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Just realized that I messed up on the link to the kinetic scultpture. Here it is...watch these wind driven machines; they are so fascinating and so beautiful in such a strange way. Theo Jansen talks about the combining of art and engineering in this clip.

Thomas and I got back from Tai Chi Legacy Sunday night. We were tired, but inspired. I managed to get 2nd place in empty hand, but was lucky to get it. I tied for 3rd in saber, but when they went out to more decimal points, I was the loser. I think I was 4th in straight sword, too. I really had an off day, but even if I'd given my best performances, they wouldn't have been good enough...especially in straight sword where Stella and Vivian were so far above the rest of the field.

Truthfully, I can't see me ever getting to the quality of Stella and Vivian, but I know I can improve-- and watching the best inspires the willingness to put in more practice and intention. They got gold and silver in the Grand Championship category; I'm not sure who got what, but they are both a joy to watch.

Thomas and I were competing for the first time in two years, and we realized that competing for a score is such good practice. Lots more stress involved in performing a routine for competition and practice performing for 5 judges per category helps, too.

However, Ellen, Sam, Craig, and Joe all did excellent jobs in Tai Chi, garnering some golds (not sure how many) in Tai Chi forms and push hands, and this was the first time for all of them. I think Gaby got a third in Kung fu competition, but I never saw her or Michelle again after we warmed up.

Someone from the computer place called today and said my computer had some software that was functioning improperly. Hopefully, they will have it all fixed soon so I can get back to all my programs, links, etc.

Wind, engineering, kinetic sculpture., and more

I found this link over at Endicott Redux. Wonderful!

"Hey, Look at Me" pins are a great idea. Thanks, Finn (Quilting with Ragdolls)!

I have almost completed two projects (will post pictures as soon as I'm able) and am reasonably happy with them. Now to begin working on all of those WIP projects that have been abandoned!

Well, I will after this weekend. I'm off to Dallas tomorrow for Tai Chi Legacy. Hope to have pictures to post (when I can) of some of the competitors from our school when I return.

Tasty Recipe

I want to share a recently discovered, delicious, simple (remember who's talking, I'm incapable of anything too complicated) and quick recipe with you. I fixed it again last night. Last time I made it, Fee went out of town the next day, and I had it for lunch and dinner for days--and loved it each time. The fresh green beans and fresh grated parmigian are too delicious!


You will definitely have leftovers if you make the full recipe, but do try Mini Penne with Chicken, Green Beans, and Walnuts. Again, this recipe makes so much, you either need to have guests to help you eat it, love leftovers, or cut the recipe.


I was using the recipes on the boxes of Barilla's pasta, when suddenly, the boxes became recipeless! Panic! I was enjoying trying various pastas and the new recipes, but never fear, Barilla has a site full of their delicious recipes. The Mini Penne is one of our favorites.


Tai Chi Legacy is coming up next weekend, so I've been practicing more and more. Not as much as I should, but more. Have been meeting Thomas and Nina in the park when I can, and we time the routines and critique each other. Year before last, Thomas and I competed in Orlando, New Orleans, and Dallas at various tournaments (New Orleans just months before Katrina--it was so much fun, and now, such a nostalgic memory). Last year neither of us were able to make any tournaments, and this year, only Tai Chi Legacy. So far. I look forward to seeing people from all over that we only see at tournaments, to watching the Masters' Demo, and to seeing the little ones from Houston's Buddhist Temple.

Stepford Wife

I've been a pretty sorry blogger lately. Have gotten out of the habit and wonder how I ever had anything to say when I was posting almost every day! I miss it, though. My book blog continues because I continue to read, but quilting hasn't been progressing much, so there isn't much to say on that front.



Since I've been on the thyroid medication, I've felt better, but sometimes wonder if I'm the same person. I've been keeping my house clean and cooking. Cooking! You hear that, Rian? What an absolutely stunning development; poor Fee is caught between looking at me suspiciously and being pathetically grateful. He calls and asks if I need anything from the grocery store and, because I usually manage to forget an ingredient at the grocery store, or think I have plenty of pasta or green onions or whatever, I can appreciate his concern. Hell, I even made zucchini bread yesterday. Desert, too?! What's up with the Stepford Wife? Well, hardly that, I suppose, but closer than I've ever been.


I haven't discovered how to load pictures on this little laptop I'm using, and posting pictures is such a large part of blogging, isn't it? I only intended to use it for a short while, but I still haven't gotten around to taking my poor computer in for a checkup, diagnosis, and whatever treatment is required.


On the wonderful side of life, Amelia and Chris will be having a little girl in December. They just found out on Tuesday that it will be a girl, but they've already chosen a name: Bryce Eleanor Chandler. The Eleanor is in honor of my mother, Amelia's grandmother, and I really can't express how touched I am that they've chosen to honor her this way.