Finally Friday - Anniversary and Labor Day Weekend

If you would be loved, love, and be lovable - Ben Franklin

It will be 35 years of wedded bliss on Sunday, September 1st.    Wow!

The proof  of true love is to be unsparing in criticism - Moliere

"Ray, are you sure that's what you are wearing  today?"     "Hmmm". 
 

I enjoy his sporty stuff.   He's become a museum guy.   You have  to grow  together, but also  have separate hobbies too.  Then you have  fresh stuff  to talk about.  I  truly believe in that. 

And you have to find the magic, keep the magic, revere the magic, and laugh together. 

Love ya , Ray!!  Thanks  for putting up with me.  And yes, he's put up with a month  of me after rotator cuff surgery.   When you say "for better or worse", this medical  issue is  part  of the  "worse". 

Also, Happy Labor Day Weekend to all of my worker bee blog friends who enjoy a three day weekend. When retired, it's just another great weekend!

Cheers  all.  

Whatever Wednesday - Renaissance Tapestries

Once again the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth brings us Renaissance treasures to enjoy.  This stunning Italian armor is  our introduction to the Battle of Pavia, fought on February 24, 1525 by the forces of Charles V (Habsburg ruler, Holy Roman Emperor) versus the King of France, Francis I. 

After a long siege in Pavia in northern Italy, Charles V proved the victor. His technological superiority was thanks to powerful weapons and riflemen. 

 Seven tapestries were designed by court artist Bernard van Orley and woven in the Brussels atelier of Willem and Jan Dermoyne.  They were presented as a gift in 1531.  They've been restored and are now on display.  Absolutely stunning in color, depth, detail, and size.  I was in awe as I spent over an hour studying the detail and historical story told in these tapestries. 

Here's an example of just one teensy piece. Notice the rich colors, the teeming masses, action, detail, and expressions.   Every piece has a huge story to tell of battle, Pavian life, and death. 

Along with the tapestries are pieces from the Farnese Armory - masterworks of steel carving and fretwork. 

Thank you Kimbell Art  Museum in Fort Worth.  Go visit and support your local museums.  They are a treasure unto themselves. 
 

Monday Moments - Robot Pour

 Here's your Monday moment from the All Star Saturday event.    Adam the Robot Bartender

Looked cool, but wasn't working. Maybe on strike?  Called in sick?   Gee, you just can't get good  help  these days. 

I didn't take a picture, but we watched a teen getting cotton candy from a machine.  Yep - stick in your credit card and you watch the sugar magic spinning on the stick.   Ding - ready to come out.  It  looked pretty  good.  He said it was sugarlicious!       $12  yes    twelve dollars from a machine.  (No tip required)

Oh, it's a crazy world.  Happy Monday. 

Finally Friday - John Stamos memoir

 John Stamos's memoir If You Would Have Told Me is an easy read and rather interesting. He's a celebrity star we've grown up with - from General Hospital soap opera teen idol star, to comedy on Full House, and drama on ER.   He's pushed boundaries on Broadway (the emcee in Cabaret!), and has musical chops - actually playing with the Beach Boys. 

He's had substance abuse issues, never thought he'd find true love, and fortunately had a strong family and good friends that were his rock. 

cover blurb - A universal story about friendship, love, loss, and the courage to embrace love once more, John Stamos's memoir is filled with some of the most memorable names in Hollywood, old and new. Funny, deeply poignant, and brutally honest, this book is a portrait of a boy who went  from believing  in Disney magic to a man who leans that we have to create our own magical moments in life. 

I enjoyed his story and he seems like a decent guy who's just damn good looking and is aging well. 

Whatever Wednesday - Trust Her by Flynn Berry

 Wow and whoa - aye, it's the Troubles again.  In Trust Her by Flynn Berry, we revisit Northern Irish sisters, Tessa and Marian.  They've been relocated from Belfast to Dublin under aliases.  Life is good with new jobs, kids, and just life. 

But the past resurfaces and danger looms.  What to do?  Search out an old handler, Eamonn, and try to convert him to an IRA informant.   ????  Is that a good idea and will it work? 

So many twists and turns in this book.  Flynn Berry can make  your stomach drop and your heart ache. 

We want the children to stay safe and the sisters to survive.  Quite the thriller and I truly did not know how this book would end. 

Whew!   Grand writing and a page turning finish.      Enjoy! 

Monday Moments - Salsa

 So - Salsa!!!

Did you think dancing?   Ha Ha Ha.   Part  of our wedding agreement 35 years ago involved a no dance policy.  Well, maybe one slow dance.... (yes, I like that)    But there is no choreography involved. 

Salsa in the Faries house means sauce for Tex-Mex.  Oh yeah!  And my sweetie Ray is awesome.  He spent an afternoon with daughter-in-law, Maria, and they created some kick-ass Salsa!

Ray said as they cooked it, the aroma was compelling.  He tasted and it smoldered. 

16 jars later....we have 8 pieces of precious concoction. 

Anyone care to join us for fajitas?   or chips and salsa on the patio?

C'mon!     Hey, even with one arm working, I can dip!

Finally Friday - Farewell for real, absolutely over

This is the absolute end of the story for 224 Oakland Place in PA

My brother mowed the yard and for the final time left on Saturday, July 20th.   Last Crowther leaving. 

Oh my heart.  62 years of my life here.   on the driveway - roller skating, biking, sledding, shoveling

on the lawn - wiffle ball, playing in a sprinkler, croquet

Big Sigh!

Closing was July 23rd.  I hope the new family has as much fun as we did.  I hope they settle in, meet neighbors, walk the block, rake leaves, and enjoy. 

End of an era folks.   A long  era. 

sniffle.........