While searching for something else, I found a cache of old pictures. Some I'd scanned years ago, but the quality was poor, compared to what I can achieve now, and some were welcome remembrances of old days spent in the lovely Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum. Monday, October 17, 2005
"Nice to Remember"
6:53pm
So the picture of Laura in her renaissance gown is renewed, showing more natural colors and a less distracting background. Also, the pic of the aloe vera we enjoyed when we lived in Casa Grande is larger and clearer.
I placed a new picture in the arboretum gallery, as well:
And here is one of Laura in the arboretum, wearing the blouse she loved so much with the billowy sleeves. I made that one, and others like it, according to her design specifications. It is nice to remember those lovely walks together in nature's beauty: 
Today is Julia's birthday, and we celebrated very well! We dined fine:We split an appetizer of crab and salmon cakes over greens with spicy Thai peanut sauce. We each had our own asian slaw with soy-ginger dressing over spring greens. Then we split the entreé of grilled swordfish with rice cake, some veggies and a coulis sauce that was slightly sweet and just set everything off to perfection. We each chose our own desserts. I picked the three layer mousse, with decadent dark, milk and white chocolate mousse. Julia had tiramisu. A splendid meal, worthy of the celebration.
I am so glad to have Julia in my life. We really are a good pair, having enough interests in common to be comfortably compatible, and enough different to add spice.
I recently heard from a reader who'd been reading in my old archives. He told me all about the 'Australian Bearded Dragon', and of course, I had to Google. Having found a decent photo of the lizard, I 'heard' him saying, as in those 'art instruction' ads, "Draw Me!"Which I did, of course:
You may wonder, if he is an Australian lizard, why is there an American Saguaro cactus in the distance? I simply claim, Artistic license! I felt like one needed to be there! No reason why the Aussie couldn't be a traveller in foreign parts.Forward...
Back in May, 2003, it seemed as if I'd left the world of my fictional vampires behind. Michael, Gwen and Sebastian seemed forgotten. Oh, I still see Sebastian's grinning portrait up above my computer, but since then I hadn't visited their world in ages. Thursday, October 20, 2005
"Vampire Dream"
6:53pm
But this morning, with a dream, I was back in Michael's world. It began, and I was a senior in high school again. Those halls came again to color and dimensionality. I had a very special friend, who visited me on my turf. But, oh, he came from a world far away from mine. He came from a time beyond mine, as well. His porcelain pale skin and short frame belied a fierce strength. His sharp fang teeth fascinated me. His skin that evinced no heat still felt gentle when he pressed his lips towards mine . . .
. . . there is a shift of dimensions. "I" was not in her body anymore. I was in Michael's, as I was giving her the passionate kiss. It was so sweet, she was so sweet, so innocent, so full of young trust. How had I met her? At night I came out to hunt in the human camps, looking for stragglers out at the edges, and saw a young woman there who reminded me of someone I loved many years ago. She was fascinated with me, and a new love was growing. I was going to do all I could to ensure that it continue growing.
But trouble was brewing. My unusual appearance had attracted the attention of a young buck, who thought he could best me. Certainly, he might think that. He was nearly a foot taller, and very muscular and tanned. I had a surprise in store for him. I pinned him easily, and laughed as I told him, "I have been a long time on this earth, and have had much experience in the Hunt. Why did you think you could best me? I will satisfy some of my needs on you. No, I will not satisfy all of my needs, I'll leave you still living. But for this insolence, I will take a good bite." It felt so real, the sensory aspects of biting and drinking some, then pulling back while the hunger is demanding, being master of the hunger . . .
. . . It all felt so real. And then I woke up. I am glad for this short while of dreaming to have this character which I have so enjoyed come again to life.
Perhaps part of the reason is 'the season'. Earlier, I read of a Dracula's Ball being held here in town, in which you are to come as your favorite vampire. Of course, the fascination with the mythical archetype has never ceased with me. To make of 'the beast' with his terrible hungers a beautiful character, full of sensitivity, sensuality and awareness fascinates me.
© Joan Lansberry
