As a very hands on person, I like the idea of investing in gold, rather than the 'on paper' stocks and bonds. To be able to see the gold and know that it's real and worth what I put into it...and will be far into the future, feels right to me. Okay, I've been influenced by my dad, he believes in investing in gold. Has collected coins of all sorts for many years. This has served him well and there is an ease that is not seen in the stock crowd.
My dad is in good company too, aside from all the people who are currently benefiting from gold investments, gold has been a source of wealth since ancient times.
This doesn't mean turning in my gold jewelry in for cash. I'm looking at buying actual gold and building a real portfolio. How very grown up of me. Such a late bloomer, it is clearly time to give some thought to the future and not just what I'm doing next Saturday!
Winter break, time to regroup and refocus for the remainder of the school year. Check out online tutoring if need be. The chance to breathe is good. The opportunity to really look at the kids academic strengths and weaknesses is priceless. As a teacher in a charter school, I'm very aware of the holes in teaching. Classrooms are designed to cater to the average student, driving the ones that excel to boredom and the ones that struggle in the dust.
Math problems are the enemy in my home and we could all use a little help, okay, a lot of help and math answers while we're being honest. Online math tutoring is really the best I can do for my kids. I cannot be counted on as an authority. Getting by in math is not enough with the level of math knowledge they need.
Good one-on-one tutoring is going to be needed for precalculus help and without a doubt statistics help because personally, I don't even know what would be involved in their statistics class.
Now that my son is fairly clear on his direction, he knows there will be classes that he will most definitely need to do excellent in. Getting some chemistry help will be paramount to his success. There is no way he can build the best transcript possible without pulling his chemistry and math grades up.
I love the idea of online tutoring. Teens have such wacky schedules there is no way we can commit to yet another appointment. Being able to pop in when there is a need, is awesome and completely fits with our life.
Unseasonably warm weather in Ohio, has allowed me to keep my furnace off completely. The kids know I won't turn it up until there is actual snow on the ground...and since we are yet to see snow, no heat. But since temperatures hit the low teens...I gave in and went to turn it on a few days ago, just to be nice.
Nothing. Turns out the furnace is broke. This is not good. Christmas shopping is nearly complete and they money is all wrapped up in pretty little packages now.
Knowing people, who know people, who know people is always handy though and the furnace guy is on his way. Yeah.
Like moving, road trips are the most fun when it's spontaneous and slightly whacked. The improbability of hoping in the car and traveling cross country with days notice makes it even more fun. Knowing your car is supremely important, check the oil, remember to look at the gages, fill with gas occassionally....and if there is an issue, take it in.
San Francisco auto repair is what I'll be typing in once I hit the opposite coast. Checking out all the possible places ahead of time is simply a good idea. Knowing where to service the Honda accord is something my girlfriend and I should have checked out before hitting the road last time.
We've learned the hard way for sure! Thelma and Louise we are not....but in order to keep the adventures coming I'm willing to learn. Or at least learn where to find a guy to replace a timing belt on the fly.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! On the way to my brothers house for dinner, I was asked what I really wanted for Christmas. My response was...hmmm, I really don't need anything in particular, am completely content with where I am and what I have. Actually, I've been quite focused on giving STUFF away, to make life easier, and help others. Going shopping has never been a 'fun' thing to do, shopping=entertainment, is just not me. And as far as gifts go, I'd so much rather spend time with people, go for walks in the woods or along the lake.
BUT, and this is a BIG BUT, if money were no object, there is one thing I would very very very much want...very much....a HYDROWORX swim spa. Yes, this would be the the ultimate gift. No, it would be the uber gift. Honestly the one thing I would splurge on if I ever had money fall in my lap....book contract, inheritance, lottery...
Their line of exercise pools are simply the bomb. Athletes of all stripes use these for training and therapy, Pittsburgh Steelers, LSU, Texas Tech, University of Kansas, Manchester United..... Swim spas speed recovery and the resistance training looks to be so, well, I'll admit it....FUN.
Running on a water treadmill looks incredibly more attractive than braving the elements day after day. And the very fact that I'd have to slip into my bathing suit before working out...would make the actual working out more of a priority! Yikes, talk about incentive.
Every since I started playing roller derby, I've realized how soaking in a hot bath can help those beat up limbs. Imagine the feeling in a home swim spa, complete with jacuzzi and aquatic therapy equipment. Just sitting in a hot tub isn't enough....being able to keep working out when my muscles are too sore to strap on the skates or hit the trail would be amazing. I really love this idea and would be more than willing to give up a room in my home to make this happen...you know, since I've been getting rid of stuff left and right anyways.
So, forget the jewelery, slippers and other token gifts...pool the money and 'surprise' me with the ultimate gift! Since you asked...
While I'm fantasizing...and feeling guilty for bashing the US....a little, Spain, come on now....Anyways, I have to wonder sometimes why I stay landlocked in Ohio, when there are so many gorgeous places to live in the States. If you count the Great Lakes, then I'm not completely landlocked...but the so called "North Coast" is small potatoes compared to the Atlantic or the Pacific. Maybe I should look into Boston Real Estate. Near the harbor..I'm sure my midwestern accent would stand out like a sore thumb, darn speech classes....but I don't talk to too many people. Boston Lofts look perfect. High ceilings, downtown, ocean views...ahhhhh. I even like sweaters and love Chowda. That was clearly the highlight of the Red Sox game for me a few years back, listening to the concession workers hawking "chowda", "any one want some chowda" "chowda here" That amused me. (baseball rarely holds my gnat like attention span)
Bushari Group Real Estate will be getting a call when my book goes best seller...I could find some Boston luxury real estate, a nice loft like this one, slip on a warm sweater and wander down to the harbor to contemplate my next masterpiece....
or just step out of my tiny house in Cleveland and imagine...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Lime green vinyl chairs...I love these. They are only $ 50 for the set too. But, alas, I have no where to put them. The place I've been volunteering my time, Second Mile West, has loads of very interesting treasures though. I usually wind up spending a couple dollars every few days, my latest favorite finds were a stack of records ( to melt into record bowls...pictures to follow, I wound up using a disposable camera and have to wait for the CD to be developed, ugh! not used to that) I can never feel bad for spending money there though, 80% of all purchases goes directly to Church Street Ministries, an organization I whole heartedly believe in. They do an amazing service for the community, caring for those who the world forgot, the battered women, homeless, out of work and out of luck at risk kids.
Fran Millward, the outreach director, is who I want to be when I grow up, she's my hero. :)
Copper window box planter. I love this! Absolutely perfect for my little house. It has taken me all of my life to really find my decorating style....but by George I think I've got it. As an artist, you would think this would come easier... To be honest, I discovered my style through painting. Years of creepy trees and fairy tale collages has led me to create a home that makes these paintings feel at home.
A real, Once Upon a Time tribute to storybooks. Plants are key, while most of my trees are bare, I have a thing for houseplants and take pride in their healthy trailing vines.
Outside, I've started to take an Edward Scissorhands approach to landscaping and have built unusual topiaries of mythological creatures. This all weather planter would be perfect to house a resident goddess. Atlas is looking better these days, but this is an example of a little obsessive gardening.
Atlas sits inside, he carries the weight of the world for me near my desk. Working on some other figures to go outside, but they need to proper planter, a boring terracotta or plastic container from Walmart won't do for these divas, no they need grace and style. Am otherworldly air to their home...I'm trying for a fairy tale look, but do not deal with clutter. One piece, placed with a purpose is better than 15 pieces,"just because". Indoor planters full of ivy, and my favorite characters...outdoor planters with goddesses and...a rhino. The rhino is being built as a gift...he'll eventually find a new home, one where rhinos rule.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Hearts Guardians....perfect season....16-0....regionals....state finals....then off to Tennessee for Nationals!!!
A watercolor/pastel painting i did for the 2nd annual David Lytle Memorial foundation benefit dinner. (sold for $500, and commissioned for 2 more at the same price! all going to the foundation)
The explanation follows;
There are certain things the law of attraction can’t change I can sit on my porch and believe, expect and envision but David will not be pulling in the drive
I can get on my knees and pray, blow out my birthday candles and wish with all my heart
But he’s not wheeling in tonight, or ever
Time passed
The shock dissipated
The loss… forever
David noticed
He listened
Told great stories Made us laugh
And held us together
His spirit still does.
Dave’s image, aglow in yellow, represents his contagious charisma, while the darkness shows our loss. The trees are growing out of this dark place, growing and glowing in a variety of colors to express the variety of his friends. He clearly did not befriend only a certain ‘type’, like Jackie said at last year’s dinner, we were all his “best friend”
The David Lytle Memorial Foundation roots itself in this contagious charisma and desires only to carry that spirit on and on.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
My Halloween Haiku: Masquerade, is up at The Writers Garden with a creepy new image! thanks Marilisa!
I love mail. Getting it, sending it, simple pleasure. I've even liked my mail carriers over the years. Well, to be honest, just one. In fact I never really noticed any of them until one Christmas, the first Christmas in a house with a mail man who'd walk up to the house everyday instead of all the rural carriers that I never really saw.
This nice fella sent us a Christmas card, signed Norm. I spent a long while trying to figure out who Norm was. When the light bulb finally went on, I baked cookies and had my son give them to him. ( i'm notoriously shy) That started some fun. A little while later my son (5yrs old) decided to scare Norm the mailman. He stood on the other side of our mail box and stuck his head in the box, although hidden by plants and unexpected, Norm saw him, but played along. This was followed by lemonade, smiles and waves.
Next we moved into a house where going to the mail box was more of an adventure. It was an unusually idyllic town. In the winter it could pass for a Norman Rockwell painting. All the buildings on the town circle were beautifully maintained, white and large. Some bricks and black iron gave it some color, along with a few well placed trees. People on my street would walk to work, walk home for lunch and walk back. All to the same company, the town was named after this big brother like company. The main oddity though was the lack of mail boxes. No postman would drive or walk from door to door. Everyone in town had to go to the post office on the circle and retrieve their mail from their own on site mailboxes So, most everyday when it was tolerable out, I'd take the kids and the dog and we'd walk up to the post office.
We had quite a few issues with deliveries though, ordering items through the mail caused a common argument, especially in light of 9/11. They'd ask for my address and I'd give them the PO Box, this was not acceptable. But neither was not getting my purchase, so we'd go round and round again.
Finally in a home with a mail box again I look forward to the short walk down the driveway. As it is, we'll probably never have a Norm again. Hope the new owners of my house treat him well.
Either one of these white mail boxes would go nicely with my white picket fence ( seriously, it came with the house)
The nifty one here is a secure mail box. It is equipped with a cool mechanism that locks your mail so no one, not no how, can get between you and your mail. wish i were that important. :)
When I worked at the Improv I loved the bar glass racks. My job was to serve cocktails in the dark, but whenever the trays of clean glasses came out, I loved to load the glass racks. All the different sparkly sizes of spotless glasses would hang there, locked and loaded for the next rush. No one but the bartender and the waitresses ever really saw how clean they were. The comedy club was dark, pitch dark most of the time, the guests only wanted their alcohol quickly. If I were able to recreate that sparkly look I'd install a hanging wine glass rack. Squeaky clean glasses must take hot hot hot water. If I had a dishwasher maybe I could recreate the look, but alas I am hard on dishwashers. Not sure what happened this time...or any other time, but it's dead. I just am not meant to own a dishwasher. Maybe that whole "law of attraction" thing came into play. Using a dishwasher always seemed so useless to me. Either you wash the dishes or you don't. Rinsing them off is halfway to cleaning them, might as well follow through. Should have considered the glasses. Washing to spotless is not a skill of mine, washing to done is as far as I go.
I've always been the sort of person to leave the doors unlocked. Partly because I trust everyone, but mostly because I don't trust myself to remember my keys when I leave the house. Well, after all that has gone on in the past year, installing a home security surveillance system became necessary. Not because I have much of anything to steal...but because I really need to protect my family. Knowing there is ADT security watching my back is comforting.
The ADT security system is the best home security surveillance system on the market today. I feel a lot safer. What I didn't know before, was that having a security system doesn't end up costing much of anything, since my insurance rates went down and the smoke and carbon monoxide tester is included. Like Linus, I like my blanky. No, I need my blanky.
Ah, fall. This is the time of year when the crazies would hit. A whirlwind of activity would encase my home, getting prepared for the holiday art shows. I still get the email notifications. The applications in the mail. Enticing. I miss the mess.
Packing up for shows, gathering tables and skirts, setting it all up in the backyard to be sure it worked. I've worked with the make shift table set ups but actual, professional Trade show booths will always have a special appeal to me. The ones with the fancy table skirts and banner stands to draw attention to my display. I like playing store. It's like being in kindergarten and setting up the corner shop. Putting on the little apron and taking charge of one tiny little corner of the world.
This year my products are tucked away in the attic. There will be no trade shows, art fairs, craft extravaganzas to race off to this year. The nifty ol' pipe and drape systems will have to wait for me to come back from the deep. Then we can play again. I'll choose a small booth, with lots of extras. Put the prints on a rack like this great eco friendly bamboo baby. Arrange the small items on the table. Large items on stands. Oh yeah, I'll be back.
( and look, it comes in it's own handy trunk, cute)
Now this is a stuffed animal. Bigbos the wolf, brilliant. So tired of the same ol same ol...webkins, ugh please. Yes, they are marketing geniuses, but I won't succumb. Not even when I saw the vulture. No, keep walking...there has to be toys that look like they were created for the creative child, the one who doesn't have to have everything in their lives revolve around a TV show or computer screen.
I was flipping through this site and said out loud, 'I will be an awesome grandma someday' to which my 15 year old daughter said, well...you could start by being an awesome mom and get me the woolly mammoth. I think that just by having her, at 15 want a woolly mammoth is a clue that I am a great mom! Managed to keep them occupied without thousands of brand names cluttering the house or labeling them with Dora this and Hannah that.
I do have an excuse to purchase a Jellycat toy, my sister in law is expecting...and my little sis is off at college, she'd love a little huggie...and her tastes run quite similar to mine, guess my mom did an awesome job too.
Jellycat, large truffle wooly mammoth, what a sweet little friend to drag around the house, lay on, snuggle with. I can see those tusks doing double duty as teethers too.
The funky little clothing line by appaman is definitely rich old aunt gift material. ( my own kids wear hand me downs and hand mades and are just fine with all that thank you very much ) I do like the lightening bolt polo shirts for boys though, if you absolutely have to dress up at 4, might as well declare to the world, "I'm a fire bolt, watch out"
Lou Lou's Corner has fantastic eco friendly weird wooden toys...funky clothes, creative books, those amazing stuffed animals that are nearly anti stuffed animals...and not a Snuggie or internet ready toy in sight! I did run across a barefoot dreams robe...a real robe, not one to be pulled on backwards and worn out of the house....no, a cuddle up on the couch with a good book robe. yummy! If you cannot easily get up and race to the phone...well so what? Relax, stay comfy, let the machine get it. and finally I leave you with this......
In the unpopular movie, Joe vs the Volcano, Tom Hanks a soul sad hypochondriac learns that he is dying, of a 'brain cloud', he accepts an offer to throw himself in a volcano at a tropical island, and along the way there, learns to truly live.
A brain cloud, I'm thinking that might feel a lot like writer's block. Such a sorry sap place to be. The only time I face the page with nothing to write, is when I have the carrot being dangled in front of my face. Give me a well paid assignment and I freeze, like a deer in the headlamps.
Eventually, I will get the work done. The words will somehow string along and I'll make the deadline and all will be well. But this intermediate time is torture. I make myself sick, literally sick, with wondering what in the world to write that hasn't been done before....and done better.
In the meantime I leaf through my journals for inspiration, pull books off the shelves and surf the internet for something to jump out at me and tell me it's going to be alright. Flipping around today I stumbled on another one of those how to make money blogging sites thinking there would be a magic trick to blogging for money and allowing me to just write. Blogging isn't a problem, free wheel thinking, throwing this and that out there, writing like I talk, that I can do.
You Say Too is the website I stumbled on, it had some excellent blogs on their and so, of course, I flipped through some of them...for ideas of course, anything to spark this frozen brain...no. All it did was make me realize how very prolific those bloggin fools are and how very cloudy I am. The site itself has a money making premise, something about revenue sharing, which I'm sure will sound good once I jump in a volcano.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
I was raised by artsy folk, who instilled in me a general disregard for child centered places that catered only to children. Chuckie Cheese like establishments being only the beginning of the madness, everyday it seems there are more and more expensive places willing to take your money or
host your child's birthday party.
My children get invited to many of these artificial events, some are worse than others. Cattle like prodding to get through the precisely laid out schedule, smile and for goodness sake, have fun.
I selfishly want to enjoy taking my kids on adventures, open their eyes to a bigger world and do it in a way that doesn't sacrifice a week's pay. If you are with me so far, check out these little known gems Cleveland has to offer families. Not all are free, but they all offer world expanding culture geared to children without shutting the adults out of the fun.
Playhouse Square tops my list for two reasons. Not only do they have an excellent children's theater program, four shows for $40. Their membership package offers even better deals and gives kids a connection to the theater, meeting cast members and preshow parties.
It is also a little known fact that they offer free backstage tours. Children and adults will be enthralled at the grand inner workings of the theater. This is something that will inspire both you and your children. This is a great place to start; if your kids are sparked by the magic of the theater, then you can go back for more. Playhouse Square has a lot to offer.
Another off the beaten track tour that you can take your kids happens twice a year. On the Saturdays of Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office opens the lower deck of the Veteran's Memorial Bridge to the public.
The self guided tour is free and very cool. Walk over an open steel grid, 100 feet in the air. Not a tour for the youngsters, but this would be loved by preteens on up, especially if you hand them a camera to capture all the fantastic images of Cleveland.Now, for some relaxing fun, take the kids to the Hershey Children's Garden at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. This is another place where it pays to become a member. The Children's Garden is full of amazing natural discoveries, a tree house, interactive fountain and so much sheer
beauty. Adults: $7, Children (3-12) $3, under 3 are free. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10-5pm and Sunday 12-5pm. Wednesdays they are open until 9
Note: They are also open Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day
Another magical place to visit nearby is the Rockefeller Greenhouse (750 E.88th Street Cleveland) nothing flashy or fancy here, no giant ball pits or giant talking animals to entertain you, just a lovely place to walk around and soak in all the beauty. Without spending a dime, the Rockefeller Greenhouse is free, as well as the parking. It is open daily, weekends and holidays from 10 am - 4 pm.
The Cleveland Botanical Garden also offers some interesting programs such as the Great Lake Erie Boat Float. You can register to build a boat out of plastic bottles. Admission is your own plastic boat to float in Lake Erie. Go to their website for more info and boat building instructions.
Of course there is always the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. I say that with love, we have been members of the zoo since my kids were very little. 2 trips in a year paid for itself, and since we try to go once a month a membership is more than worth it. http://www.clemetzoo.com/ $60 a year isn't bad at all for twelve trips with a large family.
They offer a number of fun events throughout the year and now that they opened the Center for Zoological Medicine, my kids are even more interested to go and see what animal the veterinarians are working on that day. Last time we visited, a bat was having its blood drawn for testing.
Cleveland also has a wide variety of ethnic and artsy festivals year round. Such as Parade the Circle, a free June University Circle event that is an explosion of creative fun. I personally know a teenaged stilt walker that participates every year, for the past 9 year. She's a wonder to behold as her stilt's get higher and higher each time.
The Hessler Street Fair is another University Circle event that occurs in May. Both draw large crowds and have loads to see, do and experience.
The Waterloo Arts Festival located in the Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood, also draws a crowd and offers kids plenty of hands on activities free of charge. There are so many more festivals and parades check out the weekly paper for local listing and get out there! Clevelander's need to take advantage of all the amazing cultural opportunities we have in our city.
Finally if you really feel like offering your kids to an indulgent treat....take them to b.a.Sweetie Candy Company, 7480 Brookpark Rd. Cleveland , the largest candy store in the US. You'll find every sort of candy imaginable here, a real Willie Wonka experience. Watch their eyes
light up.
Open Monday - Friday 9-7 pm, Saturday 10 - 6 pm and Sundays 11-4 pm
Did you know, Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum is located in Myrtle Beach? I did not know this, but I do believe it. This museum of oddities would be mighty cool to check out. Not only that, but the Myrtle Beach Art Museum has a new exhibit paying tribute to Southern authors like Alice Walker....Faces and Stories: Portrait of Southern Writers....nice. And the Carolina Opry Theater, two hour entertainment phenomenon, fun for the whole family ( according to the website)
All this information is just convincing me it's time for a vacation! I checked out Mrytle Beach Resorts ...again...and came up with even better rates. I am a freelance writer, I can write from anywhere right? Right. The Prince Resort has the best Myrtle Beach accommodations I've seen yet. ( and the pier is to die for) The website has winter rates at the Myrtle Beach Resort...monthly rates, that are less than my mortgage. uh huh.
just keep writing, just keep writing....i'll get down there, yes i will.
Ugh, not sick, but not well, thought it might be my thyroid acting wacky again, but the medicine is at the right dosage, apparently. There has been a lot dumped on my shoulders over the past year ( as some of you know...and have had to listen to all the drama!)
Looking around, I came across Somatic Therapy....... curious.
The website says this kind of therapy can help with depression, chronic fatigue and residual effects from accidents among a list of other nasties. They offer a free consultation.....keep ya posted.
Just checked my recent statistics on my online articles, and it seems that my "boots for fall" is a hit. Nice. It just goes to show you all those times I told my writing students to 'write what they know' or 'write about what you love' is true.
If you caught me on the street and asked me point blank if I loved shoes, I'd laugh and say no, of course not. I'm not one of those girls who has to buy a new pair of shoes to make her happy. But, truth be told, I do love the shoes I have. Most were found for ridiculously low prices, or at a thrift store even. I like myself a good deal, yessiree.
Last week I found my daughter a pair of Candies sneakers brand new at a thrift store, for $3.00 and a pair of adorable pink cowgirl boots, Bass $5.00...and that would have made me happy just as it was. Finding nearly new, brand name shoes in her size at a store no bigger than my living room was clearly a good find. But what was that peaking out from under the shelf? A pair of size 8, chunky high heeled green mary janes. Oh my. not a scuff mark on them either. I slipped them on just to be sure they really were my size and ahhh, perfection. Black shoes are generally not my style, I would have walked right by the same shoe in black. But green, that's sealed the deal. Three pairs of brand name shoes for under $13.00. (and I only had $15 in my purse)
There is an art to this sort of shopping. It's such a hit or miss sort of deal. All the way home I kept thinking, what are the odds that those three pairs were all in the right size, color and style. I didn't mention, my daughter specifically asked for blue tennis shoes...and not more than a week earlier we had been looking for boots online, since she wants to be a cowgirl for Halloween. Pink boots to go with this outfit...
People talk about the art of intention and expecting to find what you need, I believe in prayer, and asking for what you want. Somehow this must have played into the events of the day without consciously pleading for anything.
This sort of thing happens all the time. A few years back I had written in my journal or some notebook..a list of things I wanted or needed or something. ( I'm always writing out lists) and had put red converse down. I have a thing for red shoes and really like converse...anyways. A week or so later I found a pair, for a dollar. They were in the original box, my size, only pair of converse...and red.
As a pisces, we are supposed to be ruled by our feet. There must be something to that.
Do I love shoes? No, but I love my shoes and the stories behind them.
It's like I'm building my faith, philosophy and wardrobe all at the same time.
In doing some research for an article assignment, I came across a saved page on my computer, fashion rocks Rock and pop culture inspired clothing from indie designer Idil Vice. I love this stuff! Dresses galore, with the original Woodstock poster image, The Beatles, I love Lucy, Elvis and Elvis Costello (my personal favorite Elvis) even a Metallica dress. Her clothing isn't cheap, dresses run around $100, but it looks better than a concert T, yet with the same effect.
I didn't know this until today, she has a superstar following, Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Paris, Sarah Jessica Parker, Erykah Badu and even Carrie Underwood.
Which brought to mind my favorite blogger/artist French Toast Girl http://www.frenchtoastgirl.com/about.shtml
So I drew on my napkin...
Eating french toast calls for maple syrup
Which made me think of going to the apple farm as a little girl
Mom would always buy me, one maple candy
I saw a recipe for maple candy just last week.
here it is;
2 cups maple syrup
1 tbsp butter
maple leaf molds
1. Prepare your molds by spraying them with nonstick cooking spray. 2. Pour the syrup into a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. The syrup will boil quite a bit, so you want to have a saucepan large enough so that it will not easily boil over the top. 3. Insert the candy thermometer and add the butter to the syrup, stirring to incorporate. 4. Bring the syrup to 240 degrees (soft-ball stage) and remove from the heat. 5. Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes, then beat with a wooden stick until it thickens, lightens in color and turns opaque, 3-5 minutes. Stop stirring once it reaches this point, because you do not want it to set completely in the pan. 6. Spoon the candy into your molds and smooth the tops. 7. Allow to set for 5-7 minutes, then pop out of the molds.
This is the amazing piece of art I bought at the Pop Shop this past weekend, by owner Rich Cihlar. love this piece, it's heavy and powerful and made of stone, gotta love that.
There is a lot said about the symbolism of the elephant, in Asian culture, in mythology, in the study of dreams....
"The symbolism of Elephant is ancient... Ancient Power, Strength and Royalty, Strength of the Feminine: The Child, the Woman, and the Wise Woman (Matriarchal Head of Family). The Importance of Family, Fertility, Sexual Power,Discrimination, Clouds and Illusion, Elephant is the totem of the greatest of warriors, denoting royalty, inner strength and nobility. Elephant carry messages of transformation and spiritual power. Elephant can teach the adult how to play with others again and thereby restore lightness and laughter to his life."
I had the thrill of selling art yesterday at the Pop Shop show. The whole experience was a thrill, there was alot of energy in that room. A packed out, one night only show, with every piece going for only $50, will do that to a crowd. Seeing the 'sold' red marks on half the paintings only an hour into the show, made for a bit of a frenzy at the check out....I wanted a particular piece, but was beat to the punch, so I bought my next choice. Talked to the girl who bought my 'coffee blues' piece, she's a barrista with a music degree, perfect. I'm so happy it found a good home. Then I saw more pieces sold off my online sites.....thrilling.
After all that, I went to see my favorite band play...and was uncomfortable in the crowd...people were nice enough, but the awkwardness was overwhelming and so I left, feeling out of place in a familiar and almost comforting sort of way, as if I was 15 again.
All this reminded me of a line in one of my poems....'nightmares are jealous of dreams come true'...a jealous nightmare is fierce.... so i'm reposting this poem....while i sit here and realize, the 'who' that i am, really hasn't changed much....my likes and wants and needs as well as my fears and personality quirks are much the same as they were way back when....when the dreams were just dreams and the nightmares, just nightmares...now the dreams are reality .....and the nightmares want revenge....
disconnected
bullies aren't always bluffing all the king's horses never could open a tube of super glue all the king's men think duct tape can save the world nightmares are jealous of dreams come true a jealous nightmare is fierce glitter never decomposes had a dream about the talking gecko, he is very wise what is it about being small and green, first Kermit, then Yoda.... friends who can refrain from saying, i told you so, are precious emotional states need travel guides, accurate maps and translators squeezing eyes tight, covering ears and singing real loud is tried and true la, la, la , la....you can't see me, you don't even exist..... being a mess is liberating in a way smile real big at a perfect stranger today, it's fun
~
wink if you're brave
only strangers are allowed to be perfect by the way
At first glance this post has nothing at all to do with art, poetry or story....but follow along, everything connects eventually.
A couple months ago, I decided it would fun to try roller derby..and just my luck a brand new league was just being formed, nearby too. So I went to the intial meeting, gave my two cents and signed up.
Wasn't too sure how I'd do on four wheels, it had been a while since I gave those a spin, and I'm really not a violent person, in fact I tend to apologize for any slight, real or imagined. Then there was the little detail of really not knowing how the game was played exactly, the rules or techniques. But all that wondering was unnecessary, this group of girls is simply fantastic. Comprised of some newbies like me, 'the short bus' as we are lovingly referred, and the retired Burning River Roller Girls, who take the time to break down the skills and put us through all the drills that burn our muscles the next day.
Another concern of mine was buying equipment, good skates, wheels, bearings, tools, helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards..all that adds up, quick. I really had no plan there, just a wait and see attitude. Amazingly, one of the girls brought her old stuff to the second practice, had me try them on and ta da, sold! I bought the whole sh'bang for a steal and owe her big time for being so generous.
We are Northern Ohio wRECk Roller derby, officially official now. Which means we all need derby names, I thought I was covered with Shan*Rocks ( the * is a shamrock, see first picture of me in my helmet) But, alas, it's not so easy. Apparently we need to register our names, and it has to be different than any other flat track derby girl in the country. Soooooo, after reading the list of names, I've settled on a few possibilities. Being a fairy tale, mythology loving, risk taking, curious chick...i'm thinking "Shandora" .... since Pandora is one of my favorite stories...
Here's a quick refresher, and my favorite take on the story .... she was totally set up by Zeus.
He gave her the gift of curiousity and sent her off with a clay vessel to deliver to Epimetheus, telling her not to open it along the way. Zeus was offering the lovely Pandora to Epimetheus as a gift, something gods could get away with, apparently.
Hera, Zeus' wife overhears the plan and gives Pandora the gift of hope as well. She sensed some trickery afoot. Hera was hip to Zeus and his deception and meddling ways, let's just say it wasn't the first time.
Pandora opens the vessel of course. Evidently, the pot contained despair and dark notions, which were now let loose on the world. Thank goodness gal pal Hera added hope to the mix, counteracting the despair in the vessel.
I like to open every single jar, door, invitation, book, nook and cranny that catches my fancy...hence roller derby ..and even my wild roller coaster ride of an art career....we are here to try it all on for size, every adventure, encounter and experience!
Meet Oksana. She's my fancy Russian dancer bird. Her pretty black eyes are hidden under her fluffy feather do.
Feather boa hair is my favorite. Someday, when i'm old, i think i'd like to sport a feather boa do too...blue to match my eyes, although a "blue haired old lady" is sort of cliche', so I may reach for the pink, bring some color to my pale Irish skin.
Sesame Street and the Muppets first brought feather boa hair to my attention of course. I've always loved how it moved. It's happy hair.
Growing up, one of my career aspirations was to work for Jim Henson's Creature Shop or at the very least create on my own terms like he did...and a couple decades later...I do. I like to think my "Creativity Explosion!" classes are my own sort of Creature Shop, on a very small scale, but mine. This week they start back up and I can't wait to throw new materials at the kids and see what new creatures grow!
(speaking of materials, except for the glue, everything else from the coat hanger legs to the newspaper body, to the paint and yes even the feather boa was recycled, or repurposed....seeing what I have and challenging myself to make something out of it is more of an economic decision rather than an enviromental choice, but it works on both levels!)
Aren't these just the cutest things! Okay, I am a little biased, being their mama and all, but these are turning out great. They stand on their own, not the easiest feat, and are made out of 90 % recycled materials, coat hanger wire, junk mail, newspaper, old homework papers and plastic grocery store bags... the glue is the only supply I had to buy. Between all the sculptures I've been turning out and the shipping off of sold items, I'm happy to report the amount of trash on the curb has gone down considerably. Which, not only is good for the environment, but me too, lugging trash cans to the curb in the snow is just not my favorite thing to do.
These little fellows will soon be covered with paint and this and that and will be unveiled here first, so stay tuned!
I'm enjoying these symbolic animal paintings...the map under mister octopus here is of Oceanica, including Japan, Hawaii, Australia and other islands and ocean. Seemed appropriate to put an enormous octopus over it all. This summer I bought an octopus necklace and so, had already done a little research on its symbolic meaning...before I put it on, sorta wanted to know what the animal stood for, just in case there was some odd hidden meaning and I was woefully out of the loop..... but, I love the idea of mystery and wonder.
"As a creature of the water the octopus holds animal symbolism pertaining to: Purity Psyche Motion Emotion Fluidity Intuition Creativity Flexibility
Pretty tree lady is done, set in her night scene and ready to head off to the gallery. The box she's in was handmade by the boys, ( i'm training them well, huh?) It's a solid wood box complete with strong wire attached to the back to hang on the wall. These forest creatures were so fun so make, I already have another little creepy army of them getting ready for their paper skins and adornments.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
"COFFEE JAZZ" I'm finally happy with this pesky painting! It's been hanging out in the corner of my studio for the past year, just waiting for some love. I added a little here, covered up a little there and painted the sides solid black, instead of the red that they were, and ta da, I like it.
A few of my favorite things, coffee, music, flowers and vibrant colors...
(because of the heavy shellac finish, it doesn't photograph well, so I tried to take a side view to cut the glare.)
ta da, Coffee Jazz is out of the corner and off the floor finally!
