Launi

August 5, 2010May 31, 2026

The Parakeet Who Was.

When I was a rolly, polly, rubber-doll of a baby, we had this parakeet named Percy. From what I’ve heard he was a friendly sort and let even the scariest of creatures hold him–as shone above. Apparently, we kids could just walk around with a stick or pencil for him to perch on and he’d just sit there like his life was in no way being threatened by the 100 ft. baby.

Yikes.

The story goes, that 1-1/2 seconds after this picture was snapped those sweet, dimply baby paws grabbed up that poor unsuspecting birdy and gave him the toddler version of a one handed bear hug. My mama had to pry him from my grasp before he became “The Parakeet Who Was.”

Fear not. He lived.

Didn’t particularly care for baby-face Nelson any more…but he lived.

I swear. I can prove it.

You see, he went on to star in several family Christmas cards before finally passing on to the big Animal Kingdom in the sky…of causes completely unrelated to the baby grip of death.

But he always liked my big brother the best.

No earthly idea why.

heh.

August 4, 2010May 31, 2026

Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a pretty little Italian appetizer that whips together in about 5 minutes tops and tastes all marvelous and fancy like you’re channeling Julia Child or something. And it’s quite likely you have the ingredients right there in your kitchen this very minute.

Lucky you.

As you eat this…

close your eyes and pretend you are in a beautiful Italian villa with someone you love…

who is very handsome.

Works for me.

Ingredients:

1 baguette French bread, sliced

1/4 cup olive oil

——–
5 or 6 ripe Roma tomatoes diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-1/2 tsp. dried, minced onion

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped–or 1/4 tsp dried Basil instead

3/4 cup Mozzarella cheese, diced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Brush baguette slices with olive oil and toast in the oven on 350 for about 6-8 minutes. Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients gently, in a small bowl. Let sit for a few minutes. Serve on toasted bread.

Bruschetta

: Launi

Ingredients

1 baguette French bread, sliced
¼ cup olive oil
--------
5 or 6 ripe Roma tomatoes diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 tsp. dried, minced onion
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped--or ¼ tsp dried Basil instead
¾ cup Mozzarella cheese, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Brush baguette slices with olive oil and toast in the oven on 350 for about 6-8 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients gently, in a small bowl.
Let sit for a few minutes.
Serve on toasted bread.

August 3, 2010August 13, 2022

Golden Afternoon

On Sunday afternoon a really peculiar thing happened.

So peculiar, in fact, that some of the braver folk came out…on the roof for a closer look.

The first thing that got our attention was that everything–everywhere– turned yellow–and that’s while we were still in the house.

When we came outside the whole sky was totally yellow…

no matter which way you turned.

Don’t you find that particularly odd?

I do.

One of the kids said, “Ok, this is really freaky…”

eerie even…

you know, like, the end of the world kinda stuff.”

But as you can see–we’re still here. No apocalypse. No Millennium. No end of the world…for now.

In fact, within minutes the yellow sky started to fade away altogether…

and promptly turned…

pink.

August 2, 2010August 13, 2022

In Celebration of Sisters

Today–in honor of National Sister Day–we’d like to take this time and space to recognize the sweet sisters in our world.

Ladies, here’s to you…

“How do people make it through life without a sister?”

~Sara Corpening

“If your sister is in a tearing hurry to go out and cannot catch your eye, she’s wearing your best sweater.”

~Pam Brown

“Sisters are different flowers from the same garden.”

~Author Unknown

“She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink…

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities.””

~Barbara Alpert

“If you don’t understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child.”

~Linda Sunshine

“My sister taught me everything I really need to know, and she was only in sixth grade at the time.”

~Linda Sunshine

“More than Santa Claus, your sister knows when you’ve been bad and good.”

Linda Sunshine

“What’s the good of news if you haven’t a sister to share it?”

~Jenny DeVries

“Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister?”

~Alice Walker

“It’s hard to be responsible, adult and sensible all the time. How good it is to have a sister whose heart is as young as your own.”

~Pam Brown

“You keep your past by having sisters. As you get older, they’re the only ones who don’t get bored if you talk about your memories.”

~Deborah Moggach

“The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend.”

~Cali Rae Turner

“A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.”

~Isadora James

“Of two sisters one is always the watcher, one the dancer.”

~Louise Glück

“A sister smiles when one tells one’s stories – for she knows where the decoration has been added.”

~Chris Montaigne

“Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.”

~Amy Li

“I smile because you are my sister, I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!”

— Author Unknown

“A sister shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams.”

~Author Unknown

“A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.”

~Marion C. Garretty

“Our roots say we’re sisters, our hearts say we’re friends.”

~Author Unknown

“Sisters share the scent and smells – the feel of a common childhood.”

~Pam Brown

“When mom and dad don’t understand, a sister always will.”

~Author Unknown

“Sisters touch your heart in ways no other could. Sisters share… their hopes, their fears, their love, everything they have. Real friendship springs from their special bonds.”
– Carrie Bagwell

“One’s sister is part of one’s essential self, an eternal presence of one’s heart, soul and memory.”
– Susan Cabil

“I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.”

Author unknown, attributed to a 4-year-old named Lauren

“To the outside world we all grow old. But not to…sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each others hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time.”

~Clara Ortega

Happy Sister’s Day!

August 1, 2010May 31, 2026