Fall Fashion 2012 for Boomer Women

Steampunk Jewelry for Women Who Are Older

I've been writing about fall fashions from the perspective of an older woman... namely myself.  And, most of the articles are on my website, Boomerinas.com... natch.  So, here's what I've come up with lately.

Steampunk Fashion for Women Over 40 or 50:  Okay, stop laughing.  I'm serious.  Steampunk isn't just for Halloween anymore.  It's creeping into mainstream stores.  And, I for one... well... I actually like it.  I only have a few mildly Victorian pieces - hats, boots, skirts - but I will be adding more goodies to my arsenal.  (Does anyone know where I could get a pith helmet that would be safe enough to use as a bike helmet?)

How to Wear a Hat - Rules & Etiquette for Women:  Oh gee, notice the Steampunk hat in the photo.  What a coincidence.  Haha.

Helen Mirren: Celebrity Style for Older Women:  No, I won't get into the "Did she or didn't she have a facelift?" debate.  People in Hollywood have facelifts all the time.  Did you actually think that movie stars were from another planet where people never age?  In my Helen Mirren article I talk about what we can learn from Ms Mirren's fashion sense.

Hot Boots for Fall 2012: Women Over 40 or 50:  I guess this article is self explanatory.  However, I will mention that lace-up, Victorianish booties fit snugly around your ankle, but not too snugly, because you can adjust the fit.  This is important for women (of a certain "oldish" age) whose feet and ankles swell up for various reasons... women who still want to wear heels and want the stability of boots so they don't end up tripping down the stairs and spraining their ankles.  Yes, I have done that (twice) in disco-platform shoes.  It's not fun.

Okay, that's it.  Go read my articles, will ya?

Basic Neighborhoods of Seattle - Mindmap

This is a basic Google map that doesn't show the neighborhoods in a meaningful way:

 

The map above is a basic screenshot from Google Maps, which shows the northern part of Seattle.  (I'm trying to explain the main neighborhoods of the area to people from another town.)  So the pic above is a boring, generic map.

The map below is a scribbled "mind map" of Seattle:

 

The mind map has very little to do with the names on the Google map.  (I'm having a hard time getting the second map larger, but I hope you will get the general idea.) 

 

To make the mind map I used a screenshot (AKA Snipping Tool) to capture the picture.  Then, I scribbled out a legend (with a photo program) and circled the main areas (mind map) that native Seattleites use to get around the city.  If you can't read my scribbles, here's what the scribbles say if you follow the order of the legend:

 

*The orange circle is the general area of Capitol Hill (it actually extends further north and south, but you get the general idea).

*The blue circle is Ballard. 

*The pink circle with a Q is Queen Anne Hill.

*The green circle is Green Lake Park. 

*The dark U is the University District (Udub).

*The purple L is the area called Laurelhurst.

*The black arrows on the right are the 520 Bridge (which goes to Bellevue and Microsoft) and the I-90 Bridge (which goes to Mercer Island and Bellevue).

*The arrow on the left shows where Downtown Seattle is.

*The mustard yellow squiggle which goes north and south is "the freeway."

 

If You Know These Areas, You're Cake

 

If you know these neighborhoods (and the bodies of water in and around Seattle), I can explain how to get just about anywhere in north Seattle.  For example, if I tell you that the Space Needle is in between Downtown and Queen Anne Hill, you will have some idea where it is.  Or, if I tell you that University Village is between the U-District and Laurelhurst, you could find it without GPS.

 

Help With Boise

 

I am hoping that someone from the Boise ID area can show me (or make me) something like this for the main Boise neighborhoods (and the bike trail by the river, if you're feeling industrious).  It would be a big help for people who don't know Boise.

 

ps  If you asked a hundred people in Seattle how to get to West Woodland (which is a name on the first Google map), none of those hundred people would know what the hell you were talking about.  Normal people from Seattle would consider that part of town to be Ballard, Phinney Ridge (if it's the part on a hill) or Fremont (the southern section of the fictional "West Woodland").  The green square near "West Woodland" is the "Woodland Park Zoo," so there is a slight chance that someone somewhere, with a Mensa IQ, might make the connection and point you in the right direction.  I am only pointing this out to show how confusing some online maps can be. 

 

pps - I went back to the "real" Google map and zeroed in on the "West Woodland" area. People would call "West Woodland" something like: "the part of Ballard that's just below Phinney Ridge" or "that area near the Ballard Market" or "that area just south of Market Street."  My point is that locals don't always use the names shown on some surveyer's map.

Can I Just Be a Hippie Again?

Plumo - prshots.com

I loved the 60s. I loved the fashions. I loved that everything was inexpensive.  I loved that everyone got along with everyone else.

Can I just go back to being a hippie again?  I didn't own a car. I took a bus to get around or I caught a ride with a friend.  Life was a total groove.  What happened?  

Maybe if if I dress like a hippie.....?

Rock n Roll Hippie Chick

Rock n Roll Hippie Chick by boomerina featuring turquoise jewelry

Alice Olivia v neck dress
mytheresa.com

True Religion true-religion jeans
mytheresa.com

Jeffrey Campbell high heels
$210 - jades24.com

Tylie Malibu leather handbag
endless.com

Sparkling Sage long necklace
endless.com

House of Harlow 1960 tribal jewelry
houseofharlow1960.com

Sparkling Sage turquoise jewelry
endless.com

Shashi long necklace
endless.com

Fantasy Jewelry Box stacking bangle
fantasyjewelrybox.com

Fantasy Jewelry Box boho jewelry
fantasyjewelrybox.com

Boho Hippie Trippy Clothing and More

Hippie Chic - Photo prshots.com archives

Lately, I've been having a lot of fun writing about boho hippie clothing, music, and history.  If you like that sort of thing, and why wouldn't you, here are some links to my recent articles about boho clothing:

Boho Chic Hippie Clothes: Plus Size Maxi Dresses

Hippie Clothes: How Did Hippie Fashion Start?


I also love to write about music, and I like to have links that go to youtube videos.  That way, I can listen to my fave songs whenever I get bored or stressed.  Here is my latest music article:

Hippie Wedding Songs: Cool Music for Boho Baby Boomers

Do you miss the 60s yet?

Graves Disease and Prednisone Moon Face

If you want to see what happens when you have Graves' Disease and take the steroid, prednisone, you've come to the right place.

Pink Hat Photo: How I looked just before I went hyperthyroid (with Graves' Disease).

Black & White Hat Photo: How I looked when I lost 20 pounds in one month from being hyperthyroid (due to Graves Disease), complete with bulging eyes and other fun stuff.

Blue Hat Photo: How I looked immediately after starting prednisone. 
This flattering look is called "prednisone moon face."

I Gained Over 30 Pounds

My course of prednisone caused a weight gain of 30 or 40 pounds in one month.  My facial swelling went back down after I stopped the meds...well...my face went closer to what I would consider normal, however my skin was immediately more saggy due to the deflation of my balloon face.  I was told by many people that I would lose the weight as soon as I stopped the drugs, but I was part of a small percentage of people whose body did not react according to the script.

Prednisone: The Evil Wonderful Drug

For the last few years, my weight has gone down and back up (with almost all of the extra fat going to my tummy).  It's as though the prednisone changed every cell in my body.  And, I'm close to giving up on ever losing the weight, but...I've decided to stash my skinny clothes in a box...just in case I luck out and my doctors find an alternate med so I can ditch one of my other horrid (but necessary) drugs that keeps me looking nice and plump.

In reality, I don't regret taking prednisone.  My alternative was to risk losing my vision.

Why Am I Talking About This?

The main reason I'm posting my story is that I want all of you apple-shaped women to understand where I'm coming from when I tell you my thoughts about styles and brands of clothing that work well with a tummy.  I am not just rewording shopworn advice from skinny, healthy fashion "experts."  I'm telling you what has worked for me.
 
Read From Frump to Fab in Five Minutes: Fashion for Apple Shapes

Songs Renamed for Boomers

I cannot take credit for this post.  It's from an email forward, but I can't track down the author:

Some of the artists of the 60's and 70's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers who can remember doing the "Limbo" as if it were yesterday.


Bobby Darin --- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' A Flash

Herman's Hermits --- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker

Ringo Starr --- I Get By With A Little Help From Depends

The Bee Gees --- How Can You Mend A Broken Hip?

Roberta Flack--- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face

Johnny Nash ---  I Can't See Clearly Now

Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways To Lose Your Liver

The Commodores --- Once, Twice, Three Times To The Bathroom

Procol Harem--- A Whiter Shade Of Hair

Leo Sayer --- You Make Me Feel Like Napping

The Temptations --- Papa's Got A Kidney Stone

Abba--- Denture Queen

Tony Orlando --- Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall

Helen Reddy --- I Am Woman; Hear Me Snore

Leslie Gore---It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To

Willie Nelson ---On the Commode Again

Sounds like this was made up by some smartass ad men.  I'm afraid they'll actually use the Denture Queen song.  Abba is "made" for commercials.  Now, all I want to do is come up with some renamed titles of my own.

Dave Clark Five: (And I'm Feelin') Bad All Over

James Brown: Papa's Got a Brand New Knee

Sam and Dave: (I'm a) Ole Man

Shirelles:  Will You Still Know Me Tomorrow

Wilson Pickett: Facelift Sally

Sly and the Family Stone: Hot Flash in the Summertime

Moody Blues: Nights in White Statin

Lovin' Spoonful: Do You Believe in Prozac?

Angels: My Boyfriend's Back (It Is Giving Him Some Trouble)

John Lennon: Instant Heartburn's (Gonna Get You)

Elton John: Crocodile Rocker

Marvin Gaye: I Heard it Through My Doctor

The Zen of Photoshop

It's been a dreadful week. My neighbor's husband died. A friend with an incurable disease took his own life.  My daughter is sick and in a different state, so there's not much I can do to help her.  And, when things are really awful, I like to sit in my room and play with color.  Sometimes, there are only three things that make me feel better: child number one, child number two, and photoshop.  I hope that all of you have someone or something that cheers you up when you really need it.

Nice handmade felt hat Dominika Made to order in by VChadyukShop

Nice handmade felt hat Dominika Made to order in by VChadyukShop

Bummer - European Travel Has Not Dropped in Price

Even though the Euro has fallen relative to the dollar, I just read (in USA Today) that European trips have not fallen in price.  How can that be?  Our currency is stronger than theirs. 

Normally, I travel (everywhere) in the off season.  Well, I haven't taken many trips lately because my husband has had three surgeries, my dog has had one, and my dog needs another one.  Not only does this type of thing cut into travel time, these surgeries cost a tremendous amount of money.  Yes, we love our dog, but you wouldn't believe how much money we're spending on him.  He has something like hip dysplasia and they need to break both back legs and reset them.  It's not like he's an old pup...he's two-years old.

Anyway, I travel during the off season because:

• It's cheaper.
• There are less tourists.

But, why aren't vacations to Europe getting cheaper?  In theory, we should all be flocking to the continent to get the biggest bang for our buck. Here are the reasons according to USA Today:

• The Euro hasn't dropped enough to make Americans change their plans.
• Airfare is at a 10-year high.
• Summer hotel rates haven't fallen, even in financially strapped countries like Ireland, Italy and Spain.  (Well, you can get cheaper rates in Greece, but no one wants to go to a country with riots.)

Also, everyone with big bucks seems to be going to London for QE's Diamond Jubilee and for the Olympics..so the mucky-mucks are probably adding a quick jaunt to the continent via the chunnel to their itineraries.  Hey, I love a good party as much as the next guy or girl, but what's more important: the Queen or my dog?

So, this year, my husband and I are seeing the good ole USA in our Chevrolet (actually, it's a Toyota, but you know what I mean).  We have visited relatives in Ottawa (not technically the USA, but close) and New Hampshire.  And, if you're thinking about tootling about in either of these areas, I will be adding articles about Ottawa and NH when I get a chance.  Look for them on Boomerinas.com.

I Finally Found the Song

When we were leaving Venice a few years ago on a repositioning cruise, our ship played a song over the intercom and it's been rattling around in the back of my brain all that time.  I knew the music was from an opera.  I knew it was a well-known and well-loved song, but I couldn't place it.

And, while I grew up hearing a few recordings of classical music: Carmen, The Nutcracker Suite, a bit of Tchaikovsky, as well as those wonderful classics used in cartoons because they were in the public domain.  (You do know that Bugs Bunny used to sing things like Figaro because the songs were free...sort of like finding a great photo on Creative Commons.) 

Anyway, I was raised by barbarians.  I never went to the opera.  I never watched polo.  I never played golf or tennis.  I was raised as an upper-middle-class barbarian.  And, that is why I couldn't remember the name of the song that I heard as I left Venice.  I remember being out on the promenade deck watching Italy fade away, and I was crying because I wasn't ready to leave.  We were only in Venice for three or four days...and it wasn't enough time. 

And...the...memory...has...been...haunting me all this time.

So...the song I had been searching for was O Mio Babbino Caro from the Puccini opera Gianni Schicchi. I had never heard of Gianni Schicchi.  And, that's probably why my searches were futile.  Also, I seem to recall that the version played on the ship was sung by a man, so I was looking for something sung by Pavarotti.

At last...the title is in my grasp...it's like finding the car keys you lost last year.  It's one less thing I have to look for.  And, listening to the song reminds me of Venice and the fabulous white sun hat with a black band that I bought at a boutique on the Piazza San Marco.

Funny Mother's Day Quotes

I'm not very good at being all sentimental, but a good laugh is as good as it gets:

"I'm a mother with two small children, so I don't take as much crap as I used to."

— Pamela Anderson

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch."

— Jack Nicholson

"A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car for ever after."

— Peter De Vries

"As long as a woman can look ten years younger than her own daughter, she is perfectly satisfied."

— Oscar Wilde

Where I Buy My Favorite Hats

Whenever I travel, I usually end up with a hat from one of the countries or one of the ports of call that I visit.  I have two well-loved chapeaus, which bring back amazing memories whenever I wear them.

The first hat came from a department store in Finland and I think it was called Stockmann's or something like that.  (The Rick Steves' guidebook says the store is the Nordstrom's of Helsinki.)  And, not only is the hat so amazing that one beautiful, younger chick in London told me that I had a wonderful hat, but whenever I see the the hat in my closet, it reminds me of a cold, but inspiring Baltic cruise.

The second hat (similar to the hat in the photo) came from a little shop in the corner of Piazza San Marco in Venice. Not only is this hat beautiful, but it reminds me of Venice, and Venice reminds me that I didn't want to go to Venice because it sounded kitschy and touristy to me...sort of like a Pirates of the Caribbean ride for grown ups.  And, remembering that I didn't want to go to Venice but I acceded to my husband's insistence because he likes to add little pins to his map of the world and Venice needed to be ticked off his list...well, seeing that Venice hat reminds me that I need to try new things.  I need to try new things that I don't think I'll like because Venice was the highlight of our trip.  Venice turned out to be a truly romantic, deteriorating illusion of grandeur and decadence, the likes of which I've never seen.  (And, I mean that in a good way.)  But, it wasn't all Disney-ish illusion and facades, it was old world, solid and real...and crumbling...and sinking...and still standing when it had no right to be...if you know what I mean.  So, my black and white hat reminds me of Venice and how I need to keep trying new things.

Well, back to the title of this post, because I seem to have wandered off track a bit.  I buy most of my favorite toppers at LouiseGreen.com.  Her charming hats are a bit spendy, but they're made as well as anything I've ever bought in Europe and they last forever, so you'll probably end up handing down your favorites to your granddaughters or grandnieces.  Hats from Louise Green don't come with the same memories as hats purchased while you're on vacation, but hats from Louise Green are easier to buy and you don't have to worry about how you're going to get your purchase home without it getting smashed.

I also buy hats from other online stores like Village Hat Shop, Samuel's Hats, Macy's, Bloomingdale's and other places.  There are other stores, but I look around to find the best prices, and I can't remember the names of all the shops.  The only kind of hat I wouldn't buy would be one that's a non-refundable, final sale, because you can't tell what a hat is going to look like until you actually try it on.

And, if you haven't become a hat-addict yet, you might want to read more about the subject.

More Articles:

How to Wear a Hat - Women's Hat Etiquette at Restaurants & Parties


Different Types of Hats for Women - Fedora, Cloche, etc. & When to Wear

Best Ways to Monetize a Blog

Lineal Guru of the Path with the Fruit.  Tibet

Everyone who has a blog has always asked the same age-old question:

What is the Best Way to Monetize a Blog?

Do Frenchmen Like Older Women?

Ann Summers - prshots.com

Why do Frenchmen like older women?  I've never experienced this firsthand, but one of my dearest friends said this to me a few years back and she had no reason to lie.  And, why do they have better lingerie in Europe?  Do European women know something we don't know?

Plus Size Lingerie for Valentine's Day

Well, I Thought I Was Better

Well, I thought I was on my way to health and happiness, but I woke up with my hands and face all swollen.  And, I don't mean can't-put-on-your-wedding-ring swollen.  More like can't-open-your-eyes-all-the-way swollen.  Hey, I was so good yesterday, I thought I would be out riding a bike or doing cartwheels today. 

BTW, why does Mongolia have better stamps than we do?

If I Ever Get Married Again

If I ever get remarried (unlikely, as I am married), I'm getting a bridal hat from this chickadee: BridalHatsbyElla - On Etsy.  However, this is a great fascinator.

Wedding Articles:

Wedding Dresses for Older Brides: Boomers over 40

Should a Bride Wear a Purple Wedding Dress?

I Need a New Hat

As you may well know, I wear hats about as often as QE II.  And, I'm psyching myself up for buying some kind of expensive (for me) hat.  Well, I ran across this pic of JC in a great cocktail hat...and I need something similar to this for evenings.

Unfortunately, I will have to find a way to get my husband out of his sweats, Nikes, and baseball cap.  Can you imagine Joan Crawford going to a restaurant with a man in a baseball cap?  Any ideas?  Maybe I'll just play the theme song from "Green Acres" ad nauseum until he gives in.

Flower Power

I wish I could think of something to write about Flower Power.  This is a Boomer site, so a few words about Flower Power would be totally cool right about now.  Can you believe it?  My mind is drawing a blank...my fingers aren't finding the right keys to convey how much I love the colors in this photo.  Well, pretend you're a bumble bee and enjoy.

See more cool photos at:

http://boomerinas.com/

and

http://pinterest.com/boomerinas/

Stinky Food

Now I know what I've been doing wrong...I've been eating bland food....and jelly beans (the comfort food of my life.)  Read about smells and dieting at Blissfully Domestic.  From now on, it's Limburger.

Lots of Funny TV Series, But No Vacations

Well, my husband has been going through some medical issues (issues being the euphemism for the old-fashioned word "problems"), so I haven't been on a jet for ages and I'm on the brink of losing my gypsy badge.  Soon, my guy will be all put back together and we can start traveling again...even if it's just to Tacoma or Bellingham (WA). 

Hey, I really start to get antsy after a few months (or longer) of being at home.  So, I've resorted to the All-American pastime of getting my laughs from watching other people have fun...you know...watching people on that silly box called TV.  Well, I never watch TV unless I have control over what goes into my eyeballs...through my command of Netflix DVDs and Netflix instant downloads. 

If you're my age and you think about it, the ole Boob Tube has been through a lot of changes during our lifetimes.  We were born before MTV.  Even before VHS tapes.  Hellaroonie, we're so old we had to wait for Christmastime just to see the Wizard of Oz once a year.

But, now that I have mastery over the programs I watch, TV isn't so bad.  And, lately, I've seen a few silly sitcoms that I think are pretty funny (as long as you don't try to beat the actors to the obvious punchlines and make your spouse yell at you).  My latest forays into sitcomville and miniseriesland:

• Raising Hope  (Some of the gags may make you barf, so don't watch while eating your TV dinners.  But, I just had a 20-show marathon of Raising Hope.  And, the Chase family seems so normal.)
• I Shouldn't Be Alive (Oh wait, this isn't supposed to be funny, but I love to watch how those idiots get into those stupid situations.)
• Sister Wives (This is the only reality show I've ever liked.  It's like a constant therapy session.)
• The Borgias (Okay, it's not a comedy, but sometimes...)
• Big Love (The fictional version of Sister Wives.)
• Nurse Jackie (Yeah. Only funny when Jackie is bantering with that female doctor.)
• Inside NASCAR (No, I've never seen this, but I'm looking forward to laughing all the way through it.)

Hey, when you haven't had a TV for years, all of those silly reruns of "Friends" are not reruns.  Of course, the humor goes under my head...so I've only watched one or two episodes of "Friends" and I don't feel deprived at all. 

Here's to becoming Jet Gypsy (again) someday soon.  What do you watch when you can't take a vacation?

Happy Valentine's Day

I found this little Valentine's Day card on Flickr.  The photo was very dark and dusty, so I spruced it up a little for a holiday treat.  Hugs to all my Valentines and pals.

Valentine's Day Hoodie Footie

Wow.  I just got my Valentine's Day gifts (on the eve of) and I like the flowers and the chocolates...but the best thing of all is the Hoodie Footie.  Well, my pink Hoodie Footie came with some sexy jammies that I've yet to try on, but I really love the silly-looking, fluffy Hoodie Footie outfit. 

Everytime my husband saw an ad for those silly Hoodie Footies, I rolled my eyes and said I didn't need anything like that.  I was wrong.  These soft and scrumptous jammies are amazingly warm and snuggly.  So, I don't care if I look like a dork, as long as my permafrosted feet feel like they're soaking in a jacuzzi.  

I just bought a blue version for my husband (because he said he wouldn't wear the tiger style) and I'm planning to keep the thermostat set at about 66 degrees, which will make Rocco, our Labrador Retriever, very happy.

Well, I've Never Been to Spain

Well, I've never been to Spain
But, I kinda like the music...
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to...what the hellokitty do I care about the ladies...but you get the point.

Well...in my opinion, I've never been to Spain.  Okay.  Technically I have and I haven't.  I've been to Barcelona a few times, but Barcelona is Catalan.  It's different from the rest of Espana, and I really want to make it to Madrid and a few other places.  I've even been to Portugal (for a day) and I loved Lisbon.  I've also been to BsAs.  I've been to many Latin countries in South America, but...Spain?  In my opinion, I have not seen Spain.

What made me start thinking about that part of the world?  I read a post about visiting Valencia and now I need to see Spain.  I want to see more than Valencia, but that would be a good start.  Read Valencia in 36 Hours? by fellow writer Jacqueline Church.

New Logitech Illuminated Keyboard Makes My Day

I am absolutely in love with writing again because I have a new, bouncy keyboard.  It does the same thing for my fingers as running shoes do for my feet.  It puts a bit of spring in my fingers' step.  If you're a writer and if your hands ever ache from arthritis, you gotta check this thing out.

My old keyboard felt dead compared to this.  I told my husband that I didn't need a new keyboard, but he got one anyway, because he doesn't know how to touch type, and half of the letters and numbers were worn off of the old keys.

Also, the letters glow in the dark, so the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard can be used easily in dim lighting.  Actually, I often write in the dark because overhead lighting exacerbates a borderline (beginning) migraine. 

Who would have thought a stupid keyboard would make me so happy?  This thing was well worth $79 (on sale for $59), especially since it was my husband's money. 

Building a New Website

Unfinished Painting by Gustav Klimt

Wow, it's been so long since I've posted on Jet Gypsy that I couldn't remember my password for it.  Sad, but true. 

Yes, I have been busy.  I'm working on a new site and what I thought would take a few weeks, at most, is into the second month.  Of course, if you've ever done anything online or worked with computers, you know that every little change often brings something else out of wack.

Have You Ever Painted? 

Those of you who are artists will know what I mean.  When you are painting, and you introduce a new color to some other part of the composition, that bold, new stroke will often change the balance of the whole painting.  Well, building a website seems to have the same effect.  One little part of the code is altered, then some other part of the code needs readjustment.  Holy sheet, it makes every little thing into a "situation" or whatever you want to call it. 

The Long and Winding Road to a Finished Website
Well, if you want to see my site, please do.  But, remember that it's not finished and if it crashes...it shouldn't...you'll know that I'm working on it.  Hey, even though I have a wonderful woman helping me with the design and the HTML, I have never worked on any part of putting a site together before now.  Hopefully, it will all be over soon so I can get back to writing....because, even though I never wanted to be a writer, I think that writing is what the universe intends for me to do with the rest of my life.  (It's in my genes.  My father was a failed writer...but a very good one.)

Link to My Beta Site

So, write I shall.   Here is my site:  Boomerinas.com, and if you want to know why I picked a name that is a combination of Boomers and Ballerinas, just click on the article with a picture of flowers.

Can Colors Make You Sick?

Well, can certain colors (or color combinations) make you feel nauseous?  Back in the day, when I was a painter, art teachers liked to call me "a colorist" because I used unusual color combinations to create interesting paintings.  I'm not quite a fauvist, but I do like unusual colors.  It's probably because I grew up in Seattle and most of the year the sky is gray, which causes all colors to dull down.

So, I was just playing around in Photoshop with a palette taken from the cartoon Yellow Submarine, and I started to feel sick.  When I look at the photo at the top of this post, I like it...in limited doses.  However, if I had to live in a room full of those colors, I would puke.  (On the other hand, if I lived in a room that was all blue or all white, I would feel cold and tired.)

Here's a site that seems to confirm that too much color can make you feel awful.  (Caution: If you get migraines from flashing lights, don't click on that link.)  Instead, take this fun color test.  The color quiz is a psychological snapshot of how you are feeling right now.

Happy New Year!

I didn't get my New Year's cards out because too much was happening this year.  So, here is the digital version.  (My dad used to write for "Gunsmoke", so I put "Miss Kitty" on the design.)