These Pumps Were Made For Walking

...and running, and jumping - even choreographed fight sequences.

...but i guess i'm getting ahead of myself.

I've been meaning to introduce these marvelous shoes since New Year's.


Anyone who knows me, knows that i am most comfortable in flip-flops, tennis shoes or work boots. ;)

I rarely wear heels or pumps; and as my injuries turned into decade-long issues, i had basically stopped buying any that were not very comfortable on my bony feet. So you could say i've been in a bit of a chic footwear "drought".


Like a breath of fresh air, er, Clove & Cinnamon... the Brazilian shoe brand Cravo & Canela breezed into my life. They are the most comfortable pumps & heels i've ever worn.

I could walk a mile in these shoes - and more. I even have visions of doing the kind of stunts that Lynda Carter did in Wonder Woman, in those 3 to sometimes 5-inch heeled boots. (It was her stunt doubles' boots that were usually flat or had no more than a 1-3 inch heel.)


This Scarlett model is the second pair that i now own. The shiny, happy, bronze, grey, white, silver, black & brown faux snakeskin pattern just rocks, in my opinion. They go with almost anything. Personally, i would have preferred to forgo the mauve bow; but i love the fit, the shininess - and they appeal to my snakeskin pattern fixation that has emerged this past year.


...with the flash: (How they shine at night.)

A Hike to Remember - Part III

Our last day at Chapadas, we took two different trails in another region, outside of the main park. Both trails feature cachoeiras, (pronounced: "kosh-shoe-ay-dahs") or waterfalls - both fed by the Almécegas Brook, or Córrego. (pronounced: "Coe-heh-go")

Cachoeira do Córrego Almécegas I


This water was freezing! I normally don't mind jumping into cold water. I used to go swimming in Lake Travis, at least once, during the winter - when the lake temps are around 50-54 degrees Fahrenheit (10-12 Celsius) ...but this was a 5.9 second affair. I almost jumped out, with the same arc i went in - it felt like what i'd imagined it'd be like to swim close to one of the poles. (I know. Now i'm being dramatic.) It was cold!



Cachoeira do Córrego Almécegas II





The sun was incredibly bright that day, until the rains rolled in.

A Hike to Remember - Part II

The second day of our hiking adventure in Chapada dos Veadeiros, we chose a 12 kilometer route. Again, we were rewarded with a dip in a river - as well as a pleasant shower about 10 minutes into our hike.


Personally, i love hiking in the rain... & exercising... & pulling weeds... (it's much easier) To me, rain rejuvenates & refreshes - any time, any place. This particular day, the rain greeted us as we started - and bade goodbye as we finished our day. In between, it was hot & sunny... and hot.


This park is full of crystals and geodes. They were everywhere, along the trails - in every size imaginable. The locals believe this accounts for the cool "energy" there.



Sorry, i couldn't just pick one - or even two - good angles of this area. I like all 4 of these shots.




This waterfall is 89 meters high, or 292 feet.


Further up river...


...another one.









One of the locals...


As we reached this area, the thunder started rumbling. Since we were now among the tallest points, in the area - we called it a day. It is not uncommon to hear of people getting struck by lightening here in Brazil.




As we left the park and headed toward the town, we saw a small, faint rainbow patch/cloud... I wasn't even sure the camera would be able to pick it up. See it in the middle of the pic?

Happy Birthday, Bella!

The month of February is very special to our family. Two of our bright & shining stars were born, just days apart.

Today is the birthday, of a certain special young lady: my niece Bella!


Six years old, going on 13! You are such a smart & beautiful young lady.

I love being able to keep in touch on messenger, and through your sweet letters and drawings that you've sent. I am continually amazed at how fast you are growing up.


I love that we share that same funky humor that has passed on to the fourth generation, via The Peanut Gallery. It started with Pa.)

You've got your mama's athleticism, style, spunk and determination.


I wish i could be there to help you with your homework... go camping together for the first time... and be available to teach you how to ride that skateboard, when you grow into it - and how to have a few band aids taped underneath, just in case. ;)

I love you so much, Bella! I hope you have a wonderful birthday!


Happy, Happy Birthday!!!!!!!

A Hike to Remember - Part I

I've been telling my friend, Kirigalpoththa, that i would add some pictures of the various beautiful areas here in Brazil.

These are photos from the trip we made to Chapada dos Veadeiros, a national park located in the state of Goiás. We stayed in the small town of Alto Paraíso, or High Paradise. As i took over 600 photos in the span of a few days, i will only highlight a few from each day, in this series.

The first day we hiked 5 kilometers, through the most famous point known as Vale da Lua, or the Valley of the Moon. The name is due to the rock formations that are completely out of this world, and only found in this valley.

Our hike paid off, at two different points in which we could cliff-jump into something cool & wet; which is my absolute favorite activity in the world!!



Vale da Lua



The smallest details of creation are sometimes the most awe-inspiring...





I love the pink tips on this shoot. To me, it looks like a paint brush that was poised to begin a work of art - and in doing so, became just that...


Why, yes - i did make this hike with a torn labrum. Now i can officially sport that old "No crybabies" bumper sticker, that i've had for years. ;)

Happy Birthday, Des!

Someone very special to me is having her birthday today! My niece, Des, is 4 years old! I can't believe how the time has flown. She is already such a big girl.


I wish i could have been there to see her first steps... watch the Backyardigans, Dora & Lazy Town together... or been available to just chill together, while i babysit ...any day of the week.


I hope that in the future we have the opportunity to cash in those wishes for real memories. I can't imagine at what point we'll do so.

Will she be a pre-teen, enchanted with music & boys?

A young lady with more pressing matters on her mind?

A young adult with precious spare time between semesters in college?

I'll take whatever i can get.


I miss you so much, Sweetie.

You are as beautiful on the inside, as you are on the outside.

I love you.

Happy, Happy Birthday!!!!

A Little Less Screwy

I know: i should be punished for the onslaught of puns, these days. I can't help myself. I come from a family that was punniest on the block. My hometown has an annual Pun-Off...

If you are averse to puns, please just read it literally. It still applies. ;)

Here is what the Doc removed from my hip on the 18th. I tried to dress it up a little so it wouldn't completely gross out anyone.



It looks like i'll be keeping the remaining two anchors, after all. We'll know more around May - after a year has passed since the first surgery. I'm hoping to have them replaced, but another surgery might just do more damage???

I reeeeeeeeally hope that the Lord allows me to heal and return to playing volleyball, cross-country hiking, spelunking, cliff-jumping & swimming... and what i wouldn't give to kickbox, again.

I saw this verse today, and would like to believe that it could apply to my situation, but i will just wait to hear the verdict - whatever God allows...

"He said, 'If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.' "
~ Exodus 15:26 (New International Version)

Regardless, my heart is "steadfast" - as i realized this today, while listening to a really encouraging & informative sermon by Dr. Barnett. I found a set of verses that really seem to be "my" verses for this season.

"To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in You I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in You will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths;
guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
Remember, O LORD, Your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to Your love remember me, for You are good, O LORD.
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways.
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant.
For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only He will release my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.
Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.
See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!
Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in You."
~ Psalm 25:1-11, 15-21 (NIV)