The thought of Ireland haunts me

Posted on February 22, 2015 by simplygiselle

I was inspired today by Lisa at Sunshine Travels and the daily post, to write about that one place I would love to go before it is too late. That place for me is Ireland. I can’t explain why. All of these years when the name ‘Ireland’ gets mentioned there is a sadness in my heart, a deep sadness inside that feels like… like I miss home and I can’t go back.

I envision it to be a very simple romantic place. The mist along the hundred-shades-of-green rolling hills, the smell of peat that lingers in your mind like your favorite men’s cologne, being surrounded by ghosts of a thousand years past, singing sad songs while having a pint in the local pub, and of course… the far off wail of the forlorn pipes….that is how I see Ireland. Maybe I have just seen too many movies…maybe it will not live up to my dreams, but there is only one way to find out.

(image: NationalGeographic.com)

Reposted in answer to the daily prompt: Tourist Trap, What’s your dream tourist destination — either a place you’ve been and loved, or a place you’d love to visit? What about it speaks to you?

Conversation hearts with a twist

Posted on February 13, 2015 by simplygiselle

This is just a joke, not male bashing. Take a deep breath and laugh, it’s funny.

As an educational side note:

History of Sweethearts®

Sweethearts® share a storied history with our legendary New England Confectionery Company- NECCO® Wafers , which isn’t surprising since their inventors share a bloodline. Daniel Chase created the first conversation hearts in 1866 by devising a machine that would press food dye letters onto the candy lozenges made famous by his brother and NECCO® founder Oliver Chase.

NECCO (New England Confectionery Company) is the oldest continuously operating candy company in the United States. It was founded in 1847 when Oliver Chase invented the first American candy machine. NECCO produces its entire assortment of candy at the company’s headquarters in Revere, MA. Popular brands include: the beloved NECCO Wafers, the Valentine’s Day staple Sweethearts, and other iconic brands such as the Clark Bar, Sky Bar, Canada Mints, Candy Buttons, Mary Jane, and Haviland Thin Mints.

(photo found via Comedy103.1 site/origin unknown)

The thought of Ireland haunts me

Posted on February 12, 2015 by simplygiselle

(image: NationalGeographic.com)

Artsy-fartsy I am not

Posted on January 28, 2015 by simplygiselle

I have never been able to comfortably embrace my artistic side; plain and simply I have none.

My mother was a brilliant artist in the true sense of the word. She could dance, sing (although she more often than not forgot the words which was always the joke between the family), played the piano (self taught), and kicked butt playing tennis against any single or doubles team that dare take her on… but her piece de résistance would easily be her painting. Pastels, charcoal, and rice paper, nothing caused a bump in her ability to capture the moment. Some day I will post her painting to share with the world and have her legacy live on forever but right now this is about me….

I am the last in the line of boys, and being the only other female in the family, her immense talent is a lot to aspire to. There should be some mom-daughter connection no?

Early on I learned I did not have the talent, nor did I have the patience. I have all of my father’s analytical genes (and also am my own worst critic). The highly organized (put it back where you found it and how you found it so you can find it again next time), the strict control of time (we don’t have time to stop we have a schedule to keep) and the deductive reasoning (if its not the air filter, the sparks or the timing, it is probably a gunky gas filter)… all very useful and practical in the world so I am not knocking it.

So why is it I still strive to be artsy-fartsy like my mom? I have taken to using a Groupon for ‘fun’ artistic afternoons with my daughter and do something different (none of this bowling or mini golf crap). The use of quotation in the word -fun- is there because I typically stress out more trying to complete the task rather than enjoy it’s process. Don’t get me wrong, it does not take away from the time spent with my daughter. We still laugh and crack jokes even if we are the only ones laughing, but the pressure to make it perfect, to get what I see in my head out through my hands, is close to impossible and extremely-extremely frustrating (did I mention it is extreme?!)

So the birch trees you see are another attempt at my striving to bond with my mother. After all, don’t we secretly wish that our children will take something special from us and pass it along to future generations? Maybe that is it; I disappointed her in that sense and am still striving to keep a piece of her alive while failing miserably. (Hmm Fraud where are you now?)

I am sure it will not be the last time but sooner or later I will get the hint; I am just not artsy-fartsy.

Springtime on our minds

Posted on December 2, 2014 by simplygiselle

Although officially the first day of winter occured just yesterday, here in New England we are anxiously awaiting the first days of spring and thoughts of warmer days, the smell of damp dirt, and the pop of color, that will come just when we think Mother Nature has abandon us. Enjoy these flowers from my father’s garden and think of the sunshine washing over your face….

The Perfect Wave

Posted on November 20, 2014 by simplygiselle

A loaded question today as I start to sip my second cup of coffee on a 20 degree F morning . I have to say it completely depends on the time of year and if I won the lottery. Let’s just say for conversation sake, I did not win the lottery and it is midsummer.

My perfect day off would include sleeping in by just an hour and then load up the Mini and head to the beach. I like to leave early (to the dismay of my daughter or friends that accompany me) but I getting the perfect place on the sand is essential! You will find me up against the sea grass to limit the unruly beachgoers that don’t pick up their feet and kick sand all over the blanket and ultimately in my head and face. Once the perfect spot has been claimed in the name of Her Majesty Giselle, the blanket comes out (using shoes, the cooler and other objects to weigh down the corners), the chairs are set up (and slightly spread out to keep the late arrivals at a safe distance), the book is dropped onto the blanket, and the lathering of the suntan lotion shall commence.

For the next few hours before the beach gets overrun, it is all about relaxing… listening to the waves crash on the shore, watching the toddlers run in and out of the water laughing and clapping so hard they look as though they would explode from happiness, sizing up the college kids skipping a summer course or playing hooky from their summer job at the coffee shop or restaurant (hmmm you don’t look sick…), laughing at the people who put too much faith in nature and leave their chips out for just a moment to grab a drink while a bold seagull does a ‘fly by’ grabbing a free snack and fending off other gulls at the same time, and lastly letting the warm sunshine wash over me.

It’s always a beautiful day at the beach. No stress of work, no phones ringing, no emails to answer and the only surfing to take place is by the young men and women looking for the perfect wave.

Seals off the Cape

In response to today’s Daily Prompt question:

Sparkling or Still

What’s your idea of a perfect day off: one during which you can quietly relax, doing nothing, or one with one fun activity lined up after the other? Tell us how you’d spend your time.