30. June 2009 by Khizmet.

I love roses, despite their fussiness.  (Yes I have to constantly pluck worms and funky looking leaves off of them, if you have helpful tips, please send along)
I have 7 rose bushes, 4 of which I have posted pictures for your viewing pleasure.

This is Chicago Peace, above is the bud and below is the open flower 2 days later?

I particularly like this Stripey one called Rainbow Niagara. Above is the bud and below the open flower (next day) this one can get alot more stripey…not sure why this one is light on stripes.

This Lavender one has a really beautiful scent. “Blue Moon” hybrid tea rose.

And the last bud of the day is “Solitude”.  I should have a photo of it open tomorrow or the next day.

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29. June 2009 by Khizmet.

ARRRR…they be fine garage sales in these waters….preparing ahead for the Royal Medieval Faire, a lass can never have 2 many weapons at hand…. cast your eyes upon these fine instruments of battle….a handsome price I paid that scallywag.

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28. June 2009 by Khizmet.

  Saturday June 27th, what a beautiful hot and sunny day…a perfect day for a dance performance.

Sonia, Faith, Rebecca, me, Catherine and Donna dancing to Hakim

Andria, Rhaehana, Michelle, Jenn with their first number
(Corinna hiding behind Jenn and Faith just out of  the  shot…. DOH!)

Donna, Catherine, Sonia, Rebecca, Faith and me dancing with Shamadans

Corinna, Rhaehana and Jenn swishing skirts

Me with poi, Rebecca with hoop, Donna with poi

This event was organized by the Silverheights Neighbourhood Association, and was a day of family fun and activites ending with a very impressive fireworks display at the end of the evening.

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26. June 2009 by Khizmet.

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26. June 2009 by Khizmet.

After I had washed down my plum tree, I noticed that my cherry tree was covered in these beasties! lady bug larvae….I spent some time transferring these little guys over to the plum (because there are still plenty of aphids on it)

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25. June 2009 by Khizmet.

busy week so far

Troupe rehearsal!  woo hoo! Dancing on grass is not easy…especially my lumpy lawn!
Khizmet and Karma & Rhaehana and Bella Luna will be dancing at the:
 Silverheights Neighbourhood Association 2nd Annual family fun day!
 We will start the show with  our little Hakim pop number and drum solo, then Rhaehana and Bella Luna will dance their classic piece and drum solo, followed by our “groovy” Shamadan (Candelabra on our heads),

then they will dance a “gypsy skirt” dance, next Donna, Rebecca and I will do some glow poi/ glow hoop.

Tennis… 30 C makes for a very sloth-like “slammy” <my tennis and juggling nickname)
ARRRR! my team is at the bottom of the standings (does that mean we are kneeling?)….I fear some of my Maties may jump ship…they be keel-hauled before they do….( just practicing my Pirate-speak for international “talk like a pirate day”….Sept 19th 2009)

…..doggie classes….I thought I had it figured out….I am so wrong…. my Turbie failed his last attempt at grade 3 because he is reactive… when he sees another dog he tends to take an aggressive stance…staring and then wants to get to the dog and it always ends in barking and growling…the task for me is to anticipate this behaviour and never let it get to the staring stage…. the second he looks away from me I’m supposed to get his attention back to me….we also have a big task working on his emotional control.
    The last few times in the park (a good place for distraction) he was stellar…I’m trying to wean him off treat rewards and the goal is to try to make myself way more interesting than other things.  He loves his toys…especially basketballs….he’s popped a few already…but a basketball is too big to take into class so I have a conventional “tuggie”.
   Arriving at class, I whipped out the tuggie, but alas he didn’t seem remotely interested…so I reverted to my habit, which is treat reward…about 40 minutes in….he was really losing focus…and so was I… we were both sweaty and irritated…and I forgot all about trying tuggie again….we had 2 barky blow outs….both totally my fault…and on the ride home, Alfie trying to console me because  98% of the class he was an awesome little guy, but those 2 barky moments were all I could think about and really upset at myself…. I feel like I’m failing my Turbie again….

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25. June 2009 by Khizmet.

Whew! that sunshine sure is nice! My garden is looking pretty good….. the flower of the day…Osteospermum….one of my new favorites…this morning I discovered that my plum tree is covered in aphids!   soapy water… do your thing!!

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22. June 2009 by Khizmet.

More of a T.V. show review than a movie….  (warning…spoilers) with great anticipation I watched Merlin, NBC’s new series.  The first episode was ok, the evil witch was evil enough….I wish they had 2 different people playing the old/young role for her…the makeup looked… like makeup… they aired the next episode in the very next hour…..second episode disappointing in that the second snake bite was frustratingly predictable…and then when Merlin ran down to the tournament area to reveal Knight Valiant as dastardly……he waited entirely too long, risking Authur’s life and limb before he decided to chant his incantation….I couldn’t help but yell at Merlin…”what are you waiting for!!” …..it was a little emotional for me….
 I LOVE ARTHURIAN LEGEND but overall I’m not sure if there is a character that is intriguing enough to hook me in and watch the remainder of the series…. ……whazzahp wid dat?

 now for the flower of the day: fuschia

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21. June 2009 by Khizmet.

Saturday morning garage saling….yesterday we were out and about treasure hunting and a very interesting “tack” sale in Ayr enticed us South…..well since it was a drizzly day the garage sale was postponed…but even more fateful was that the Fresh Ayr Festival was on…..we wandered about the grounds and …..came upon one of my favourite Cambridge potters…(Janet Douma) and  belly dancers! A delightful group of women from, I believe, more the woodstock area?  I spoke mostly with Kim (Belly dancing and beyond is the vendor name listed in my program) who explained that she studies with Sahar from Stratford.  They were lucky enough to be able to dance in a covered area so as not to get their lovely costumes wet….what a wonderful range of ages and skill levels… there were a few young girls…I’m bad at guessing ages….but I would guess about 7 to 10 yrs old?..dancing alongside the women of the group.  I wish I had thought to bring  a camera… not even my phone did I think to bring along….argh!  a few highlights for me during their performance was a quite intricate drum solo performed by 3 of the beautiful dancers…..but I also noticed how nice their 3/4 shimmes were on the advanced dancers of the group.  It was noticeable that choreography memorization is one of the areas that they need to work on….(who doesn’t need to work on that sheesh!) and gosh darn it….smiling is one of the hardest things to remember for less expereinced dancers…and I’m sure as they perform more they will grow into their performing personas.

    Also very lucky to chance upon…was a performance by Alannah Mason.  I have heard of her being in the community but had not met her yet.  I was very excited to introduce myself and chat a bit before her set.  Her first song was a spanish song being very soulfully played by Zorba, a local group consisting of 2 guitars and a drummer (who played a Djembe and Conga), she danced with veil for the first song…and in shoes! (I bow down to anyone who can dance in shoes…I cannot!)

  Off came the shoes and she got down to business with an all percussion set (to Cd).  She had a really pretty green and gold costume, with a matching tie dye veil).  She has really nice stage presence with a very relaxed smile.  I’m pretty sure she improvised the set.  A delightful moment was when she invited a few of the kids/teenagers to come up and try some of the moves with her….they were having a blast.  Also fun was she invited me up for a shake too! We synchronized for some moves and took turns leading and following…  Her moves were clean and clear and she had a nice relaxed dance style.  Her arm stylings were also very nice…she was always aware of her arms and hands..right down to the fingertips.  
  The only 2 things I would have liked to have seen more of were ;
….a variety of songs…It’s super hard to try to dance to percussion for a complete show….it would have been nice to see some taqsim..it would also provide a nice breather. (the humidity must have been a killer yesterday!)
…. an expanded repetiore of moves… I’d love to see her 3/4 shimmy…I’m sure it would be awesome… she’s in great shape and her hip action would rock a 3/4 shimmy.

I didn’t get contact info from either of them (Kim and Alannah)….I hope they visit my site and send me an e-mail asap!!!

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17. June 2009 by Khizmet.

I love rain.  I’m pretty sure it’s the farmer in me…no one is happy when they are thirsty.
My plants have been looking pretty good despite getting started late.  This particular planter is ravishing…I think I finally have put enough plant material in my planters to make them look decent.  The wonderful cage is a garage sale find!

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