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"Recognize that everything is art." -Author Alan Heathcock (Esalen Institute, Big Sur)
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| Did you have to look twice to see the pigeon? I love how it appears to have proudly settled atop of this fountain. |
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My favorite Chico sight - water play in the downtown plaza.
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"Surrender to your own mediocrity." - Cheryl Strayed
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Very, very sadly, we lost a member of our blog family, Tina Downey, this weekend. I regret that I hardly knew Tina. We corresponded only a couple of times, commiserating about our respective struggles with depression. Tina recently messaged me to apologize for a delay in accepting my facebook friend request. I hadn't even noticed a delay. She explained that my name was similar to someone she had good reason to avoid, and we joked about a need to set clear boundaries with certain people. Tina was incredibly sweet and selfless. I had no idea she was contending with health problems, much less very serious ones. She wasn't one to ever complain. Her blog title, Life is Good, was clearly Tina's genuine philosophy.
Our thoughts, love and prayers are with Tina's family. To those of you who were close to Tina too, I'm deeply sorry for your heartbreak.
Her spirit lives on vibrantly, lovingly, and in every blossoming sunflower.
Tina will be missed. I only knew her for a year, but she had made a mark on my life. Just like she did with everyone.
ReplyDeleteLove your snapshots, and your quotes.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to all those who loved Tina.
Wonderful quotes, especially the first one. I did have to look a second time to see that the seagull was not part of the sculpture. I didn't know Tina well either, but enough to feel sad.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the passing of Tina. We really do become a family in the blogging world don't we?
ReplyDeleteI got to know Tina over the past 2 years and we emailed so much that I forgot I never met her in person. I am utterly devastated by her passing.
ReplyDeleteThat last line for Tina is wonderful, Robyn. So was Tina. I am going to miss her so much.
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute to Tina Robyn. I am still in shock about her death and will miss her greatly.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute to Tina.
ReplyDeleteYour second shot is gorgeous.
Now the sunflowers will have a special meaning for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, there is art everywhere, we just need to keep our eyes open.
I thought the pigeon was part of the statue for a second. Great tribute too.
ReplyDeletePS I sent you a FB friend request!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know her, but it's a lovely eulogy. I'll pass on the Elk and take the vegetarian fare on the left!
ReplyDeleteI love those hand-drawn roadside signs. On our way back and forth from Virginia this weekend, we saw quite a few. One in particular made me giggle. When Mrs. Penwasser asked what I thought was so funny, I replied that I saw a sign which said in hand-painted letters, "HARD CRABS!" When she asked why that was funny, I replied that I wanted to take a picture and put it on Facebook with the caption, "Well, of COURSE! You should see the show the lady crabs put on."
ReplyDeleteShe didn't think that was funny.
She doesn't share my sense of humor.
Then again, we've been married 28 years.
So, I guess you could say the joke's on her.
I was heartbroken to hear about this. She'd lived near us so we'd always traded comments about meeting up some time and either grabbing a beer or touring a brewery. I think she came to visit us on the night of her passing to have that drink with us, and thinking about it both warms my heart and brings a tear to my eye.
ReplyDeleteTina seems to have touched everyone's soul. I did not have the honour of knowing her but reading what people have written tells me a new star is in the sky. I love your pictures and the quotes as well
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, Robyn. I'm sorry to hear about your blog friend.
ReplyDeleteI only recently got to know her, but am so lucky that I did. Funny how people we've never shaken hands with can get so close to our hearts. Sad day indeed.
ReplyDeleteI love you all.
ReplyDeleteThat is all.
Smiles.
xoRobyn
Al P., you could say that. But I find the "HARD CRABS!" sign and your comment very funny. I'd add: Get them before they go flaccid.
ReplyDeletexo
neat post and a nice salute to Tina Downey. The blog world can be large and yet small too. She was always so positive and life was good. Take care.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know her, sounds like I missed out. My condolences to all. That said, I'm not much on jerky- now a STEAK sounds pretty good about now...
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about Tina. I didn't know her, but we are all one big family in the blogging world, and it's sad when there is a loss. Lovely post, Robyn.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Tina but she must have been special to have elicited such a response from people.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures and quotes!! They added a bright spot to my day. :) I didn't know Tina, but that is horrible. Prayers to her family and loved ones.
ReplyDeleteNice photographs.
ReplyDeleteArt really is everywhere if you just open your eyes and have a good look.
ReplyDeleteI regret I didn't know Tina. I am sure she will be deeply missed though.
Thank you, friends.
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd known Tina better. Having read more about her, I see she was generous beyond words. Yes, it feels like we're one big family.
Have a peaceful week.
Love you all.
xoRobyn
I'm also sorry about Tina, and wish I'd known her better. She clearly touched so many bloggers' lives. This is a touching tribute to her.
ReplyDeleteJulie
I love those snapshots, they make me smile, especially the kids playing in the water.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that a blog family member passed away. I wish I had discovered her blog earlier, she sounds like an amazing person.
Great photos and quotes, and a beautiful tribute.
ReplyDeletevery kinds works robyn. i am sure she appreciated you as a friend. cheers!!
ReplyDeleteHere here. Robyn, that was beautiful. Love the pictures, love your concluding words more.
ReplyDeleteAnother sign that I saw on Virginia's Eastern Shore...I swear I am NOT making this up!
ReplyDeleteIt was at a place called "Spirit" gas (whatever that is). Just below "Spirit" was another sign which said, "We Pump It For You."
Mrs. Penwasser didn't appreciate my comment, "Well, that's Southern hospitality for you."
I so wish she let me take a picture.
Al P., how long are the hoses? What's the address of Spirit gas?
ReplyDeleteI love you all.
Take gentle care.
xoRobyn
A lovely tribute. Sad to hear of her passing.
ReplyDeleteVery nice shots too and appropriate quotes.
xo