Encyclopedia of Moi: D

Time for the Encyclopedia of Moi again 

~ this time with the letter

Dad - My dad is a huge inspiration and I feel so fortunate to be his daughter.  He is almost 89 years old but looks and acts much younger.  His secret?  Exercise!  When he was in his early 50's he started running -- this was back when it was just becoming popular to run 5K's, and 10K's.  He quickly moved on to marathons and completed many, with a showcase of trophies for his age group to prove it. When running began taking a toll on his knees, he switched to bicycling.  He has ridden coast-to-coast (at the age of 80) and still goes for 10-20 mile rides 4 times per week.  When asked what he was doing for his upcoming birthday, he said he was thinking of going out and buying a new bike.  Now how many 89 year olds do you know that are doing THAT for their brithday?

 Dad rafting down the Colorado River!

Dogs - I grew up with dogs and currently have two sweetiepies -- both were rescued from the animal shelter.  Six year old "Chaucer" is a poet at heart, like his namesake.  He's shy and quiet, with such a gentle soul. "Uncle Frosty" is eight years old and the happiest dog on earth.  Tail always wagging, slobbery kisses if you let him up on your lap. 

Dreams - Aren't dreams fascinating?  Hot topic in our family.  Every once in awhile I will have a dream that awakens me with an epiphany.  This morning I woke from a dream with the words ringing in my ears, "It's not what you DO, it's who you ARE inside that matters."  Besides trying to analyze the many vivid dreams I have in my sleep, I'm a believer in having the other kind of dreams and goals to keep us progressing and hopeful through life.

Dusk - My favorite time of day.  There is just something magical about the feel of the still air, the blue sky giving way to darker hues and street lights and kitchen windows casting their first yellow glows of the evening.  I snapped this photo out a window in downtown Santa Cruz during a concert intermission.... 

Disney - What incredible imagination Walt Disney possessed!  Disneyland was a big part of my life --not only as I grew up in Southern California but also when I had my own children.  We still make regular visits to Disneyland.  Besides the theme park, Disney movies have had an impact on us!  

My kids were fortunate enough to grow up during the Disney animated remakes of the famous stories of "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "Tarzan," "Lion King," "Pocahontas" and all the fabulous music that went into those flicks.  You might hear us break into song around the house:  "Be our guest, be our guest, put our service to the test..." or "Make way for Prince Ali!"  And "Dumbo" still makes me want to cry:  Baby of Mine 

Hakuna Matata!