mind bits from artiste-de-paix

2011-06-02T22:30:00.000-07:00

There's a figurative show coming up next week that I plan to be in.
I'll be putting the little family group in it
and the nude
and the guy on the blue page.

So, that's what's going on right now...plus work.

New one causing frustration!

2011-03-15T21:51:00.000-07:00

It's not this piece that is frustrating me. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. It's the frigging technology! I am trying to send this to an encaustic group that I belong to and I can't get it to be 300dpi and 7" on the longest side! This is what I need so that it , or another piece of mine (which I haven't even tried to send yet) can be put on the website of an encaustic group that I belong to. I have had pieces in 2 of their shows (sold one!) and would like to continue the relationship but if I can't get this to work they may shoot me! I don't have Photoshop, and I can't afford to buy it either so don't even think about suggesting that! I have sent it to someone who has Photoshop and she has made it 300dpi and all, but it didn't translate or something.

So right about now I am ready to shoot all computers!

Frogs from my past

2011-02-25T21:41:00.000-08:00

Came across this is a piece I did the other day and hung it in my dining room. Then thought it would be fun to share, so I did...on Facebook. Only to find out that Sam Gross did a piece similar a few years before I did mine. BUMMER!!!!

Let me back-track a bit. The one in the oval is one I did that was in a show a few years ago. The theme was "The Deadly Sins" so mine was about eating frog's legs. I used a couple of old drawings that I did when I worked at the Trib in 1973/74. See, I had been at a party where frogs' legs had been served (really, they did taste like chicken!) so these little guys were on my mind. Maybe it was my Catholic guilt, maybe it was my twisted mind...dunno, but this is what came of it. So I had these drawings on my bulletin board (as all of us wierd artists did back then!) and one of the salesmen (in the ad dept) brought me the Sam Gross cartoon. I said, "He copied me!". I didn't know it at the time, but in fact his came first. BUMMER! If only I was working for the National Lampoon or the New Yorker!!! Ahhh, the money I could have made! His original is up for sale now for more than I could make in a year at the Trib...maybe even in a lifetime!

Then again, Sam Gross may have sued me!

HONEST...I didn't see his till after I did mine!!!

So my first drawing was the poor guy under the checkered blanket.

Then my mind went a little haywire and, well, I just wondered how these little froggies would get around.

Sorry I don't have the Sam Gross cartoon to share. I'm sure it can be Googled.

Couldn't sleep

2011-02-19T20:22:00.000-08:00

After tossing too many times last night I gave up and sat on the edge of my bed. There was a full moon and I wrote this...

Moonlight poured across my bed
as if milk spilled
and waited for my tears

May not be great, but I sure liked it last night! Wish I had a pix of the night sky to go with this.

Claudia

2011-02-19T20:17:00.000-08:00

The girl in the drawing from the last post was named Claudia. She died at age 12 from Cystic fibrosis. The photo I'm working from is from the early 50's. I hope she likes what she sees.

2011-02-18T21:36:00.000-08:00

This is from a black and white photo that a friend gave me. She gave it to me because she knows I love to peek into family history this way.
Seeing it here I know she needs plenty of work.
But her tricicle will definitely be red.

Back to work.

2011-01-27T22:21:00.000-08:00

Like whispers within the breeze

returning to the blue life of youth

and warmed by autumn wisdom

her dream

carries her

2011-01-19T22:38:00.000-08:00

Dropped this guy off tonight at a local gallery.

It's my "Peace Nest". The show is called " Toys, Trinkets, Accessories and Stuff".

I hesitated about putting it in the show because it isn't a "toy, trinket or accessory" but it does fit in the "stuff" category. So maybe someone will look at it and see my thoughts.

I put a couple of fun pieces in the show. One is called "Time Square" and it is a tiny (1.5" x1.5" piece) that is shades of pale blue encaustic folding in on a watch face that has no hands. Just silly, no intended message. Another is called "Time Out". It's a tiny bird's nest with a couple of broken eggs holding a watch face. Silly!

I also put in "Nora's Poppies". This is the tunnel book that I did for my niece Nora. I put this in the show because I could almost hear Nora telling me to.

Feeling a little melancholy tonight

2010-12-09T22:07:00.000-08:00

Every now and then stuff just piles too high I guess. It's kinda high tonight so I'm feeling a bit not happy. I'm hoping that writing about it will brighten the mood. The music feature being played on the radio as I drove home tonight didn't help. Actually it pretty much trashed any good mood that was trying to peek out. It was all 1969 music. That was probably the worst year of my life and so many bad memories crept into the music. As I write this I am trying to bring happier memories around me. I'm sure eventually, my mood will improve. Just posting this photo of me and my Mom helps. We all have some crappy stuff in our lives to deal with so I will do the same. I will deal with it...again. I must remember that I am so fortunate that my life took a wonderful turn and I have been blessed with a great husband, incredible children and the freedom to be me.
Dwelling on the past only destroys my present and future.
I'll try to remember this.

2010-12-07T21:17:00.000-08:00

She sold.

I'll miss her.

2010-11-29T21:33:00.000-08:00

These are three new girls that I have just started working on. I plan to record their progress here. It helps me to see them in a different place. No need to comment, but I'm always open to critiques. They are all 12"x12". The ballerinas are from my head, the girl in the scarf is actually from a photo of my daughter who was fooling around wearing a pink towel on her head. Not sure what's next since one of these is on a new surface for me. Very smooth and not very forgiving.

We'll see where these girls go.

2010-11-20T22:05:00.000-08:00

I was making cranberry sauce tonight and turned around to the sink when I saw these two bowls I had on the counter. Clementines and ripening green tomatoes.
November in Chicago.

2010-11-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

Just home from my recent opening. Actually, from the opening and a late dinner with friends. But anyway, I knew you would all be on pins and needles waiting to hear how it went (ha-ha-ha!!!) No sales tonight, but some really nice feedback from some locally well respected artists. This is the kind of stuff I need to keep me going. After seeing the incredible stuff at the Art Institute the other day
I was feeling pretty bummed, actually to tell the truth I was feeling pretty crappy about my work. One of the artists at the Art League has his films in the Art Institute. I saw them on Monday. I'm not sure why they are there, I guess I have a hard time with video/film stuff. Anyway he was there tonight and said he thought my work was "very nice". Maybe he was just patronizing me, but I'd like to think he liked it. He was saying that he was not pleased with a couple of his films at the A I so he was almost as insecure as me I guess. Sometimes being an artist is pretty tough. What we put out there is so personal and intimate and it's hard to distance ourselves from it and see it as a comodidty instead of as an extension of ourselves. Let me re-phrase that. It's not that it is always a personal or intimate reveal, but the actual work comes from a personal struggle. It is a struggle to make what is in the head or heart or soul, or where ever it comes from, appear out "there" in some form. It is usually the struggle that is so personal or intimate. Some artists do put their intimate selves out there but the struggle is still the hardest part. Of course there are those "interesting" artists who make their art using themselves as the medium. Some like to paint with their spit as the medium with acrylic paint or maybe use their semen on a particular surface that turns it a different color. Ah, such talent. Years to perfect it! But I must not condemn such creativity or I will be condemning all of us. Oh, what the hell...that kind of crap is just that, crap! And I'm sure there are "paintings" out there done in just that, with perhaps a bit of oil paint mixed in.

But I digress, my intention tonight was simply to say thet my little opening was ...well...little, but nice. I will keep working.

Book club and Dorothy

2010-11-10T22:56:00.000-08:00

"They sicken of the calm, who know the storm” this from Dorothy Parker.
I have been trying to get my bookclub to read D. Parker for some time now and finally this month was hers. She was, undoubtedly, a very sad woman, but her wit and her mind...oh my God! If I could have one percent of the amazing
wit-ability that she had I would be exstatic and ...very witty! This is one of those (many for me) times that I wish I could time travel. I would love to just be in a room with Dorothy Parker. To listen and watch and ask.
She was quite something for her time.
Here's another:
"If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to."
And just one more:
"Constant use had not worn ragged the fabric of their friendship."
Just google her and her quotes. Yup, it's worth it.

2010-11-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

This is from a couple of years ago. It's the Milwaukee Museum of Art. I was there again yesterday and didn't have my camera, but watched from the inside this time.The shadow play was magical. I have several pix on my phone, but of course I don't know how to get them out.

I'd like to spend more time in this space.

My Jim piece

2010-10-14T21:46:00.000-07:00

This is a part of a piece I did about my brother for a show titled "Remembrance" a few years ago. It has been packed in a brown paper shopping bag since the show came down. The piece exposes times when we shared our hopes, our ordinary lives our and despairs during the brief time we lived together in the sixties. We were in our early 20's and both trying to figure out who we were and where we were going. He got it and I am still trying to figure it out. He died 19 years ago. I still miss him, but I cherish our time together.

I'm glad I pulled it out of the brown shopping bag that it was stored in and put it up in my studio.

Sometimes it's just nice to have favorite things near. This feeds my memories.

Sold and sad

2010-09-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

VIEW FROM THE DOCK

Floating
through time
as a dream
blue air,
yellow breeze
caress
the soul
within me

2010-09-27T20:55:00.000-07:00

Here we are as the arts fest begins...

We decided to see how our work would be received by being in an art fair. Holy crap! What a lot of work!

This is the first and last art fair I will ever be in. The packing, catalogueing, pricing, loading, un-loading, packing, un-packing, getting up at 5:30 AM, toting & hauling, loading, un-loading, hauling again, hanging again, loading again, un-loading again, ....exhausting! How do these artist do this for a living??? I have a whole new, and HUGE, respect for them!

I should tell you that my work is the smaller pieces (the encaustics) and my friend's pieces are the larger ones(cold wax paintings). We both had some nice sales and we met some lovely artists, so it wasn't a total bummer, but our bodies are suffering from all the physical labor!

So next time at an art fair, buy at least one thing and always compliment the artists. NEVER say "My three year old could do that" !

Good-bye beautiful lady

2010-09-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

My dearest Aunt Dode died tonight.
God speed to a beautiful lady and inspiring spirit.
I am blessed to have had her in my life.

Must read..all of you!

2010-08-11T22:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight was my book club (a wonderful thing and I highly recommend this for you all!). The book we read this month was , "Half the Sky" by Kristof & WuDunn. This is an excruciating book because it tells, graphically, the stories of so many young women who have been victimized by their culture. But is also tells of the survival of so many of these women. I was not able to go any farther than page 87. It was just too painful and disturbing, but my book club women helped me to see the positive from this book.
So, read it and do what you can to change someone's life.

Recently remembered...

2010-08-09T20:57:00.000-07:00

I was reminded of this little poem/prayer that my brother Jim wrote several years ago. I'm sure he wouldn't mind sharing it with you...

"Oh God
please hear me
as I rise and pray
protect me from the men
who wear suitcoats all day"
Jim Parker

Question...

2010-08-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

Do cicadas ever sleep?

Sold and sad

2010-07-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

"Into My Mystic" was in the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Fest show WAX this weekend. I couldn't get to the show, but got a call that someone wanted to purchase it. At first I was thrilled, but then I got a little sad because this is a piece that I am so fond of. So off it went. It was bought by a couple that really loves it so I don't feel as bad, but I will miss it.

And then the girls went off to their new home overlooking Lake Michigan. I know they have a lovely home and their new owner loves them, but I will miss them too.

It's not easy letting go. At least when you let go of your flesh and blood children you know that you will see them again.

Something to think about, a lot

2010-07-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

There are several reality shows on these days, and I watch several of them, but when I saw the one called "The Next Great Artist" I was pretty dumb founded. What and how can they do this? And who would want to be in this rediculous show!Of course I watched it. To my surprise, I liked it. So I watched it again, and again, and again. Maybe it's because I didn't go to art school, but I'n finding it very interesting and educational. Tonight the challenge was to create something that represented how and why they became artists.

So now I'm thinking.

For Aunt Dode

2010-07-02T22:08:00.001-07:00

Aunt Dode is 98. Tonight she is not doing well. She is my favorite aunt and my role model. She has always marched to her own drum, but very quietly and with respect for other's drums. Her smile is infectious and her heart is always open. She is an artist to her soul. She is a beautiful woman, even at 98. She is my mother's sister and my second Mom.
I am sending my love through this painting of her as my Mom's Maid of Honor.

missing

2010-06-18T22:18:00.000-07:00

I haven't been here for a while. Maybe I'll get back here soon!

I hope so.

Till then...

Some new work

2010-05-16T20:04:00.000-07:00

So glad to have more than one or two days at a time in my studio. I've been able to accomplish some stuff.

Aaaarrrrgh!!!

2010-05-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

How do I get photos off of Picassa other than via email?!!!!

Very late...poetic musings

2010-03-23T23:26:00.000-07:00

Musings are due to wine and warm spring hopes.
Make no judgements of the words, just try to feel the breeze.

Tuesday:
vision never sees reality
reality never hears the dream

Monday :
life travels through to death
to open to the light of life

3/16/10 :
days of light
nights of illumination
sisters always

Nothing much

2010-02-23T19:14:00.000-08:00

These are the new girls.
They're OK, but not my favorites.
Pretty stiff.
I really need to work harder and I need to get back to doing less structured folks.
I need to get into the studio more often.
I need to stop procratinating!

These girls are now hanging in a show with some very edgy art. I use that term loosely. Hate to be a snob, but to me a black bra that has been coated in a stiffening solution and then embellished with 2 eyeballs for nipples does not qualify as art. I know, and believe, that we all have the right to present our artistic views, but let's try to be a little more adult. This artist is well over 50 and should have a more mature vision. And if this is really his artistic vision, then he should be creating the bra and eyeballs himself, not just buying them and glueing them together.

2010-02-14T20:11:00.000-08:00

Just finished her Thursday. I'm trying to get in the studio more. I had the opening for the Fused2 show which went well. There were to guys interested in my work, so that was nice. Good to get back in the groove...sort of. Now I have a show opening the 19th. Thought I'd do only the girls...the ballerina girls. So she's "The New Girl". I have another on the easle, not quite done. I'll post her when she's ready. My hope is that by posting paintings I will be motivated to paint more. Sort of like a year ago when i did "one painting a day" to get my butt in gear. Might have to resort to that tactic again!

Haiti, Avitar and an Italian restaurant

2010-02-02T20:13:00.000-08:00

Having just read my daughter-in-laws journal post about the needs in Haiti, my heart is once again aching for the Haitian children, their families and the wonderfully selfless people volunteering in Haiti. Just donating money seems so simple and in a way selfish. It's so easy to just write a check. I admire the volunteers who have physically reached out to those in need. Some day, I hope that I will be that brave, that selfless,that loving. Until then, I pray that the angels of peace and safety will hover over Haiti and hold them all to their hearts.

Millions of peple have seen "Avitar". Tonight I saw it. My hope is that the millions who saw it came away with the same message that I came away with. That is actually so unrealistic. I guess I can only hope for 10% of those who saw it receiving the same message. I came away knowing that we have to pay attention. We have to open our eyes. We are all connected, our world, our universe, our souls, all living things. We cannot continue our prejudice and greed. We will destroy this world if we don't pay attention.We must pay attention. We must care. We cannot turn away. We must make the effort. I hope that this will stay with me and that I will make the effort.

Following the movie, we went to a wonderful restaurant. This is a family owned restaurant in a very Italian neighborhood. What a treat! The food is very nice, plenty of garlic and olive oil, and my first taste of fried romaine (olive oil, garlic, and a bit of lemon) loved it! It was the people who were the real joy though! Everyone seemed to know everyone else, and if they didn't they they seemed to really want to. I felt like I was visiting my friend's relatives...and by the time we left I felt like I might possibly be related! Can't really explain it but I'm looking forward to going back, and bringing my family.

Coming soon to a gallery near you?

2010-01-25T21:40:00.001-08:00

So this is my next show

If you're in the area February 10 to March 8, stop by. There are some pretty fabulous artists in this (and I am not referring to myself...however, I'm not quite chopped liver.)

Sometimes sadness is lifted a little when it is shared

2010-01-18T20:33:00.000-08:00

Well, at least I hope so. I'm not looking for sympathy, I just need to write about this very sad and tragic event. A dear young man has been taken from us. David is his name. He is the young man in the light blue shirt. He was flying back from a business trip and his plane crashed in the Gulf of Mexico. He was the pilot and had 2 friends with him. There were no emergency transmissions. Smoke was seen coming from his plane, then flames and within seconds it spiralled into the Gulf and burst apart. I pray that it happened so fast that he didn't have enough time for panic or pain, that all of them were spared this. David has three children who will miss him terribly. He also has many, many friends. He was such a well liked young man. He was married to my daughter for a short time. Sadly, it didn't work out. Our family liked him very much. We will miss him terribly.

This didn't work. I am still very, very sad. Tears are blurring the keys.

Lovely coincidence

2010-01-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

Just spent a much too brief hour in a local coffe shop reading a tolerable book about Matisse in France, and wishing through it all that I could travel there. When I was topping off my
to-go cup at the coffee pots, two young girls shared the space with me filling their cups and speaking French.

They're BACK!

2010-01-05T19:03:00.000-08:00

So no pictures, but there are more deer tracks in my front yard.
I'm just wondering why the deer aren't being "harvested" for food for the poor and homeless in the Chicago area. There is such a huge deer population in this metropolitan area, it seems to me that their meat could benefit the people who have little or no meat. The Forestry department could handle the "harvest" of the deer, (and the geese for god's sake too!) and then the meat could be frozen and sent to the food pantrys to be served in the missions and soup kitchens. Who do we need to suggest this to? It just seems like such a no-brainer!!!

Oh deer!

2010-01-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

Guess who was in my front yard...

...at least two of them!

Pretty amazing for where I live. Guess they are just getting so over-crowded in the forest preserves that they need to "move to the city".

Connecting

2009-12-15T22:25:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been trying to reconnect with people that I have lost touch with. Thanks to all this "modern technology" I have been able to find several friends from high school and a couple from college days. Kind of a nice experience, but also sort of a kick in the butt. Makes me wonder why I lost touch and makes me angry that I let other "stuff" get in the way of friendships. Time to remember the important things in life. We don't have that long here, so we need to pay attention!

Forgot this one

2009-11-25T23:01:00.001-08:00

Maybe one of the reasons my post are such a mess is that it's so late at night!

This one is called, "She Holds Up Her Part of the Sky"

Just don't get this

2009-11-25T22:47:00.000-08:00

What I mean is, I don't get this blog spot publishing nonsense. I keep trying to layout my blogs so that they make sense with any photos that I have and it's never what I expect. I choose a layout but I don't think we are speakinfg the same language!

So the previous or latest post was supposed to have text running along the left with pix on the right. Didn't happen. I'm giving up on making it look good. I'm just putting it on the screen...

Here's some of my new work...somewhere on this page I hope!

I did four new "ballerina" paintings for the Box and 2 new encaustics. One was for Womanmade Gallery in Chicago and the other is in the Box. The Box one has the red circles. I'm not crazy about the ballerinas, but I really like the encaustics. The one for Womanmade Gallery is a piece of bark attached to a large piece of rusted metal. I may have posted this one before, but if so, it's quite different now. Also had some fun doing pastel on vellum. They are the little tiny ones in mats.

Catching up and breathing hard!

2009-11-25T22:26:00.000-08:00

Seems like I have been running non-stop for the last several weeks! See, this time of year is when I get together with 4 other artists and we find a place to rent for a month to show our work and the work of other local artists. This year we have over 30 artists in what we call, "Out of the Box". It is finally all set up and will open Friday. Here are a few photos of the Box...

Very late night Haiku...sort of

2009-11-07T00:21:00.000-08:00

So it's very late at night, and I can't sleep, so why not haiku?
I'm intrigued by this form of poetry. Maybe because of the challenge of the 5-7-5 syllable thing, or maybe it's the Asian seduction factor. At any rate, I've been exploring.
The similarity of thick cigar smoke and memories has been nagging at me so that's what a few of these speak to, and then there are the others.
The thing is, are any of these even passable? Since it is so late at night, my opinion is pretty skewed or should I say screwey! Wish I had a painting or a photo that would connect with any or all of these. Maybe another late night!

#1
gentle memories
fill the air like cigar smoke
thick with my regrets

#2
Forced reminiscence
fills me, choking memories
Thick as cigar smoke

#3
Tender memories
Fill my heart like spring blossoms
distracting reason

#4
Tender memories
Dance in my heart to music
heard lifetimes ago

#5
forced reminiscence
the air thick as cigar smoke
choking memories

Lake mist

2009-10-11T23:34:00.000-07:00

Whispering at dawn

calling me close to the shore

memories or ghosts

Fresh from the easel

2009-09-27T19:22:00.000-07:00

Finished her the other day.

"Ballerina at Rest"

11"x14" acrylic

Nothing much

2009-09-24T21:42:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post with my latest encaustic. It's called "The Other Side". The door opens and there it it is. The photos aren't very clear though. Gotta work on that. I haven't done much lately. I'm trying to get in the studio more though. Yesterday I finished a rather nice acrylic, but I don't have a pix of it yet. My hope is that I will get a good shot of it tomorrow and will be able to post it the next day. Won't be tomorrow because I will be working until at least 10 pm. It's the night before the Arts Fest and several of the merchants on the block, including us, will be hosting artits' receptions and will be open late. I'll have a few of my pieces in the store along with a fabric artist. So here's the new encaustic, then off to bed for me!

Garden from the heart

2009-09-19T22:58:00.000-07:00

This is a garden that was installed by my cousin's wife, my cousin and my aunt in honor of my neice Nora. They spent many, many hours this summer clearing out the space for the garden. Many of the shots that I have posted are of logs and pieces from the years of abandoned earth behind the pump house where our family has spent over 100 years of summers. It is, of course, much better in person but I wanted to share the beauty and the love with anyone who is looking. This is Nora's Garden from people who love her.

7 things

2009-09-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

OK Doug...it's only 7 things so I think I can come up with them!

No other people required to make these 7 things pleasant:

1. Painting,(whether acrylic or encaustic), and/or drawing (from life or imagination) ( I know I could have made this into 2 things but I felt like that would be cheating)
2. Reading a good book with a good cup of coffee early in the morning
3. Trying to write poetry...and it is always best done alone to avoid the laughter.
4. Watching the sunset over Fish Lake
5. Shopping...for anything.
6. Going to the Art Institute
7. Listening to music either on pandora.com or my Ipod

...and 8. reading my few favorite blogs.

Note to self

2009-09-15T22:15:00.000-07:00

What a lovely weekend!

5 girlfriends joined me at our little place in Wisconsin for our September bookclub meeting.There is nothing better that spending time with really good friends, talking about a good book (and lots of other trivial things) at a beautiful peaceful place during a perfect fall weekend. This will be an annual event!

Once they girls left, I decided that I have abandoned my art for too long. Time to get serious again. I did some small drawings and sketches the next day and a small assemblage for the new garden, but not enough! I need to take the small drawings and do something with them or do more. Maybe do a painting/drawing-a-day again.

It doesn't just happen...it takes work...and it is in the working that the joy lives.

Back in the studio...thank you God!

2009-09-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

Just have to say that it is so lovely to have several days off at a time! It gives me time to get serious in the studio. This is Sunday night and I have been enjoying the wax since Saturday morning and will be back in there tomorrow morning. Wish I could be in the studio on a full time basis!

So this is a work in progress. It is an encaustic (that's the wax) work done on a piece of tree bark attached to a piece of rusted metal.The first picture is an overhead shot (but not a very good one!) showing the bark and the metal. Good luck figuring this out! If I ever submit this one, I'll have to have some really good pix of it! The tree bark is about 15'x12' and is curved on the left side, almost folded over (can you make it out in the first pic?). It is attached to a larger piece of rusted metal which is also slightly curved and has some wonderful chips and cracks that I hope to incorporate somehow. Dunno how yet! There is something about the juxtaposition of these pieces that appeals to me. It's tough to see what going on here, and I have to say that it needs a lot of work yet. It is way too busy. It really helps me to see it in this impersonal, distant way. Gotta say that I'm liking the "road" that is encircling the chaos. We'll see waht tomorrow brings.

Damn thieves!

2009-08-28T21:46:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, my wallet was stolen from the office at work. I am still so angry about it and I am hoping that writing will ease these vibrations. I work in a nice little independently owned retail store that sells women's clothes. We have a reputation for being a very friendly and welcoming store. We all love to help our customers find what they are looking for. There are only three of us on a regular basis so most of the customers know us by name. It's kind of a Mayberry thing. Well, Wednesday two women came in the store. One was pregnant, or appeared to be, and the other appeared to be her Mom. The pregnant girl asked about a purse and if it could work as a diaper bag. This pushed a button in me that said "she can't afford a diaper bag so be nice". So we talked about the bag and when the baby was due, "any day" she said. She and her "Mom" started looking at the clothes moving to the back of the store. I had other work to take care of so I left them alone. She asked to try on a shirt that she could wear "now and after the baby is born".Then she asked to use the bathroom. Naturally, I said sure...she was pregnant, never refuse a bathroom to a pregnant woman! I know now that they were casing the store. I'm sure that by then they saw that I had left my purse on the floor of the office and that the door was open. My wallet was just waiting for them to snatch it! I'm guessing that that "baby" was just a nice little hollow for stolen things...like my wallet! Anyway, she decided to get the shirt, but when she opened her purse she realized that she didn't have enough cash...and this is just a wierd feeling...but I think the cash she counted out was MINE! So she said she would go to the ATM and be back. Well, she never returned. But they did go to Target and a few other places and charged about $800 on my bank card. My card, by the way, says "See ID" on the back so that noone can use it but me ...NOT TRUE! I am a blondish middle aged white woman...they aren't. So not only am I angry at them, but I am angry at the idiots who accepted the card! But even more, I am angry that these women think it's OK to just take my stuff and use my credit. Because of them, we are going to have to keep checking our credit report to make sure that they haven't opened other credit cards in my name. NIGHTMARE! The worst part of this is that my heart has changed. I am finding myself way less trusting and much more suspicious and prejudiced. I HATE that I feel this way!! All my life I have believed that there is always some good in everyone. I know that sounds sappy, but it's how I was raised. Occasionally I have realized that some people have very, very little good in them, but I still believed that there was some. Now I'm doubting everyone.Watching everyone, everywhere. I suppose this will pass but right now I feel as though something is rotting in my stomach.

Boating

2009-07-31T21:09:00.000-07:00

I took this series of pictures of my 3 year old grandson as his Dad rowed us to the end of the lake and back. Yes, that is correct. He fell asleep!

A different kind of heaven

2009-07-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

I spent several days last week at the lake with a couple of my children and their little ones. Those little ones being my grandchildren.

I recently wrote about my favorite place. This is where I spent at least two weeks every summer growing up and then brought my children to as often as possible. Seeing these little guys (and the big guys too!) experience my heaven was a delight!

There is something about this place that just surrounds you with joy and peace so that every day is a new adventure, even if you do the same thing as the day before.

My brother said of the place once that it is a place ,"...where you go to do nothing".

And so here is the nothing we did...

running on the beach

s'mores

cooking on a wood fire

ice cream

sand castles

snacking at the beach

wearing great-gramma's hats

climbing...and climbing

serious conversations

swinging

...and nothing much.

Thinking on the value of friends and books and humor

2009-07-08T23:17:00.000-07:00

Once again, as I do every second Wednesday of the month, I met with my book club. What a joy it is to gather with these intelligent, diverse, and wacky women! Our books range from the ridiculous (Pocahontas,by Paula Gunn Allen...you don't want to read this one!) to the sublime ( "In the Time of Butterflies" Julia Alvarez) to the impossible ("One Hundred Days of Solitude"). All of these books have , in some way, enriched my life. Yes, even the bitter dogs that we have read. This is because of the discussions that they encourage. It is amazing to me that we can go from discussing the affair that Frank Lloyd Wright had with Martha Cheney (the book tonight was "Loving Frank", Nancy Horan) to the spiritual wellbeing of society and then to the multiple dimensions of life forms. We do, occasionally, dally in trivial and silly talk, OK, maybe more than occasionally, but it is mixed with this other intelligent and amazing dialog. So, as usual, this was an evening filled with intellectual stimulation, trivial blather, delicious food, and blessed warm friendship.
Everyone should have a group of friends to gather with on a regular basis for some reason, any reason. It's the gather that is important.

FOUND 'EM!!!

2009-06-29T20:27:00.000-07:00

I found them...

well, I have to give my son the credit. He told me, step by step, how to look for them and then how to get them out of where they were. Sure am glad I had him! He has come to my rescue many many times! What a good kid!

So Nora, here is your tunnel book. Thanks for telling me to make one. I'll do more.

I want a Polaroid, or a Brownie Box camera, or a personal photographer!!

2009-06-26T21:10:00.000-07:00

If I had a shotgun I would have blown up this computer and the device that is SUPPOSED TO transfer my photos to it !!!! I took a bazillion pictures of the tunnel book that I just finished and I got about a dozen good shots to use when I submit it to any shows. I am not a photographer, so this was a major task for me, but I was pleased with the few good ones that I had. Notice, I said "was pleased"... that's because they are floating around in cyber space somewhere!!!!! Until yesterday, transferring pix for my camera was a piece of cake. Yesterday and today have been cursed. I spent hours last night trying to get the pix from the camera onto my desktop but they wouldn't move. I don't know why. Don't ask me that! All I know is that the screen that is usually on my computer wasn't there. It was a different one and I had a hard time navigating it. Obviously! When I finally did get the pix in the right place so I could drag them over, they wouldn't go. They just kept popping back in the box and a message continued to scream at me (ok, not really scream, but it felt like it). It kept saying that it didn't recognize the files. Well, if it would have listened to me it would have! I kept introducing them. When I couldn't take it anymore, I just poured myself a nice glass of wine and went outside where I watched the lightening bugs courting with their tail lights till I stopped hyperventillating and my blood pressure was back to normal. I decided to wait till tonight to give it another try. I should have just gone out and bought a shotgun. The transferring device sucked up my photos and spit them out into cyber space! All of the good shots, all of the pix on my camera, are GONE!!!! I have to go back to square one. And as long as I am complaining, and near tears, I realized last night that I can't submit this piece to the gallery that I had planned on. They require 3 examples of work in the same genre. Well, I have the work, 3 very nice pieces, but I don't have a digital or slide of one of the pieces. It was a rather large installation, which I could do again, but not just for photos. So I don't qualify...even though I do qualify and this piece should be in the show.....AAAARRRGH!!!!!
OK...I'll get over this...I'll be fine...I'll just keep telling myself that it just wasn't meant to be, that somewhere there is a reason and it will be ok. Disappointment builds character. Learn from this experience. Rome wasn't built in a day. A stitch in time saves nine. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Life is just a bowl of cherries. What goes around comes around. Don't count your chickens before they've hatched. It is always darker before the dawn. Every cloud has it's silver lining. Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing. Every dog will have his day. Shit happens.
Shit!

Days of heaven

2009-06-24T22:58:00.000-07:00

Four days in heaven are not enough, but at least I had them.

The joy of weddings

2009-06-19T23:25:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about weddings is that anyone can get out there and dance. It really doesn't matter if you have a partner, or if you make a fool of yourself...unless there's a camera near-by. Yikes...hope there wasn't one!

Tunnel books

2009-06-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

The last time I saw Nora I saw two tunnel books that she made. Those are pix of one of them. (Wish I could get the hang of this photo system. Hate to complain, but Journal Space was WAY better!) Anyway, that's a tunnel book and it's very amazing in person. So, Nora said, "You have to make one.". So I am and it's for Nora. That's what I worked on at the Cottage. (Well, that and sitting on the beach, painting, eating and drinking with my aunt and uncle and cousins.) I was nervous about this, but once I got started it went pretty smoothly. Hope it comes together at the end. Maybe I'll post a pix of it when it's done. Maybe I'll figure out this darn system by then too!

Dreaming

2009-06-06T23:14:00.001-07:00

VIEW FROM THE DOCK #2

Floating
through time
as a dream
blue air,
yellow breeze
caress
the soul
within me

One week from now I will be there. I can hardly wait!

Thinking of music

2009-06-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

So often I get lost in music. Anything from Steve Goodman to Andre Segovia can send me to another realm. I just wish I could play or sing. Isn't it so magical the way music can transport you from reality to another world? I could live there forever. Lately I have been going to www.pandora.com and creating such wonderful playlists that my nights last way longer than my body is accustomed to. In my next life I hope that I am a musician...as long as I don't play the tuba!

Poppies and breezes

2009-05-31T21:18:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day!
My poppies are starting to bloom...

They are so beautiful, vibrant...

and delicate.

Tonight just sat outside enjoying the soft breeze and some tunes from my i-pod.

Sometimes life is just so gentle.

Sweet Nora

2009-05-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

After a week with my family as we celebrated the life of my niece and mourned our loss, it is very difficult to return to the real world. How do you move on after such emotional excavation?
At times, the many tributes to this delightful young woman just ripped my heart to shreds and at other times made it swell with joy.
Still today, her death leaves me mixed with anger and relief. She suffered so and she needed relief but she had so much more to give us all. Such stupidity to take this child away. We are blessed to have had her as long as we did, but I wish I had been granted more time with her,time to see her share her talents and her grace, her joy of life. So, I will struggle again with death's choices.
Peace to you sweet Nora. I will miss you.

2009-05-10T22:41:00.000-07:00

Nora

a song
the light through the trees
a sparkle on the lake
the breeze in summer

Not plain
but not fancy
just pure
crystal

A treasure
to hold In your hand
or put in your pocket
to enjoy again
and again

Forever in my heart

peace and sorrow

2009-05-09T23:09:00.000-07:00

Our sweet Nora died tonight at 9:30 encircled by her family. Her pain is over. We will miss her gentle spirit, her smile, and sparkling wit. The world will miss her talent and compassion.

2009-05-06T20:56:00.000-07:00

So tonight was the Chamber of Commerce dinner. I didn't go last year so I wasn't aware that it was a taste of all the local restaurants and an auction thing. Nice event. I always feel bad when an item doesn't get any bids, so, of course I feel like I have to bid on these items. Thank God, all but 2 of the 5 items I felt sorry for were bid on after me! I'm actually very happy about one of my "winnings" (don't you love it that they call it winning when you have the high bid?!) I got 4 tickets to the local theatre production of my choice with some kind of dinner gift certificate. It was really a good buy at $70!!! This theater has been nominated and has won the "Jeff" (the Chicago version of the Tony) several times. Their productions are excellent! They are doing "Tommy" right now and I have wanted to see that (again!) for ages so I think I'll get 3 girlfriends and go! The other one that I got...not so thrilled, but the donor won't feel bad and that's important. I'll find a place for the deer antler.

Small bits of happiness

2009-05-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's important to just stop . There are small bits that can get lost if we don't pay attention.
Things like:
marshmallows in chocolate milk, even if it's not hot chocolate
s'mores
the soft smell of spring at night
the music of a little one's squeal of laughter
cheese curds
a hazy half moon
acoustic guitar music
bright yellow dandelions in a deep green lawn
dinner cooked on the grill
magnolia trees
and of course, peanut butter cups!

My website!

2009-04-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have a website! My daughter built it for me. It was an assignment for school so, lovely daughter that she is, she decided that she would make one for me! I'm thrilled! She had specific criteria for the site so she couldn't do some stuff we wanted, but we'll get to those minor things later. I'll also have to get some better photos of my work to post. Until then, it looks pretty fantastic for her first website! So go to www.maryjoparkerohearn.com
Thanks Staci!!

Back in the studio

2009-04-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

So nice. I had a couple of hours in my studio tonight. There were 2 paintings that had been hanging around for months wanting me to finish them and tonight was the night. I just love it when it works! I especially love it when I get a few hours in there. Hope to get back again soon.

2009-04-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

So now I must try to accept this insanity.
Accept the fact that, once again, a soul with such value will be taken from the earth that needs her.
It is insanity, absurdity, stupidity.
There is no logic here.
There is no reason, no purpose, no silver lining in this damned cloud.
So here is my anger and my despair.
May it lay here and not invade those I love. They have more than they can bare.
I pray that life will still show them flowers and sunshine and warm breezes.
I will not add to their sorrow and pain.
I will only hold them to my heart and promise to always be there.
But I will not accept this insanity.
Ever.

Another heartbreak

2009-04-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

Why is this happening? She is such a light in the gloom, a gentle hand in the dark, a tickle in our sleep. So many evils should be banished, why is such grace and joy being extinguished? What are you thinking God? The world is in need of her smile and you have decided to take it from us. There cannot be any good reason. I cannot beleive a loving god would do this. You must not exist. I have been wrong to believe.

another poem...

2009-04-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

For the record, whether good or bad, just in my head...

Lost Dream

Parallel lines
Never to connect
Softness never caressing
Words never heard
A life never lived
Only in dreams
Softly
Just beyond reach

Thinking of my neice

2009-04-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

Nora

She is a song
A light through the trees
A sparkle on the lake
A breeze in summer

Not plain
But not fancy
Just pure
Crystal

A treasure
to hold In your hand
Or put in your pocket
To enjoy again
And again
Forever in your heart

Diversion...

2009-04-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

Modern dance...not something I have experienced, ever! Went last night to see a friend's production. Unfortunately we had to sit through another performance before her's. I guess I'm not very modern dance educated. The first performance was...I don't reallly know what to say...I'm pretty liberal, open-minded...but this was just disturbing and boring. Lots of skulls (yes. skulls) and discordant voices. Could have been done in 15 minutes instead of 45 F-ing minutes of torture! My friend's performance was, for me, interesting. I'm trying here! As I see it, her dance is like my abstract paintings. I just go to the canvas to see what happens...she goes to the floor to see what happens. Kind of interesting, kind of confusing. I guess the deal is, if you like the "colors" of the dance or painting it's a good thing. Having no background in paintng or dance, I just have to tip-toe through hoping that I don't pick up the wrong salame.

just a prayer

2009-03-26T21:27:00.000-07:00

She's only 27 and she is a victim of adrenal cancer. My prayer is that she will beat this terrible demon. The world needs her presence. She has a light in her soul that can put a spark in the dreariest day or the most somber creature. I pray that God will see what I see and grant her the miracle that she deserves. The world around her needs her smile, her laugh, her heart, her being. The world needs Nora. Please God, let her stay with us.

Sharing a Grandmother's treat

2009-03-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was out with one of my grandchildren and I just have to share this with anyone who is out there. We were driving and his mom said he liked doing the Old McDonald song and started singing it. When she got to the "on his farm he had a..." she stopped and Tom filled in with "keys", or "Grammo" or Mama" or "sauce". Part of the fun was his mom trying to come up with the sounds of "sauce" or "keys", but also just hearing his choices! He's about 18 months and of course to us he is brilliant. It sure was fun!
I should really start recording all the things that my grandchildren say because there have been some priceless things from their amazing little brains! Jack said the other day, after falling and hurting his hand a little, "Aw, now I have to go to the HAND doctor!". He's been going to an eye doctor and recently got glasses, so doctors are a new world to him. He is
2 1/2-ish. I wish I could remember what he told his dad about not wanting to take his new glasses off when he went to bed. I think it was about seeing his dreams, but I could be making that up!
Maybe I'll post more as they happen.

Published!

2009-03-19T20:38:00.000-07:00

How exciting! My sister-in-law is a dietician who wrote a cook book called "Well Fed, birth to three" just sent me my copy. It's really more of a guide book/cook book with recipes as well as advice on encouraging healthy eating habits, ways to entice picky eaters,tips on food shopping, food safety and more. It's really a very neat book. What's the exciting part?
I illustrated it! It will be available through Amazon in the summer, but it can be found on www.lulu.com search for Well Fed.
WOOOO-HOOOO!

How tired am I?

2009-03-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

...SO tired!!! I just spent 11 hours on my feet in a women's boutique filled with bargains and bargain hunters! Thank God my boss believes in wine after 5...no matter what! Yup, if you shop in our store after 5 any night you are likely to be offered a glass of wine...granted it will be cheap wine, but it is tasty and it is wine! Tomorrow, the same but hopefully a shorter day and then again Sunday but definitely shorter (please!!!)

...and so to bed now....

2009-03-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

I'd just like to go through one whole day without any negativity. I'd really like one filled with only positive energy.

2009-02-26T21:44:00.000-08:00

Some new work.

Well, the girls are from before Christmas. They still need a name. It's encaustic/collage. I feel like it's cheating in a way because it's one of my drawings that I printed on tissue to make it sheer, then encased it in clear encaustic along with a rusted safety pin.

The red one is called "Box Car". Encaustic/assemblage. The detail shot is on it's side. Oooops.

Iteration

2009-02-18T20:57:00.000-08:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I love the silence the snow creates at night. There is nothing like it...and again I have to curse the cold! Tonight, as I stood under that incredible, clear and open sky, it brought back memories of nights spent under similar skies with my brother. He would point out the constellations to me, explaining their formation and exact placement. He would tell me their history and the fables that surrounded them. And I would listen and soak it all up and tell him that I could see them clearly in the night sky...and I never could find any of them. Still can't! Just the Big Dipper! And so...

Blue Oblivion
Orion stands
Each night
Exactly where he should
And still the sister
Searches

Just some nice stuff

2009-02-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

Sunday I was able to go to the life drawing session that I used to go to before I started working. What a joy!!! Not sure if I got any decent drawings. It was the doing that was the joy! I'll be going back.

Last night I was "not babysitting" for my grandson. (See, I "DON'T BABYSIT!!!SO DON"T ASK!" But when your daughter needs someone to watch her son so she can get her masters degree and then a better job, what can you say? So that's what I do on Tuesday nights, I don't babysit for a couple of hours.) Anyway, as the evening wore on and T (who is about 1 1/2) got a little tired, he would occasionally stop playing and say, in a sad little voice with a tear in his eye,"Mama woowk?", then he would cry a little and I would hold him till he felt better. I'll be going back there too.

This was book club night. We read "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and then watched the movie tonight. The discussion was great, the food and wine and champagne (of course!) was lovely. But best of all are the women and the connections and the sharing and the laughing. There is nothing like it! I'll definitely be going back.

Then there was the full moon the night before last. The air was clear and almost spring-like. The sky was a beautiful navy blue with gray chiffon clouds drifting with the breeze. I wanted to sleep under this blanket. I was mesmerized. I hope to go back.

Is everything OK?

2009-02-03T18:50:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else a little nervous about what's gong on in DC? Am I over-reacting? I'm just a little nervous.

Thinking

2009-02-02T21:05:00.000-08:00

Just saw "Slumdog Millionaire". The extreme poverty hit pretty hard. It's the children's plight that hurts the most. There are so many children in so much need and so much pain.

Latest work

2009-02-01T20:36:00.000-08:00

Periodically I will post a painting (or 12). I'm not looking for praise (although it is always appreciated!), but any constructive criticism is totally welcome.

So here are 3 relatively new pieces. They are 5"x5" encaustics. I am exploring the contrast of textures (smooth/coarse) and the play between hot wax and cold metal with these 3.

AHHHHH!

2009-02-01T14:51:00.001-08:00

It's fixed!

bummer

2009-01-31T20:28:00.000-08:00

No music for now. Kept getting an echo.
How sad!
Maybe I'll get it back tomorrow...

Echoechoecho...

2009-01-31T20:21:00.000-08:00

Is there an echo in here or is it me?
Yikes...don't know what happened, but I'm trying to fix it. BUMMER!

Trip for sure!

2009-01-30T19:56:00.000-08:00

YES! Tickets have been purchased! I will be going to Phoenix March 11 for a glorious, warm, 6 day visit with my dear friend and fellow artist. We are going to visit our friend who moved there last year. She is also an artist, and actually the woman ho taught me encaustic painting. It will be an art and laughter filled visit! I am so excited! This winter is just way to winter-filled this year. Wish I could leave tomorrow.

The pix above is from last year's visit. That's the 3 of us at the top of one of the vortexes in Sedona. Now, that was an interesting experience! I'm a little skeptical about things that are so commercial as the vortexes in Sedona. If something is supposed to be a "spiritual experience" it really shouldn't be advertised all over the place. So, we explored 3 of them. (Ther went my principes!) For the most part there was nothing remarkable, except for the scenery, until the last one, where this pix is taken. When we got to the top of this place, we all felt something. Can't say exactly what, but something. Sort of a peace I guess. Hard to put into words. I still remember it though. Nice. I do believe that there is something beyond our physical universe and that there can be and is communication with that something. So maybe that's what was up there...or maybe the air was just thinner. Dunno, but I liked it and hope we go again.

What can you say?

2009-01-29T21:03:00.000-08:00

So "Helmet Hair" is out. We have a new governor here, but I'm not sure the old one is really going to leave. Listening to him today was actually a little sad. He just doesn't get it. Or maybe he does! Maybe he's using this insanity trick to save his neck. Who knows! Who cares! He's done and hopefully our new Gov will be better. What am I saying? Of course he'll be beter, but will he be any good?! Actually, I have a good feeling about Gov Quinn. He graduated from Fenwick High School, the same school my husband and sons graduated from. Not that that means much. I just know how the Jesuits taught them and I think Gov Q soaked up some of the "good stuff" from them. He started the Citizens Utility Board, so he has at least one point!
Time will tell.
My fingers are crossed.

Wooo-hoo!

2009-01-29T20:46:00.000-08:00

I did it!

More?

2009-01-29T20:34:00.000-08:00

OK, so now I have to figure out how to put more music on here! This could get kinda boring after a while. Not that Nina is ever boring! It would just be nice to have more music! I think music is one of the most important things in life.

Music...and a wish

2009-01-28T22:20:00.000-08:00

Well, almost! I have created a playlist, but I need to figure out how to post it....don't hold your breath, but it'll be here soon. In the meantime, go to Pandora.com and play your own tunes!

Above is a pix of what I wish I was doing!

silence of the snow

2009-01-24T20:30:00.000-08:00

As much as I hate winter, there is something so lovely about the silence created by the snow. There is almost a feeling of a warm enclosure that happens at night when I am out in the snow covered yard. The dark navy sky, the glow of the alley lights, the soft rustle of the pine trees, and the silence. The silence is so addictive. I want to breath it in and keep it in my heart forever, only to bring it out during times of chaos and then store it safely away in my heart until the need is there again.
If only it didn't have to be so cold!

My life as a shop girl

2009-01-21T22:15:00.000-08:00

I started my working life in retail as a shop girl at the age of 15. I needed a work permit so that I could work at S.S. Kresge after school and on weekends. S.S. Kresge was the K-Mart of the 60's. I started at the check-out counter working the register. This was before the days of computers so I had to learn how to give change by "counting back", something that I can still do today. Ah, such talent! Actually, I didn't mind working the register because I liked making people happy and it seemed that they usually were happy when they bought their stuff. Every now and then I'd get a crabby person and I loved to be super sweet just to bug them. So evil! Soon after proving my prowess at the register, I was moved to all of the other departments to learn their inner workings. I was very succssful at some, and failed miserably at others. Which were my best you ask? Well, I did really well in the hat department (yes, we had hats in the old days!) I was also a star in jewelry, cosmetics and home decor. I did ok in the deli until I sliced my hand open. But my worst department was the lunch counter. I just couldn't remember who got what. I made a total of 10 cents in tips for an afternoon stint!For tis I was paid $1 an hour!

From here I went to several other retail establishments to get me through high school and a short college carreer. After leaving college early I was fortunate to land my dream job as a fashion illustrator for Chas. A. Stevens in Chicago. So now I was working as an artist. All I have ever wanted...to be an artist. Now I was making $47.50 a week! Over the years I have worked as an artist in many different venues, as a newspaper artist, a decorative painter, a muralist, a logo designer,and free lancing. I am

very blessed to have had these opportunities.I have learned so much from all of the artists that I have worked with. Much more, I have been told, than if I had gone to art school. Now, in the autumn of my years (wait isn't that a song?)I am, once again, a shop girl! It's a lovely job working in a very nice little boutique in the suburbs of Chicago. I get to put on cute clothes and talk to fun people and then go home with no stress in my shop girl life!I make a lot more money than those first shop girl jobs but that is not the important part. When I am not doing this I get to go into my studio and do what I love most...paint!!! This is what I must do. Except for raising my children, painting is what makes me feel real. It's what I must do. It is my air.

So being a shop girl has given me more than minimal wage. It has brought me to the point in my life where I can do and be what I was born to do.

Gerry

2009-01-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

Not sure where to begin.
How do you write about someone who has died?
I guess I just begin.
Gerry was a dear friend, but we were not terribly close for the last few years. No reason, just drifted. She was the kind of person you could count on if you wanted to know the truth. She knew what she believed in and she did not let you talk her out of it. We had some great discussions! I know that she could be seen as being a bit negative, and she was at times, but I think it's because she was so grounded and determined. I'm making her sound all stuffy and stodgy...that is not Gerry! She loved to laugh and joke and was always up for an adventure. Well, as much of an adventure as you can have with a few toddlers in tow! We both had little guys back when we were closer. We spent quite a bit of time hanging out while the little guys created havoc and destruction! There were actually 3 moms and 3 little dudes, but that's another story!
I just have to say that I am glad that I knew Gerry. She had an impact on my life. I am sad that she is gone and grateful for her friendship.

Here we go...

2009-01-10T20:33:00.000-08:00

Well, let's see how this fits. I am missing my journal on Journal Space so I'll give this a shot. The wonderful thing about JS was the community that formed. I have to admit ,though, that occasionally I didn't write all that was on my mind because I knew others would be reading it. Here I don't expect so many viewers...just those I tell about it. So I guess that means you! Often, I will write things that I would not voice, simply because I hate to upset people or cause confrontation. Also if I feel strongly about something, I usually don't want to argue or discuss it, I just want to say it!! So feel free to comment, but understand that I may not reply...and then again I may bite your head off! I will also periodically post my paintings and drawings and poems. No need to comment...unless it is a positive comment. I always love that pat on the back.

My first official post then is :

I really hate this snow!!! It is so difficult for my husband to get around in and it really hurts my bones. OK, OK, it is a beautiful snowfall, and the silence is awesome. Just being outside at night when the snow is new is almost a spiritual experience. It's as if you are the only one on earth and there is total peace surrounding you. If only it could be a lot warmer!!!!

mind bits from artiste-de-paix

New one causing frustration!

Frogs from my past

Couldn't sleep

Claudia

Feeling a little melancholy tonight

Book club and Dorothy

My Jim piece

Sold and sad

Good-bye beautiful lady

Must read..all of you!

Recently remembered...

Question...

Sold and sad

Something to think about, a lot

For Aunt Dode

missing

Some new work

Aaaarrrrgh!!!

Very late...poetic musings

Nothing much

Haiti, Avitar and an Italian restaurant

Coming soon to a gallery near you?

Sometimes sadness is lifted a little when it is shared

Lovely coincidence

They're BACK!

Oh deer!

Connecting

Forgot this one

Just don't get this

Catching up and breathing hard!

Very late night Haiku...sort of

Lake mist

Fresh from the easel

Nothing much

Garden from the heart

7 things

Note to self

Back in the studio...thank you God!

Damn thieves!

Boating

A different kind of heaven

Thinking on the value of friends and books and humor

FOUND 'EM!!!

I want a Polaroid, or a Brownie Box camera, or a personal photographer!!

Days of heaven

The joy of weddings

Tunnel books

Dreaming

Thinking of music

Poppies and breezes

Sweet Nora

peace and sorrow

Small bits of happiness

My website!

Back in the studio

Another heartbreak

another poem...

Thinking of my neice

Diversion...

just a prayer

Sharing a Grandmother's treat

Published!

How tired am I?

Iteration

Just some nice stuff

Is everything OK?

Thinking

Latest work

AHHHHH!

bummer

Echo*echo*echo...

Trip for sure!

What can you say?

Wooo-hoo!

More?

Music...and a wish

silence of the snow

My life as a shop girl

Gerry

Echoechoecho...