Goodbye Uncle Denny

I haven't written on my blog for some time for various reasons. The main reason was that my boss decided to take his life in a rather violent way last Monday. I can't even express how surreal it is to be pulled into a staff meeting for news like that. It just doesn't register at first and even today, I can't get my head around it. Dennis was a very complex man and my range of emotions for him went from thinking he was the greatest boss in the world to wanting to set fire to his farm, depending on what day you asked. Like all of us, he had lots of flaws but he also had many endearing qualities as well. He loved animals and had a farm full of pets with unique names. He had a horse named Chuck, a goat named Gaston, and a Saint Bernard named Ethel. Those are just a few I remember. He was also a terrific painter/illustrator (see denniswalston.com) and he definitely lived up to the eccentric ways of a serious artist. The thing I liked about him most was that you could go to him with your troubles and he would always try to help. He understood that it wasn't always easy to seperate work and your personal life and he would accomodate your needs. This is unusal in a world that prides itself on its productivity and squeezing a nickel out of anything possible. He did genuinely care about his employees. He didn't always make the right decisions and he had a knack for not taking responsibilty for things but he meant well most of the time. He was human, all too human it seems. He will be missed.

My Coffee Table On Any Given Day

Crazy Hot / Depeche Mode

SUNDAY, MAY 21-There is almost nothing else to say other than I finally had the best seats EVER at my favorite band's concert. I was 5 rows back from the stage. I could see Dave's expressions, the glistening sweat on his lean, ripped bod. I could see Martin's roots for god's sake! I was one happy camper. I was practically jumping up and down when I saw where my seats were. My sister's friend Emily, (aka new best friend, saint, my hero) bought us these awesome seats as a surprise. This was the best day of my life, not my wedding, not my divorce, not the days my cats were born (let me genuflect, quick) the day I saw Dave, Martin and Fletch from about 20 feet away. They played for 2 sweet hours, old songs, new songs...I just couldn't get enough. ; ] OK I will stop gushing like the nerd that I am.

Uruapan, Mexico

This picture was taken in front of a very old church in Uruapan, Mexico. It faced a large, busy plaza that was full of old men shining shoes, selling balloons, and fruit and confections on every corner. Uruapan is on first glance a very urban city not terribly different from cities here in the U.S. but there are layers. Looking through and discovering each one is part of the fun. We spent one night and half a day in Uruapan on my trip to Mexico in February. I looove Mexico!!!

A Whore for Love

27 Candles for Netty

Happy Birthday Noelle!!!!!

Knee Deep in Pollen and Lovin' It

This is the view from my apartment and this time of year it is spectacular. I wish I had a better camera to capture it. Anyone who is from the Washington area will probably tell you we all have a love/hate relationship with Spring. There is nothing like the beauty of the Dogwoods, Cherry Blossoms, Daffidols, Tulips, and the near arrival of the Azaleas. Washington springs are worth living for. Now for the hate part. Just the other day I purchased my family pak size of saline spray for my nose to clean out my sinuses and keep them moist and irritant free. I sneeze 6-10 times a day, my car is officially chartreuse as opposed to black from the layer of pollen that isn't even worth fighting until June. I am always on the brink of headache that doesn't quite settle in and it makes me &*^#$%@ tired all the time. But it's beautiful, so I will break out the humidifier, spray saline up my nose, pop my Claritan and enjoy the view.