Uphill idealist

Rhinestones, tattoo inspired design, and trucker hats have made the designer Ed Hardy world famous. You can even find Ed Hardy merchandise in our mall in western NY. The designer has continued to grow his lifestyle brand into accessories and now the perfume industry. As I walked through Bon- Ton earlier this week, I picked up a colorful Ed Hardy Duffel Bag, and my daughter said, " I saw an church sign photo online that said: Ed Hardy shirts will be asked to leave. Your rhinestones are not welcome here." While the photo of this church sign is most likely a photoshopped image, it seems that the shift in street wear popularity is not limited to this church sign. While Ed Hardy designs have become more mainstream, his influence on the fashion design seems to be fading. A hip club called "Republic" in Chicago recently banned their patrons from wearing clothing designed by: Ed Hardy, Affliction and Christian Audigier . "... if you can wear it to work out or to pa...

Image from Fudge Graphics. The days of Summer 2010 were: Getting lost on a trail hike at a park... we got caught up in conversation that we passed our parking area. Watching my kids grow up even more. Shouting while running from bear, "Bear in yard - NOT KIDDING!" Playing music with friends Busker's style. Saying farewell to a dear friend: Patrick Moser Painting a big outdoor and indoor mural and making a new friends in the process. Laughing and teaching the kids at VBS. Getting really tan - for me. :) Finding a new home for Roxy and finding my new-to-me green machine. Knowing I can run to the top of that hill - and back. :) Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center Summer Camp sessions. Sharing my veggie share with my friends. Waldameer Park day. Sunrises Sunsets and dinners at Grandma's house after lawn work and swimming in the pool. What a lovely summer...

Image from PAUK: Temple of Possibilities Changes Psalm 119:102-105 102 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. There is a poem by Juan Ramon Jimenez called "Life" that reflects the shift in seasons and calls out to all the doors of possibility that open to each one of us in the midst of these changes. What I used to regard as a glory shut in my face, was a door, opening towards this clarity: Country without a name: Nothing can destroy it, this road of doors, opening, one after another, always toward reality; Life without calculation! It is our desire to work out, plan and work out all the details of life. We don't like surprises (unless they are presents) and change (unless they ar...