had it coming...

The Scarlet Pimpernel, written by Baroness Orczy, was originally a play and was performed in 1903.  The play was an incredible success, and the novel was published in 1905.  The 1934 film, starring Leslie Howard, is based on the play and novel.  

Who doesn't know about The Scarlet Pimpernel!!??  There's been a series of plays, movie adaptations, a radio drama, and a musical, plus a large series of books.  The Pimpernel is a superhero, masquerading under numerous facades to carry out daring rescues.  His mission?  Save as many as he can from death, mounting crazy plans through a large network of connections and a personal league. In real life no one suspects him, including his wife, as he's foppish, disconnected, while throwing himself into fashion and portraying himself as a nincompoop.

I first fell in love with the 1982 movie starring Anthony Andrew, Jane Seymour, and Ian McKellen.  It's fabulous, and that led me to read the novel and see the Broadway travel production of the musical in LA in the late 90's, seeing Douglas Sills, who originated the role on Broadway, perform as Sir Percy Blakeney during his last week in the role.  It was a Thursday matinee, and there was actually a technical malfunction during the song Into the Fire.  The show was paused for about 10 minutes, and Douglas came out to talk to the audience.  It was just so cool and unforgettable.  Needless to say I'm a fan of the story at large.

Even though I'm a fan of the Pimpernel story, I didn't know there was a 1934 movie, but after finding it on Amazon Prime it was worth the gander.  This is a fun version, superbly acted.  Leslie Howard as the Pimpernel is perfect.  If you're a fan of the Pimpernel story or simply like swashbuckling fun, The Scarlet Pimpernel is worth the watch.  All versions are recommended.

Sarah

Can A Charging Cable Be Haunted?

Maybe I'm using the wrong word here, but it seems that the charging cable for my phone has become a "slippery object," which may be a better way of saying it.

I just got back from visiting GA/SC/NC, as my Mom and I were visiting a dear ol' friend from Porterville CA.  It was a wonderful trip where we got a little bit of everything: The German equivalent of Solvang, an Edwardian Mansion, Mountains, Lakes, Rivers, Beaches, and dessert in the basement of a 1771 home.

But there was something weird going on with my phone charger.  It kept going missing.  Usually it was pretty easy to find, but after driving from NC to GA, getting there late at night, I tiredly grabbed my belongings and went to bed.

That morning my charger was gone!!  A quick search through my carry-on yielded nothing.  A search through a large suitcase, which was locked for over 24 hours, again yielded nothing.  Then I went back to the carry-on, took everything out one by one, put everything back one by one, and was flustered.  The car was searched, again nothing.

Then in the evening, as I was getting ready for bed, I opened my carry-on and the charger was sitting right on top of my things.  No one went into the room I was staying in, as I mainly kept it locked, and no one besides myself touched the small luggage.  

It was just weird.

Any who, it seemed that charger didn't want to stay where I wanted it to stay.

And now I'm back at home, having taken my charger out after the flight to charge my phone, so it made it back to UT, and it's missing again.  I only keep it in two places, never anywhere else, and it's no where to be found.

Either I'm going senile in my young age, or a ghost is playing with me.

Unless I really am just getting forgetful and it will turn up in the most ridiculous of places. :\ The most likely scenario.  

Sarah

And I just looked under my bed.  It's not under my bed, nor in my load of laundry.  Guess it's good it didn't get washed.  Hmmm -_-;;

P.S. A few hours after writing this blog post I found the charger.  Sometimes, as is apt to happen, I was watching a round of Four in a Bed as I lay my head on an armrest, trying not to fall asleep.  I looked under the table, and there, just behind the table and couch against the wall, was the charger.  How did it get there?  My mind is blank.  Perhaps I carried it on something and it slipped off?  Strange mystery, just glad to have it back.  I'll be more careful with it in the future. :\

Finding Geological Wonders From Utah

Springdale Utah, right next to Zion National Park, is a quaint little town.  There are loads of hotels and restaurants, little shops, and three geology stores.  I love geology stores.  One of the things I wanted to collect on this visit was to find stones that are unique to Utah, and there are a few.  Of the three stores I only visited one, Zion Prospectors, but the others, which I've visited in years past, are also good.

 

The stones I picked up were Utah Opalized Fluorite (Tiffany Stone), Utah Honeycomb Calcite, and Utah Septarian.

Tiffany Stone

The best specimens of Tiffany Stone are a deep purple, and they're expensive.  A few years ago I got a couple Tiffany Stone pendants at the gem faire, but I'm not so clear on their origin, as the booth owner didn't know.  Apparently Tiffany stone only comes from Utah, but the person working at Zion Prospectors said Tiffany Stone is now being found elsewhere, and being passed as from Utah.  Who knows where my pendants are from, but this little stone is positively from Utah.

 

 Tiffany Stone is from Thomas Range, as the mine is closed for safety, which means there will be no more Tiffany Stone's from Utah.  "These nodules consist of flourite, agate, chalcedony, quartz rhodonite, and opal."  It's simply a beautiful stone.

Utah Honeycomb Calcite

This is a beautiful stone which is exclusive to Utah, found in the Uinta Mountains.  This was the first time I've even seen, let alone known about Honeycomb Calcite, and instantly fell in love.  The honey colors are varied and rich, and the way light illuminates the different chambers is mesmerizing.  It's really fun shining a flashlight into the Honeycomb Calcite.

As we were having dinner the last evening I told my Mom that Utah's stone should be the Utah Honeycomb Calcite, because it's perfect.  We're the beehive state after all, and this stone is only found in this state.  While researching after getting home I found an article from St George News, February 9, 2021, about how a Utah lawmaker is working on getting the Utah Honeycomb Calcite to become the Utah official stone.  It's passed the State House and only needs approval from the State Senate.

Heh, on further study it kinda looks like an orange.

Utah Septarian

This stone is 50 million years old, which is a combination of ancient mud balls, shell life from millennia past, and later calcite forming within.  I don't know if it's still open, but Septarian Nodules can be found at Muddy Creek near Orderville Utah off of the 89.

 

It would be really cool to search for nodules, and apparently Orderville has a few rock shops to visit.  So many rock shops.  It would be fun to visit those shops one day, along with the ones in Springdale, and collect more cool specimens.  Orderville is only 30 miles from Springdale, and you have to go through Zion to get there.  That would be such a fun drive, and then continue on to Bryce Canyon, which I still need to see.

Someday.

Driving Through Zion

Zion National Park is a wonder.  Located an hour from St. George Utah, and about 2 1/2 hours from Las Vegas, Zion is a nice visit.  It's been ages since I've visited, as they have an exclusive shuttle service for weekends and peak season.  It's only during low peak times when you can drive through, windows down, through the park.  The shuttles are nice and so on, but nothing quite beats the full freedom of driving.

La Fin