Star Dust and a Give-a-Way

August seems to be a month to look for falling stars, better known as meteor showers. Perseid  is suppose to give us a great view tonight, if we can stay up to see this amazing light show.  I love watching the show, a glimpse into the heavenly, midnight blue sky.

  I started thinking about my grandparents; Winona n' Clifford, they are in my blog banner.
My grandmother," Nannie Nonnie" is what I called her; We had an unique bond. We looked like sisters, at different ages.  I have her olive complexion, her appreciation for details, her fondness of flowers, baking, music and nature.  She had a twinkle in her eye and a passion for creating beauty.  She was the first one to commission me, to do a painting for her. I was thirteen at the time; She paid me. I said, "No, It is a gift".  She said, "You aren't an artist, til you have sold your work".  Once a week, she would invite me to tea.  Polished silver arranged with her odds n' ends of her best bone china was the back drop of this magical event.  The time to educate me a bit more, dazzled in the brilliance of sugar cubes, silver spoons, pinkies up and her amazing sugar cookies.   Her essence echoes within me, her ability to see the luster in the ordinary, and the love of the little things, the additions of her time, honored traditions. These facets added extraordinary gleam to my life.

     My grandfather,I called him, "Papa" was a diamond in the rough.  Moonlighting jobs and doing whatever to get by.  Then he bought a gas station business, the Texaco. " You can trust your car to the man who wears the star", was their motto.  He wasn't flashy, but he had class.  He had been the leader and drummer of a band;  They were the Guy Lombardos, of Maine.   I loved him best, for his fantastical stories, he wove with magic. He could make music out of anything in reach and would at a moment's notice drum out a tune.  He was enchanting.

     Music, was the glue that brought my grandparents together. He met her at a dance; She knew how to play the piano  Their sparkle together,  gave birth to more family band members, my father and aunt. Dad played the guitar; my aunt the piano.  My Dad wore a star by day and shone them, on the silver screen by night.  He was a movie projectionist; His passion illuminated my childhood.  We all can find poetry in our family tree, we just need to peer close, to see the star dust.   Sometimes you only have to look in the mirror to see the reflection of their souls, winking at you.  Your shine comes with  following your destiny, your passion, and watching for glints of wonder,as the world spins by.

     It amazed me this morning, when I found Yvonne, gave me this award.   I am awe struck; You gave me goosebumps, the timing...  This lady is a poet; A dazzling, brilliant star; She shares her clarity of feelings, in poems.  She is amazing~  Thank you so much, I will be back to figure out nine blogs, to pass this onto.   

I truly can't thank my followers, enough!  You deserve stars today, too. I had 17 followers in April, never thought I would ever reach 100.  I think of my Dad and the movies he ran and how movie stars were glamorous.   Their brilliance was respected.  Elegance, enchantment and extraordinary performances made them illuminate, to the general public.   I think of all the grease paint, the behind the scenes, their moments of solitude that eluded us. We were not privy to that part of their mystique.   This reminds me of my daughter; She is at this age of trying new styles, glamming it up.  The make-up, hairstyles and fashion of the decades past.   She wants a bedroom vanity.   My daughter will wait a bit longer for her star making booth, perhaps Christmas. She wants to make this into a career, at this point in time. (She's fourteen)

Here is my give-a-way; CSN has generously offered, a $40 gift certificate, to one lucky star.  Thank you for all your kind regards and comments!  It is encouraging to see all of you, share so much of yourselves and make me smile, pause and wonder about the profound impact of words! I will try to be more actively involved, as a follower to you~

Thanks Yvonne for this wonderful Star; I will be passing on soon....

TO ENTER:  make a comment, one point, become a follower 2 points, link me on your blog, 3points.
The drawing will be next Friday, August 20th.
Friday the 13th, has always been lucky for me...perhaps YOU will be the lucky winner~ CSN has over 200 stores to select an unique item from; Something for everyone!
Friday the 13th, has been lucky for me in the past; I hope you will take a chance; It's in the stars...

I want to Thank, Lee of Tossing it Out;  somehow I found you and your A-Z challenge.   Life has not been the same, since! I am I joined in on this happy event;  It was a  wonderful, unique experience!   Lee is a man of many gifts:  juggling, writing, and working on a musical! Amazing man with a real Zest for life~

Thank you all so much~