Although the layout/design of bluepoppy won?t likely be getting an upgrade anytime soon, I am going to be boosting its content with a couple of regular features.

At least I think I am.

At least, it seems to me in the sharp energy of this cold morning that I am.

(But have your tar and feathers handy in case I fail to deliver).

You see, part of the blog malaise for me of late was the feeling that this site needed an upgrade so that it was in keeping with my life now. However, as I kept waiting for that to happen (so that all kinds of other new things would follow suit) I neither posted nor re-designed and the ouroboros of it all ate me up.

So. The template stays. Hey?just like a great piece of clothing it is out of fashion and then becomes vintage, n?est-ce pas? I only have to blog for another 20 years or so and I?ll be styling.

Before I launch into what?s ahead, I must share with you the fabulous bounty that arrived here yesterday from the lovely, talented and amazing Suze.

I?m taking votes. Who among you believes that I saved a busload of kids in a former life? Who believes I was a Pennsylvania Quaker with a station on the Underground Railroad? Who believes I?m the inventor of rice krispie treats?

Yeah. I know. It boggles.

In the letter that accompanied this extraordinarily thoughtful overwhelmingly kind gift Suze wrote, ?when I was designing the sign, I knew one thing for sure (just like Oprah), there had to be a blue poppy on the plaque . . . by chance I found an archive where you describe your exciting day out bird watching with your husband and commented on a little red bird whom at the time was your favorite . . .?

A blue poppy. A red bird. Soliden.

Truly. My vote: the busload of kids?what else could explain this?>!!?!!!

And then?as you can see from the hint ?open me first? as in, yes, there was a SECOND hand-made mosaic waiting for me.

My photos do not do justice to the detail and colors and utter fabulousness of it all.

But, as I say, I am going to try and step up the offerings here to try and give back some sweetness to balance out all the love that just keeps coming at me!

But god, before I can do that somebody, please?hit me with a dose of sarcasm, a caustic quip?channel Jonathon Swift, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Dorothy Parker?please?anything to get my feet back on the floor.

got 2 cents?