This past weekend's excursion to Napa Valley, San Francisco, and Carmel far surpassed my expectations. My husband, Justin, and I set out to make the most of a long weekend and packed two days full of fun. The first stop was Vallejo, California for the Pirate's Festival.     Camera's slung around our necks, we delighted in capturing unique people and images.      Next, we …
Being at Peace with your Purposes
We live in a culture driven by the desire for success as calculated by popularity and wealth. These messages form our value systems as they stream through television and computer screens. While some climb up to the top of the dog pile and wave the flag of success, most people labor in jobs they hate …
Will Dance for Comments Part II
I did it..went back for some more! Yesterday's dance rehearsal pleasantly surprised me going better than expected. As fellow blogger Slam Dunks so poetically put it, I was "able to crush a few of those mental monsters lingering around."          I thought about this creative quip while ascending the stairs of the Cedar Street Performing Academy.          …
The Ironic Side of Destiny
I cannot stop thinking about the strange and mysterious nature of destiny. I often envision something years before its fulfillment. Then I push and strive to make it materialize. Unfortunately, my grasping seems to only go so far before it ends up in disappointment. I go for the cake and end up gnawing on the wax candle. Once …
“Poor Me Pie!” Another recipe to live by…
How about another recipe? This one is for all of us who are feeling sorry for ourselves for whatever reason; however, I especially dedicate it to all of us educators bracing for pay cuts.       Before you read any further, here is a disclaimer included in the first recipe post: All recipes must be read with a southern drawl …
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Will Dance for Comments!
JoDee Luna: Performing arts coward. Needs reason to dance other than fulfilling her dreams. Terrified of public stages but will dance for blog comments. Due to appear on her birthday in a jazz/swing number at the Cedar Street Theatre. Only supportive friends and family welcome (or total strangers I will never see again).   Pathetic, I know, but there it …
Book Review: Writing Life Stories by Bill Roorbach
Have you ever written something you thought was profound but later realized it screamed amateur? I have, thirty years worth to be exact. My current reading includes Writing Life Stories by Bill Roorbach with Kristen Keckler, PhD. The magnificence of this book leaves me speechless (but I'm a writer so...). The tagline only describes a portion …
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The Blogger’s High
Have you ever wondered why we bloggers spend countless hours writing, photo editing, posting, and commenting? I have. Blogging is self-expression and inspiration at its best; an enjoyable banquet of giving and receiving. This blogging has definitely become an addiction for me and I'm not ashamed to admit this dirty little secret! How can I …
Codependent Cake
What if all of life's oddities and perplexities could be processed through making pies, cakes, and other delectable treats? After watching "The Waitress," starring Kari Russell, my husband, best friend, and I started creating our own "Recipes for Living."Â Â This romantic comedy features an unhappy waitress from the "deep South" who processes her pain through …
JoDee Luna Art 