noisy night

I was up late last night revelling in a thunder and lightening display. Luckily, there was also quite a bit of rain.

I turned out the lights, turned off the television, opened the blinds, sat in my recliner, and enjoyed!

Naomi and I are strangely addicted to thunder and lightening. I remember the time we were trapped in the gazebo that Bud and Elaine had at the edge of Lake Waubesa. The winds were so wild that we didn't dare take the chance to walk back up to the house for fear of falling branches. Tornado warnings were out and the winds were so fierce that the rain actually flew through the screens parallel to the ground. We were planning to sleep out there, so we had a sleeping bag. We huddled in the sleeping bag with our faces wet, singing and telling stories and just enjoying the fact that we were alive. Every once in a while we would flash our flashlight back at the house so Bud and Elaine would know we were still ok. The power of unleashed nature is fantastic.

I realize that for some people being caught in the power of unleashed nature is far from fun. We could mention those who lived through Katrina, for one example. Because I have not been injured or made homeless by nature, I suppose my attitude is slightly unrealistic.

We have weathered fierce storms when we were camping in tents. We were herded into storm shelters at the campground, or once we got in the car and drove far enough away to be out of harm's way. Then, in the morning, we took all of our stuff in to the laundramat to be run through the drier!

Once we came back to find our tent twisted so that we had to replace the aluminum pipe superstructure to keep going on our trip. We dried out all of our stuff on the grass and George went and finally found a pipe fitter guy who would replace the supports. (dar un jeito, as they say in Brazil). Peter was 11 and John was four. They were very relieved to find that we could continue on our trip. Such fantastic memories. I LOVE CAMPING.

There are those who quiver in fear at the very sound of thunder in the distance. My friend Bev is an example. She was raised in Oklahoma where the tornadoes are fierce. She was terrified of any wind storm. But I am just energized by the sound.

When George was young, his friend had a black lab named Pokey. (short for Pochahontas) That dog was simply terrified by thunder. One day, after a warning rumble, she catapulted herself through the front screen door and made for under a bed. The screen door was closed at the time, but that was no impediment to her! I wonder what she would have done if the inside door was also closed?

Are you scared by storms or energized by them? I think my Viking blood is fired up by danger. The wildness of the weather is so beautiful.

odds and ends

I have lots of odds and ends of thoughts this morning. We just got back from church and have heard a great sermon. There was a Persian saying mentioned that I have to get so I can share it with you all. In due time. Marcia said Isaac called and said "hi" to me. Yippee. I have really missed his blogs and his comments. Glad you're ok, Izzy!

About my last blog... Maybe you could tell me what your three favorite things are in a comment. You don't have to say what they mean about you, but just mention what they are. That would be fun.

I have also been thinking about how much more there is to a life than those favorite things. All of the other things that fill up your life with vigor and fun. The favorite things illustrate the core, but there are all the other things that make the life sing.

The list could actually be endless. The idea of the favorite things should free me up to start weeding out some of the stuff that I don't give a hoot about anymore. At one time, I suppose the stuff seemed important, but now I have moved on and don't have interest in it anymore. The trouble is, it's lots of work to get rid of stuff. Lots of it is valuable and can't just be tossed in the rubbish bin. Where can I get rid of it in an appropriate way?

But it would be marvelously freeing. Stay tuned.

My Favorite Things

Well. Donna T. was at a dinner party where one of the guests asked them to think of what were three of their favorite things and what they thought that meant about them.

When I got home from this conversation with Donna, I thought, OK - what about me? What are my three favorite things. Right away I thought about the angel and the pig, and then - because of the toasting of the marshmallows, I suppose - I thought of the little fork. I put in the picture of the three forks to try to give some idea of the size of these artefacts. There is the serving fork, the dinner fork, and then, the pickle fork. The pickle fork is small and it is the favorite thing.

For many years I collected angels. Crystal angels, stained glass angels, each angel more magnificent than the last. Then my friend Kathy gave me this little clay angel. I call it my "essence of angel." She/he is holding a humble loaf of bread. Immediately I could stop collecting angels. This was the reason I wanted to collect angels. This angel said it all.

For many years I collected pigs. Pigs on plates, clothes hook pigs, pewter pigs, and then my sister Fran gave me this small clay pig. This is my "essence of pig." I could stop collecting pigs because this was it. This was what I liked about pigs. A pig is the humblest of animals.

And now, the fork. I love this small pickle fork. No frills. Good design. It does what it's supposed to do.

NOW I'm supposed to explain what these three things explain about me. Wow. I think it shows what I like about people and things. I don't like ostentation. I value the inside meaning of people and things. I hate it when people pretend to be richer than they are or smarter than they are or pretend to be "big shots." What we are is enough.

So these three humble objects represent that to me. The inner core of what it is to be an angel, a pig, and a pickle fork. The genuine insides showing forth into the world. May we each be able to show forth our inner beauty as we walk the earth. No more, no less, but only the grace that God has given us. Rock on.

spelling

Actually, the marshmallow was gorgeous, I suppose. If I was gorging on it, I suppose it could have been gorg=ious, but then I would be making up a word, which was not my intention.

I am trying to get a handle on the thousands of mystery books I have... well, at least hundreds. I am contributing many of them to the Coffeehouse Art Center to do some sort of book exchange. We haven't worked out the particulars yet, but Connie Eidem and I are going to do some thinking about it on Monday afternoon to see if we can figure it out.

In one of the books I found a list of words which I had discovered in the book. It is a mystery by T. J. MacGregor. I liked the books, as I remember, in part because of the outrageous vocabulary used. Here goes:

perdurable, splanchnic, recrudescence, crescive, puissant, nacreous, minatory, pelagic, concrescence, sapid, congeries, coruscated, immediacable, nimety, parlous, hypnagogic, ecurient, coriaceous, chatoyant, erubescent, afferent, caliginous, peregrine, inspissated, longiveous, corybantic, divagated, erumpent, imbicated, lacineated, inspissating, and tristful.

Karen and the rest of you: That should give you a bit of work with your dictionaries. I remember vaguely that I knew what some of the words must mean because of their context, but the author went overboard. And it is a mystery how he (or she) got the books published. They were a fun read, as I remember, and I am going to reread them now, just out of curiosity.

Adios, amigos.

Blackened and charred! Yum.

Here is the picture. Gorgious, right?

Now I am going to my studio to paint and putter around. I am not going to have to eat more marshmallows. After all, I went to the gym this morning and had a good talking session.

Marshmallows

I mentioned that we had s'mores while camping. I don't really like s'mores, but I love toasting marshmallows. When I was in high school I spent many a night alone as my folks both worked at night and would come home usually around 10. I got bored, so between studies, I would adjourn to the kitchen for a little fun.

One of the things I loved doing was to light a candle, take out a little fork, and toast marshmallows. Heaven knows how many I would do! I would slowly burn, blow out, burn, blow out, until the outside was thoroughly burnt. I would envelope the marshmallow in my mouth and slip off the outer layer. Then I would proceed to do the same to the remainder. Three sessions was about par for the course, but a brilliant session could result in four. Just imagine how much time I could "burn" with half a sack of marshmallows.

Well, last night I got out the candle, lit it, got a tiny pickle fork, and tried out my expertise. I had enough carbs left to do four without blowing my blood sugar too high. Talk about a walk down memory lane.

Amy is the best toaster I have ever witnessed. She can toast for a long time without burning and without losing the marshmallow into the fire. I have tried to include a picture with this blog, did not succeed, so I will try to do the marshmallow picture tomorrow.

Have a great day!

Okeedokee

Well - I cracked the code. I am so excited. Three pictures. Wahoo. First, Naomi wearing the cap that is a beautiful shade of blue and is embroidered with the words, "Scenic State Park."

Then our fire pit and grill. A chair with George's book hanging on the back.

Then our two tents and the van. It is difficult to see. I think I am done with this now. I actually made three postings today, so be sure you don't give up until you've seen them all. I have made up for all the time when I was gone. We made a joke about being an "under-blogger" if you don't post for a week or more, or an "over-blogger" if you do more than one each day. Today I am an over-blogger! Fer shurrrrr. So nice to be back, but it was lots of fun.

Pictures 2 or more

Here's George eating his breakfast and doing his crossword puzzle. The cook is taking the picture. It only worked to put in one picture. Now I am going to try another. Hope springs eternal.

Picture (s?)

These are the tents of the Brown family. They had a sleeping tent and two screen tents. One screen tent was for cooking and the other for reading and relaxation. They didn't want to be on the shore, but near the rest room. Go figure.

I am going to do another posting, now and try to do more than one picture at the same time to see what happens. Have patience. And realize that this is already the second posting for today.

I'm trying to outwit this machine. We'll see how I do. Stay with me, folks.

Peaceful Lake

Well, as you can see, this place is spectacular. This little lake was all our own for 10 days. It is part of Scenic State Park near Big Fork, Minnesota, about 40 miles north of Grand Rapids. It is a wonderful place to rest and restore equilibrium.

The first part of the stay we were joined by our friends, Wendell and Ruth Brown. Later, after they left, our daughter, two of her friends (Amy and Martin Saar) and their dog Szu Szu joined us. The dog is a Bernese Mountain Dog who is still a puppy and rambunctious. After she got over the joy of being outside the car, she settled right down and enjoyed her stay.

I just added another picture to this blog, but no dice. I wonder where all of those pictures are showing up? Probably on someone else's posting. Oh, well.

We set up a screen tent for the cooking and eating so we don't have to battle the flies. The mosquitoes can be pesty, but the flies are much worse. Then we set up another screen tent for my art supplies. We sleep in the van. Our tenting is right on the lake shore. Fabulous.

I managed to do some painting, and Naomi and Amy had fun trying their hands at it. They loved it and managed to produce some fun stuff. We had campfires. Even some s'mores. A wonderful time for talk and laughter.

Now we are at home putting all of the stuff away. We are tentatively planning another trip up when the leaves are at their peak of fall color. The bugs are not an issue then so we can travel much lighter.

Back from the North Woods

We're back! I supposedly have successfully posted a picture here TWICE, but it isn't appearing. Perhaps half way through this it will do so. It is a mystery.

I have a spectacular picture of the Lake of the Isles up at Scenic State Park which I thought I had posted. However.....

We had a wonderful time and have returned glad to get back to our creature comforts here at home and ready to start up the round of occupations that await us here. Although we are retired, anyone who is retired will tell you that it is only then that you really get loaded down with stuff to do. Because you are retired, everyone presumes you have time for all of the things that need to be done in a community. You must exercise your "no" muscle or you would never have time for relaxation. Luckily, that is one muscle that I HAVE practices exercising.

Speaking of exercising, I can hardly wait to get back to the "It Figures" here in town and see my exercise buddies. I have really missed them.

Monday is my book club. We are discussing "Missing Mom" by Joyce Carol Oates which I had already read earlier. As I have MDD rather than ADD: Memory Deficit Disorder in the place of Attention Deficit Disorder, I reread it. What a powerful and moving story. I am eager to hear my sister readers' take on it.

By my next posting, I hope that my picture posting skills will work again. I will slowly relate the joys of our camping time. We had a wonderful time.

Finally

Well, I finally had success in getting this picture up on my blog, and we finally are ready to head out. Unless I find a computer in a wilderness campng area, this will be the last blog for a bit! Stranger things are happening every day, though, so you never know, I may sneak in a posting.

I am taking my fluid and regular acryllic paints with me. You would not believe how much that entails unless you are a painter yourself. I have some paper and some canvas. And lots of paint. plus brushes, of course, and all kinds of other miscellaneous stuff. Now the brushes will meet the surface and I will have to perform. (That was supposed to be a take-off on "the rubber meets the road.") I can guarantee that one of the things that will happen is that I will desperately need something that is sitting at home in my studio. Too bad.

We opened the windows last night and the air is downright fresh. Wow. What a change. I am so glad as it would have been punishing to have 100 degrees while camping. Be prepared for my tales and pictures when I return.

Almost Ready

I had a great picture of the van and boat I wanted to include with this posting, but the blog master refuses to perform up to expectations. The boat is all packed, the van is ready. We are almost fully supplied with food and our clothes are packed. The fly in the ointment is the garden which needs weeding or it will be a jungle by the time we get back. So we are postponing our leaving until tomorrow.

The relief from the heat wave is simply marvelous. One can breath again and George can get out into the garden. It was too dangerous last week when the temperatures hovered in the 90's, even attaining one 100 plus. So we can just meander tomorrow, leaving rather early.

I gave a talk at the Brush and Palette Club in Alexandria yesterday, introducing the audience to the art of May Stevens. I was fortunate enough to go to her show at the Minneapolis Institute of Art last year. The show will be in the Springfield Art Museum, Springfield, MO from September 15 through November 12, 2006. I do not know if she will be in attendance giving her presentation at the Springfield show, but I was fortunate enough to attend that presentation in Minneapolis. I imagine one could find out via the net. The wonderful net.

I love (why is this still typing in bold, even though I have taken it off bold in the deally up above? Very irritating. I will try again.) I guess I am destined to write in bold for the rest of my life! AAAAAAAAAAAAAGH.

Anyway, I love giving art talks. I have covered the lives of any number of artists. Off the top of my head, Van Gogh, Matisse, Degas, Edward Hopper, Francis Bacon, Paul Klee, Marc Chagal, etc. I notice that I have not done a talk about a woman artist until now. I feel particularly happy because she not only is a woman, but is also a LIVING artist.

Well, back to getting the food organized. I will try to post tomorrow before we go and get the picture of our outfit up.

Yummy

Ok. There is no more glorious meal than a bacon/lettuce/tomato sandwich with a side of corn on the cob. You might argue with that, but I stand firm. When the tomato is the first red jewel from your own garden, the bacon is fried crisp just the way you like it, and the corn is the first wonderful cob from your own garden.... well, there is just nothing to compare.

I sometimes wonder if those great gustatory delights are enough to merit the work of a garden, but when the time arrives to eat, wahoo... I am convinced. Especially since I only cook the produce, I do not maintain the garden. George seems to agree with me, however.

We thought we had planned our camping trip at a time that was early enough not to interfere with the "coming of the corn," but we were mistaken. Because of all the hot weather, the corn is ripening about two weeks ahead of schedule. I'm not sure what we will do, but I am fixated on camping. Period. Stay tuned.

Viking Ship

Cool, cool colors for a hot, hot day! I cross stitched this hanging in 1978. We had been back in the United States for only two years, and I was still mourning the exit from Brazil. I remember sitting and working on this piece, a kit from Norway, with dogged determination. As each part of the puzzle came into being I would feel a bit lighter. By the time it was finished, I felt a good deal better and more happy to be back in the U S of A. This endeavor signaled a return to "being with it" once again.

I love the colors in this piece. It hangs where I see it everyday, and now the kitchen cabinets are also a beautiful teal color. Cool colors are great in the summer... I wonder how it will seem in the winter. Will it seem cold? I imagine it will be fine, as I do love the color, period.

Yesterday I worked up at the art gallery in Battle Lake. It was lots of fun and I worked with a woman whom I only knew slightly before. One of the wonderful things of being part of an art society is the new friendships one forms with people who share some of one's interests.

Today we are trying to get started packing for our camping trip. The way we camp takes lots of preparation. The people who like to go to motels and then eat out are right in one way. It is a lot easier. We got started camping because we couldn't afford other types of vacations, and we discovered that we loved it. The people you meet are great. You are next to nature. It is beautiful and brings up a wonderful feeling of "roughing it."

The thing about having a cabin at the lake. You have money invested in it so you have to take care of it. So when you go for your "vacation" you are honor-bound to go to the cabin. Then you have to work like a dog to keep the place presentable. Some vacation.

When we started camping in 1956, we took a five week camping trip through to the west coast, up the coast and then back through Canada. We stayed in a motel either 4 or 5 nights, I don't quite remember. The trip cost us about $500. We had a blast. There weren't very many other campers at that time. George had built a sort of camp kitchen for the back of our station wagon, and everywhere we camped, the other campers would stop over to ooh and ahh. Another plus with that kitchen is that we could stop at the side of the road and eat our lunch. Just open the back of the station wagon, pull out the kitchen, and there we were.

We had a sort of clunky umbrella tent with the umbrella part inside. George is a great camper. I had never gone camping before, but I was soon completely converted. Who doesn't like camping when someone else does all the work of setting up, etc.? All I am responsible for is the meals. There is one thing about being a perfectionist camper. George can get the tent all set up. It looks perfectly fine to me. He will then proceed to take it all down and move it a few feet to a "better" spot. This has been known to happen more than once during a stay. As long as it keeps him happy, I don't complain. I just comment!

We even camped in Brazil. That was a whole other adventure. Such fun. I'm excited and I should be full of all sorts of tales when I return. I promise photos. And hopefully, paintings.
In a few more days.... Wahoo.

Good Night Shirt!!!!!!!!

This is an expletive that I use when I am excitably dismayed. I got an e-mail from my sister telling me that she had my Tuesday blog but where was my Wednesday blog? I mean, I ask you. The pressure is too much. And then she doesn't even leave a comment to cheer me on my way. As you may have gathered, if you DO read my blog, I REALLY like comments. Ah, well, it shows that she is actually reading my blog and I like that... but I do like comments, too. What will she do while I am camping? She won't have her blog fix. It will be a nice vacation from blogging. That might be good. I will come home all fired up and try to have some good snapshots, etc. I'm sure I will be glad to get back in the saddle again.

I have tons of stuff to do before we set out camping. Getting ready to go, of course. But other things, too. Carol, Nancy and I will be setting up our art exhibit on Sunday afternoon. We are going to call it, "Pastors' Wives are Painters, too (or Three)." Pretty foxy! It should be great fun. on August 29th we will be having an open-house tea thingy from 5-8:30 pm. It is the same night as the openhouse at school, but people like to make two things in one night, so that should be no problem. It will be art by Carol Ulrich, Nancy Lee and I. Should be fun.

Tomorrow I work at the gallery in Battle Lake again. And next Tuesday at 9:30 at the Methodist Church in Alexandria, I give a talk at Brush and Palette Club.. I am going to talk about one of my favorite living artists, May Stevens. I had the privilege of hearing her speak and seeing her show when she was at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

In between these adventures, we must get ready to go on our trip. Going on a camping trip is rather a complicated deal. Meals: "let's keep it simple this year." Supplies: "let's keep it simple this year." Art supplies: "let's make it complicated this year." Sigh. We'll see how it goes.

Off to get ready to go to the gym. I will have to walk when I am on my camping trip. Hopefully.

Imagine a picture of....

a little boy in a swing at the amusement park. The kind that goes around endlessly in a circle. I have such a picture that I am trying to insert in this blog, but the blog is refusing to do its work. Oh, well, you have the idea.

The picture (which I can't show you) reminds me of a trip George and I and our nephews took to Riverfront Amusement Park in Des Moines, Iowa. That must have been at least 45 years ago. They had the same kind of ride only for adults as well as children. I had always loved carnival rides of every kind until that day. Around and around, no change in direction or speed - just around and around. I got sick as a dog and have never gone on a ride since. I do miss the Wild Mouse, the rollercoasters, the bumper cars, oh, the list could be endless. But then I remember that one seige of mal de ride, and I stay with both feet on the solid ground.

Sometimes I think everyday life can be like that ride. It feels as though one is endlessly going around in circles, never arriving, always doing the same old things day after day. That's when a vacation is in order before the barfing starts. If you are retired, it's time for a trip to the northwoods on an art vacation, RIGHT? Absolutely right. I have made up my mind to do the sensible thing. Camping, here we come. Wahoo. No barfing for me. No, sir. I'm going camping.

Say what?

I was just waiting for my own blog to come up so I clicked on a random blog and it had a picture of a refrigerator with the door open. That was basically it. Three pictures of the open refrigerator. Well, it didn't look too interesting. When I get so desperate that that is the picture I have up, you better mount a rescue team. I mean, the refrigerator was even clean and rather organized. Not a bit interesting. No green mold or dried up cheese, or anything. Just a nice refrigerator full of food. Hmmm.

It is a nice hot July Saturday afternoon. I watched the British Open of Golf and then some sort of Tennis tournament - Andy Roddick vs. Genepri. Roddick looks as though he has his mojo back. It evidently is a series of tournaments leading up to the US Open. Fun to watch. I am a rabid tennis fan. As is my sister. Fun for us. We can compare notes and call each other when something is on. Actually, I am usually the one doing the calling. I don't want her to miss a single good match.

I am busy getting my art supplies organized for the camping trip. I am going on an art trip with my husband along to take care of me. I promised him he could take time out occasionally to go fishing. We are going to the north woods... North of Grand Rapids, MN. Those of you who are reading this blog are invited to come along. Get in touch with me for directions. You can get in touch with me by leaving a comment. If you don't know how to leave a comment yet, you are immensely dense. Look back for the post called "Comments" and you will find out how to leave a comment. C'mon - get with the program.

I'm going to head back to my studio for more serious organization of supplies. I will probably get to my favorite spot in the woods, look at the lake and freeze up, unable to paint a stroke. If that happens, I will paint anyway. I promise to share some GREAT paintings with you when I return. Yes, I promise.

The Empty Bench

This painting now has a whole new meaning for me. The brownish thing in the middle of the foreground is my cell phone and the white marks going out from it are the sound of the rings. I am heading for the bench to take the call and talk to whomever is calling me. (Or is it to whoever is calling me? Which takes precedence, the "to" or the "is?" Which is it, the object of the preposition or the subject of the verb? I am way rusty when it comes to grammatical rules. Come on, now, help me out!)

Anyway, I digress. The phone is working great. I can call from inside my home without the blasted antenna, no problem. I have a foldover, so the earphone is near my ear at the same time as the mouthpiece is near my mouth. Fabulous. Now I have to figure out the attributes of this new technical marvel. I think I only want a plain phone, but I have a feeling I will be lured as by Homer's sirens into many new and enticing features. Stay tuned for the adventures of a cell phone novice. Should I use text messaging for a mere pittance per month? How about taking and sending pictures? Or downloading music? Or?????????????? For now, I am determined to do the simple things. We'll see how it goes.

My circle is serving lunch at the funeral service of an old time friend tomorrow. She was struck down by cancer. I can remember when I thought the lunch thing after a funeral was barbaric. I no longer hold that opinion. It is a comfortable setting for old friends to get together and remember the life of the deceased. A time for crying, a time for laughing.. a spin-off of the old wake. A nice way to comfort one another at the absence of a friend in this world, and a send-off into the next.

Karen l left a message that her brother Gary has just discovered he has cancer. She asks for our prayers. Will do. Such young people. Another young woman called home and asked for prayer on our prayer chain for a friend... a young woman who was planning to marry in September, found she had cancer of the adrenal glands, and is in hospice care. Oofta.

I hope they will soon find a way to prevent cancer altogether. There are a few bright signs on the horizon, but how far in the future is the horizon? That's the question. When one achieves my ancient age, the thought that I will die fairly soon from something is not shocking. I try to keep track of my health as best I can, take all the medicines prescribed for me, exercise, eat right, etc. But the fact is, my earthly life cycle will inevitably come to a close, and fairly soon. Every one else's will also do the same thing sooner or later. 100%.

As someone said, "I don't fear death, but I do fear dieing." The passage can be painful or sudden, we don't know. I feel very fortunate that I have faith so that I have the strength to face the future knowing I am not alone. The Good Shepherd is with me.

A different subject: Ok, you guys who have my cell phone number - call me. That little item is on and in my pocket just waiting for your call. Take care.

The beach

I like the soothing effect of water washing endlessly up onto the beach. There was a program on the History Channel tonight warning of the devastating effect Tsunamis could have on the West Coast. But for now, the beach is tranquil.

I have had an interesting few days. A sort of strange mixture of soothing times and stressful times. I was very excited to get back to the gym and have lots of talk and exercise with my friends. And then I took on the challenge of signing up for a new cell phone. I don't know why I chose today to do it, but I was convinced that I should get it done. Sigh. One of the things about my old cell phone was that it didn't work at my house. For some reason that was just a dead spot. The new one was purported to have circumvented that problem because it was reading the signals from a CDMA tower, while the old one was reading the signals from a TDMA tower. Got that? Well, I'm afraid it's a bunch of hooey and I'm signed up for a two year contract. I'm sure the phone will be fine, but I will still have to use the antenna. I should have smelled a rat, as they were so good to point out that my antenna would fit in the new phone. Well... we'll see how it goes. mutter, mutter.

It is always stressful getting to know new technology. At the phone store, I waited patiently because their printer wouldn't print. Luckily I had a book along with me so waited without stress. I always try to carry a book with me exactly for this type of emergency. I should have charged them by ten minute segments for waiting time which would have gone to alleviate some of my feelings of ire about the antenna use. Oh, well. mutter, mutter.

In my next posting I will undertake a critique of the new phone. I will have gotten past the necessity for the antenna on to other attributes. Hopefully that will be the only drawback.

Truck upright

I promised you a picture of the upright truck after the amazingly wonderful snapshot of the underpinnings. My world is brightly lit and upright. The heat of the day is not overpowering. We have just enough airconditioning to render life possible. All is well. Here in our little corner of the world, all is well.

The horrendous uproar in other parts of the world is unsettling. I look back over my life and it looks so serene. I'm sure I have had a few times when someone would like to throw a punch or two. They didn't do so because I am rather fierce when aroused and would probably fight to the death in return. It's amazing how effective that look is. The look that says, "Ok, fella, bring it on. I will never give up. Be prepared." It is off-putting, that fight to the death look. Especially when I really would... fight to the death.

But this only happens if someone attacks me first... or threatens to attack me or mine. I never would go on the offensive against some innocent person. Never.

One of the most interesting occasions in my life was the encounter I once had in St. Cloud with a young man who was approaching me in an isolated spot. I had separated from my friends to go to a store for larger sizes, and was walking to meet them at a restaurant. The man was slanting across the street toward me. I had a bad vibe.

Without thinking, I walked toward him and said, "It's been so long since I've seen you! Be sure to say hello to your mother!"

He took one amazed look at me and took off running. I've often wondered at this action of mine. It was entirely nonvolitional and unplanned. But it certainly worked. If he had been innocent, he would have said, "Do I know you?" Not run off. I think by introducing my script, I threw his script out the window and he couldn't think on his feet fast enough, so he just ran away.

I was lucky, pure and simple. Perhaps God gave me a nudge. For whatever reason, it worked. I would not recommend it to others!

But I am powerless to affect the mayhem in the world. I hate feeling powerless. So I guess I will just try to stay alive in my small peaceful niche, do my painting, write my blog, and stand upright by the truck.

No such luck

Well, no rain for us. It went north of us and south of us, but not at us. Evidently it didn't like it that we looked prepared. The picture scared it off. Do ya suppose? Right.

Today I am just staying in the house painting and keeping cool and reading and resting. A great day. George is out golfing... right through the heat of the day. He should be having a good time though with Jeff, Paul and Kelly. The old gang catching up on all the news. I just hope he keeps cool enough. Then he can come home and take a nice long nap in our cool house in his recliner.

I got a much appreciated phone call from Karen this morning. She has been having a good week in Kentucky. They are on their way home to their new house. I wonder if the new place feels like home yet. It might take a while. It is such a beautiful place I know they are going to love living there, but it takes a while for it to feel comfy!

We are going to meet at the gym next week Tuesday. (Saturday is ARt Studio Tour and Sunday I work at the gallery. I am meeting a new friend and and paint with her right there at the gallery. That should be interesting. Monday I have book club and we are reading Night of the Radishes by Sandra Benitez. I liked it a lot. Carol J said she didn't think the writing was very good. I will be interesting to hear our discussion and find out what she didn't like about it. I will try to remember to report.) But Tuesday is Gym Day and boy will we be talking up a storm!

Have a good day and keep cool!

Rain

Remember the childhood ditty, "Rain, rain, go away, come again another day?" Well, this is the day I want it to come. Fat chance. Our beautiful six foot tall corn is going to be fried if we don't have some rain soon. I picked this picture trying to give the sky a gentle hint. We'll see if it will work! Prayer is a better idea. Although I do like this picture and picked it especially. It can't hurt.

I promised you the web address of Greta's Pepy (Protect the Earth, Protect Yourself) group: http://www.pepyride.org Fabulous outfit to read about and support as you are able.

I plan to go to the gym today and call up to get a hair appointment. My hair is out of control. Way too long and bushy. I think I will go to Alex and get a hair cut and go to an airconditioned coffee house and read. Yes, that's my plan. I'll let you know if I actually accomplish it. The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley... or something. Poor old Robby Burns is remembered for the strangest things. But at least he is remembered!

Hi There!

It's so much fun to choose these pictures at random. This picture of childhood glee should make the day for all of us!

The weather is supposed to be brutally hot for the next few days. The absence of rain is already being felt in the condition of the gardens and grass. Our corn, however, is extraordinarily tall. Rather than being knee high by the fourth of July, it was six foot tall, at least. Phenomenal.

I hope to get to the gym today. However, with my pals not in attendance, it is a bit off putting to go. I think I get more from the fun talk at the gym than I do from the exercise, although the exercise is essential, according to my doctor. Laughing and talking about this and that is therapeutic for me. I leave feeling all pumped up and rarin' to go. When silence reigns supreme, I leave a bit downcast. I miss youse guys.

Yesterday I got my cake made early. Angel food cake with whipped cream, peach slices and lemon sauce. Yummy. Everyone seemed suitably stuffed. I made everything (but the cake) with Splenda (tm) so I could eat it, too. Double yummy.

We met at a beautiful home on the north shore of Lake Clitherall. Part of its interest is a lighthouse that has been there for many years. It has a widow's walk way up high. The view was entrancing. Lots of fun talk. As you are detecting, talking is high on my list of desirable activities. Yada, yada, as Seinfeld would say.

Well. Into survival mode. How to beat the heat, Episode One, tomorrow.

Looking at Life

When you're depressed you are looking at life this way. Hard to make sense of what is happening and everything is rather distorted. This is a picture taken of a truck while lieing underneath it. Absolutely accurate, but the view is unusual and not helpful for living the everyday life of the ordinary person.

As you can see, I am desperately seeking subjects for this blog. This was another random picture choice and a picture taken by my son to show him one of the steps of putting a running board on his new truck. Stay tuned and you will probably be seeing another view of the truck.

Greta gave a talk at our ladies' meeting yesterday about the work in Cambodia by her group, Pepy Ride (which has morphed into Pepy and Pepy Tours). Absolutely fascinating to see what a couple of young women have accomplished with an idea that has mushroomed into a well established tax exempt charity. If you want to check it out, go to their web page. I will include it in the next blog entry, as I can't stay on this one and look at hers. I would put it as a link, but I have to wait for Naomi to come to do that, I'm afraid. She showed me how, but you know how that goes!

I am going to try to go to the gym today, but I am also baking an angel food cake early before the temperature gets too high, so we'll see if I get done soon enough. I suppose I could go at a different time, but habit dies hard.

My parting advice is stand upright to look at life! (Unless you're an automotive mechanic.)

Say what?

Writing a blog sometimes weighs heavy on the spirits of the blog writer. For the last few days I have just had nothing to say. I know some of you find that difficult to believe, but nevertheless.. there you are.

I went to a series of pictures which are labelled with numbers and no descriptive material and just picked one at random, and this is the picture which came up. A picture of super gardener and superboy. It was glorious having our son and grandson here for two weeks, and this is one of the pictures which was captured. Great.

I am working once again at the art gallery at Battle Lake today. The Art of the Lakes Gallery is a collection of more than 100 artists who have a club and a gallery. Our mission is to support the arts in the area while offering many services to the young. Right now we are sponsoring a project at the BL school where the local kids are painting a huge mural on the wall of the all purpose/lunch room. We have two professional guiding artists and are hoping for a response from the kids. It has often proved difficult to find those kids who are interested in the arts and are able to commit a day or two to painting. I will report on the response later.

Another project we are doing as an art club is painting two benches for people to sit on on the main street. We are going to paint them as an homage to Van Gogh... Should be a blast. I hope to be involved in the painting.... if I am in the neighborhood at the proper time. I will try to include a picture of those benches when they are done.

It also is time that I should shuffle the paintings I have hanging in the BL gallery for some new ones. But which paintings? Hmmmm. I will give it some thought.

Take care and have a good day. Our weather is supposed to be very hot here, so keep cool.

THE 4th

Today is the actual day. We went to the fire hall to see the time capsule unearthed from the 1981 Centennial celebration. There was nothing in it from Naomi's class, although she and her class mates have definite memories of putting things in a time capsule. I think the important word there is "a" time capsule. They have the idea it was done in 1983 and buried in the park. We are definitely on the scent of THAT time capsule.

This one was very wet although every precaution had been taken to keep water OUT. It was evidently caused by moisture already in the paper, sealed in plastic and subject to the changes of temperature. Condensation, perhaps??? We have to do some research on the whys and wherefores before we bury another. Perhaps we will get in touch with the State Historical Society for some hints. At the moment, our discussion has come up with the idea of sealing each group of papers in one of those vacuum pack plastic sacks that people put meat for the freezer in. But would that do it? Do you have any suggestions?

The deal was a disappointment to Naomi and her class, but some of the other "kids" found things that they had written. Many of them were surprisingly readable, although damp. When they dry out, they should be ok.

It was great to see people we hadn't seen for a while. Some of the "kids" I had taught in high school. We took pictures and chatted a bit. The weather is great, although I got too hot and had to head for home and some water. Many people got sun burned the day of the parade. We have to remember to put on sun screen. At least in the heat of the day there usually are no mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are simply fierce this year in early morning and late afternoon. Oofta and double oofta.

I will write more another day. Now for a snooze.

Festivities

Please notice that Naomi and John Ya Ya (Naomi and Tony's dog) are here for a visit. She is responsible for the fact that on the right hand side of this blog there are now LINKS! Wow. She showed me how to do it, but I doubt I can replicate her motions, so for now, these are the available links.

Our small town is in full swing. There are myriad events planned for today including parades, meals, tractor pulls, co-ed volleyball tournament, men's slowpitch softball tournament, church service, Garden Club flower show,bed races, money in the straw, dunk tank, pedal pull, bounce house, food vendors, giggle the clown, pony rides, horse drawn wagon rides, petting zoo, live entertainment. I am going to take part this evening in the variety show. I will be reading my poem, "Fly -Mania." Wahoo.

After the variety show there will be a baseball game and watermelon feed... and then the main event! The fireworks!!!

Today I will be sitting the Coffeehouse Art Center so people can meander in and look over the art and artefacts we have collected. The parade will go past so I can watch it, too. George will be riding on the American Legion float... A fine time will be had by all but John Ya Ya, who will have to stay home. Poor baby. Ah, well.. there is always someone who must suffer. Right. I'll tell you tomorrow how it all went. The little kids should have a blast.

Storm

Last night was a monumental display of the power of nature. A thunderstorm rolled over us with all the accompanying noise and play of light. The big trees around us waved and tossed themselves in unbelievable contortions. When it was all over, there were only a few evidences of its passing. A few branches and lots of leaves. Our back yard neighbor's trampoline has moved about 100 feet to the east, but seems to be no worse for the trip.

The art display is hung down at our local Coffeehouse Art Center and the memorabilia is slowly coming in. We have found out that we have lots and lots of closet artists in our area. And we are also fortunate to have paintings that our citizens have painted in years past. It is an awesome collection. By now, the garage sales people are busily selling their wares. Some of them are a bit sodden, I would imagine, after the rain. Human nature being what it is, a few intrepid souls must have put things out last night in preparation for today.

If you noticed the comments that my "comment" post engendered, you will now know that there are two people named Karen who are going to be leaving comments (hopefully). As you have noticed by now, I love comments! One is just Karen and the other Karen l. That is Karen L but the l is in lower case. I hope that Barb will soon have courage and leave a comment. C'mon, be brave! Now that your computer is back up and running again.

And, Fran, I am overjoyed that you left a comment. Keep up the good work! Think of us and our celebration this weekend. You will have plenty to keep track of where you are! I have this picture in my head of you with your dark glasses and binoculars keeping track of all the building activity around you. Have a great 4th!

Comments

Ok. My sister is trying to figure out how to leave a comment. This is my instruction. See if some of you can follow it, and see if she is a good student and can do so as well. Then we can see what kind of instructions I can write!

On my blog, at least, you will not confront the crazy letters. Thank goodness. First, you take your mouse and you left click on the notation "comments" at the bottom of the post. (FYI: You left click with your index finger as you hold the mouse in your right hand. )You remove your hand from the mouse and wait a moment for the computer to comply with your command! On the page that is revealed to you, a blinking line should be in the box on the right hand part of the page with a space for your comment, which you should proceed to write. When you are finished, take the mouse and, if you have a blog, you would sign in with that information or not, as you please. If you do not have a blog, you would point your mouse arrow at either the little round dot before the word anonymous or the word other, proceed as directed, then publish your comment. I will be overjoyed! Come on troops... just do it. Fran, the ball is in your court.

Which brings me to tennis. Both Fran and I are rabid fans of tennis. She now has cable and can watch all the tennis from Wimbledon. I am filled with envy. But I hang in there and tape the games on the networks that I must miss because of commitments in our big town celebration. I have been known to feign illness just to be sure to see a favorite player. This year is the last time for Andre Agassi. He is a wonder. It's been fun to watch him mature, seemingly right before our eyes. He's become an example of how to mature in the right way, albeit with many little detours along the way. I wonder how the next chapters of his life will go.

Okay. I'll be waiting for comments. Be good to me, now.

Potpouri

I have lots of different stuff bubbling up to the top of my consciousness this morning. One thing is a total irritation about those screwy letters they have to prove that you are a person and not just a computer generated comment. That would be fine if I could read those letters. The g's look like q's, the m's and w's are sometimes confusing, etc., etc., and I often do not get my comments printed because I cannot correctly transcribe the distorted letters. Or are my comments so offensive that they are not allowable? I don't think so. I'm generally rather a mild mannered sort. Oh, well. I will survive.

Yesterday at book club we had a great time. The Knute Nelson establishment has an inordinate number of halls leading hither and thither, however. I finally was able to negotiate one particular route to retrieve my forgotten book bag from the patio, but I felt a bit like one of the great explorers in doing so.

The get together was fabulous. Donna is doing great after her joint replacement and was busy traversing the multitude of hallways with a most ingenious walker that she propelled while resting her arms on a padded surface. In that way she could stand erect and not lean over. She had distorted her whole frame resting on a four pronged cane for lo these many months. Now, the idea is to get her back to an erect posture. It seems to be going very well. She also still has her effervescent personality and is looking forward to returning home today.

We all agreed that the book was outstanding and one that we wanted to continue to read, dipping into it occasionally for inspiration. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. Fabulous. We all highly recommend it.

After book club we went to downtown Alexandria for a shopping spree. We were very encouraged by finding fun shops and great sale prices. Can anything be better? Alexandria has done so well by their downtown while also generating a great mall. Now with the advent of several huge discount stores, I hope the antique and funky clothes shops will continue to prosper, as well as the mall. Do we have enough population to support them all? Time will tell.

Well, off to Battle Lake to sit the gallery. Hopefully we will sell tons of art. Right. Take care.

Singing Bird

"Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps the singing bird will come."
Chinese Proverb.

This was the framing I was doing night before last when I cut my finger with the razor blade. It is a collage with mixed media, 14 inches by 8 inches.
There was a spot at the Coffeehouse Art Center display that needed a small painting this size, so Gwen said I should paint one. Abracadabra. I pruned this from a larger painting I had already done that didn't quite jell. Fun.

Today is our book club meeting. We are meeting at a recuperative center in Alexandria this morning (The Knute Nelson Home). One of our members just had knee replacement surgery and is not yet at home. Our get-together is always fun. And this venue will be a new experience for us. We have just read "Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson. This is the kind of book that takes a long time to read. There is a ponderable moment on almost every page. It won the Pulitzer Prize. Wonderful reading. I loved it, as you can tell.

Off to my day. Have a good one! Hope we have a singing bird in our hearts today!

Art storage THINGAMAJIG

That seems to be a good title for this piece of equipment. THINGAMAJIG. It stores paintings and large sheets of watercolor paper. I am already at work in the art room, cleaning and arranging. Last night I got down to it and was cutting a painting to frame it. The frame already had a painting in it that I was sick of, so I was using a single edged razorblade to remove the paper from the back of the frame to get the old painting out, when the razor blade slipped and I sliced my left index finger. At first I thought it was just a knick but then it turned into a small slice and bled like crazy. Four bandaids later, I finally got it to stop bleeding and this morning I removed the plethora of bandaids and was able to replace four with one only. It's amazing how sharp these small instruments can be. Today, I am no worse for wear, however, which is good news.

I remember an occasion when I was cutting fabric with one of the rolling blades. I cut off the tip of a finger with that blade and had to go to get a stitch to stop the bleeding. Hmm. Perhaps I should stick to using an exacto knife and forget these other razor type instruments. On the other hand, live dangerously. That is obviously my motto. The saga continues.

It is very quiet around here today. Just the two old folks. No very busy son and peripatetic grandson. The evidence of their visit is all around us and cheers us on our way, but we miss their actual physical presence. Hope their trip is going well.

kitchen cabinets reborn

These are rather disappointing pictures of the spanking clean kitchen cabinets. I am so thrilled with them as they are beautiful and newly exciting. I wonder how long it will be before I will take them for granted and no longer notice their splendor? It would be like those folks who have a marvelous mountain view out the window and never notice it because of its familiarity. Or those who live at the lake and never glance out the window. Hmmm. I do love the kitchen cabinets, though, and think I will be less stressed day by day because of the wonderful soothing color.

We miss John and Matthew and Piper, the dog. They did so much to enhance our quality of life while they were here. We wish them well on the rest of their trip out to their new home in Virginia. Beth is with them now, so they are happy campers! Bon voyage.

Our whole town is gearing up to celebrate the 4th of July. It is the 125th anniversary of the founding of our fair city, so a special hoopla is in order. All kinds of fun stuff is planned. I will try to keep you somewhat posted on the most exciting of the events. For now I am going back to my recliner for a short nap. I've been waking up at 4 lately, so a nap is in order. I will try to post this blog more often. In the next blog I will include a picture of the art stanchion that John built me. There should be a better descriptive word for it, and perhaps I will know it by tomorrow. Have a good day!

Transformation!!!

Remember that wonderfully decorative scorch (actually, burn is more accurate) mark that enhanced our kitchen cabinet door? This is the same door after it has been transformed by the artistry of our son, John. He is a magician. I'm crazy about the color, and the workmanship is top notch. His visit is drawing to a close, but the wonderful work he has done in helping to upgrade our home is inestimable. What a boon.

He, his son, dog, truck and boat are departing on Friday. They will pick up his wife in Minneapolis and continue their cross country oddysey. Wow. He and his family are about to commence a new chapter in their family story. We are going to miss them, but it is time for them to go to their new home. It is an exciting adventure.

Watching basketball together is something that John and I like to do. We used to do it with considerable passion, but our interest is less intense with our aging. These last games have been very interesting, not the least of the interest being generated by the childish antics of the Maverick owner. He thinks he has so much money that he can do anything and then just pay the fine. Hmmmmmmmmmm. I wonder if he knows how bad he makes himself look?

Have a great day. I will take more pictures of some of the cool stuff that John has done and let you see that at a future date.

Happy Father's Day!

The weather is simply glorious! Very windy, but the heavy humidity is gone and the air is breathable. What a difference it makes in one's outlook and mood.

Our silent auction and bake sale at the Coffeehouse Art Center raised some money, but we were a bit disappointed at the turn out. As we continue with our efforts, we hope people will become more and more accustomed to supporting the arts in our community. That is the goal!

I contributed a painting to the silent auction and I was very glad that one of my friends got it. I don't know how much she contributed, but whatever it was - I'm glad I know where the painting is. They do seem always to have a connection to you.

Off to have chicken and pizza at the Melby Outpost. Yum.

Happy Father's Day!

More rain

We've had a bit of rain every day this last week. Nothing punishing, just something nourishing. John and Matthew and I went to the movies last night. They went to XMan three and I went to the Prairie Home Companion. George isn't feeling so great, so he stayed home. I liked the movie. It is a very strange conglomeration of stuff, just as is the radio show. But having Garrison Keiller (sp?) on film is a wonderful service to the world. The rest of the cast is great, but we have most of them already recorded for us. GK is new to celluloid, I believe, and is a great addition. (Celluloid: now there's an old idea!) I will have to get the DVD when it comes out so I can savor his singing.

We are having a silent auction down at the Art Center. Some great stuff including an original painting of mine. We are trying to raise money for aircondioning and furnace. We'll see how it goes. It is like pulling teeth to get people to come to things. Why? Anyone got an idea? It is rather discouraging to see the lack of foresight sometimes. Even avarice doesn't seem to do the trick. We'll see. I will try to keep my hopes up.

The cabinets are coming right along. They are so great. I love the color. I always forget how much the colors around me affect my mood.

Take care and have a great day!

Wowee

The size of the font today is HUGE. I didn't change anything that I know of, but the machine must have all of a sudden realized it was dealing with a senior citizen. My goodness. I don't know how to adjust it! Oops, I just figured it out. Now.... which one do I like best. The large was kind of fun... well, there are even larger letters like these available. I suppose it is for things you want to emphasise or something. I think this is called normal, and it was the one that I originally thought was so huge. The theory of relativity!

Today is overcast and looks vaguely ominous. The kitchen cabinets are well on their way to completion. I tried my paper mache stuff with my grandson yesterday. It was a complete and utter disaster. He just kept muttering, "this is disgusting." It really was. scraps of paper and glue over everything and on everything. Luckily we were out in the screened in tent so the pieces of paper and glue were outside and not on the carpet. My idea was not good. It was to use the shredded paper from our shredder with wallpaper paste to make snazzy paper mache. Nothing snazzy about it. It's hard for me to give up my dream, though. I keep thinking about things I could do to make it work. Then I think, just forget it and throw the blame stuff away! Which will win? Stay tuned.

Well, I better get on with my day. I hope it will be fun and I live to see another day. If not, see ya in heaven. where life will be grand

Rainy Day

It isn't pouring rain. It is drip-dropping rain. Perfect for the garden, but rather dampening to the spirits. Neither fish nor fowl. (Now there is an odd expression.) So it is hard to plan our day. The painting and fixing of the cabinets will still be possible, but other "play" type stuff outside will not. Or Golf. It is giving such a poor imitation of a real rain that it might cease and desist any moment. Then life will be easier for both the 82 year old and the 4 year old. And if life is easier for them, it's easier for all of us.

George has caught a cold, worse luck. Right now when we have all the great company. Bummer. Hopefully it will not be a debilitating illness and he will still be able to golf and do other stuff. Stay tuned!

I went to a meeting last night up at Art of the Lakes in Battle Lake. My friend Carol and I drove up together. It was fun and we saw some art brought by people for critique. We hadn't realized that was part of the deal so didn't bring anything, but those who knew brought some pottery, some wooden objects and some colored pencil art. All were awesome, in my estimation. Then we spent the time learning to etch using plexiglass. My attempt was a total failure, but Nadine Peters had wonderful success, even with her first attempt. Right on, Nadine. It is always fun to get together and meet with art friends. The event was an outreach by the New York Mills group. Our (AOTL) regular meeting will be next Tuesday night at 7.

Tonight is guest night at our church ladies group. Missionaries from Tanzania will be there. It is the first time I have met our missionaries, and to hear them tell us about it will be a special treat for me as our daughter and her husband are hoping to go to Tanzania in October to spend four months teaching at a girls' school. I will get a glimpse of the place ahead of time. Great.

Take care and have a great day. Hi ho to Izzy and Ashlee, Fran and Bud and Elaine, and any one else who wanders onto this page. by for now.

Painting of a different sort

Our son is busy helping us redo our kitchen cabinets. They don't really need it. Right. As you can see, I inflicted great bodily harm on one of the doors at Christmas time. I was so intent on lighting one of the advent wreath's candles that I forgot about the candle that was already lit on the opposite (back) side of said wreath. It didn't even set off the smoke alarm, but it was a bit of a jolt. Oofta. Luckily, I saw the problem almost immediately and removed the source of the flame at once.

We (The "we" I mention is our son, his son, my husband and me) are presently removing and cleaning all of the cabinet doors and the drawers. Then we are going to prime and paint. I will update this account as we progress. We're bound to have some humorous or not so humorous problems along the way.

"The boys" went fishing last evening and brought back a catch of sunfish. The four and a half year old was as ecstatic at catching them as the 82 year old was at seeing him catch them. The 40 year old kept them safe and sound. Really exciting times here in mid Minnesota. Work hard all day and then, go fishin'. Or golfin. Life is good.

The weather is glorious again today. I was afraid it would be cold while our boys were home, but it is turning out just perfect. The corn is growing by inches every night while I seep, and the rest of the stuff is just amazing. My view from the keyboard is all marvelous shades of green as contrasted to the dark brown of rich earth. Fab. Have a good day.

Today is Awesome, too

I hit the wrong button or something on that last posting. So everything evaporated. The reason it is an awesome time is that our son and his son and their dog are here for an extended visit. Today is more awesome because our daughter and her husband are also coming today. We have three birthdays in June between us, so we are going to do a big huzzah today. Great. Yup. I think that qualifies as awesome.

I don't have much time for an extended post, but I just wanted to explain what happened with the last one. My brain isn't completely fried, just slightly poached. More as the days progress and I get my brain back... IF I get my brain back. At this advanced age, who knows? (The Shadow knows what evil lurks in the hearts of man.) You youngsters won't remember that radio show, but I grew up listening to that sentence said in a sepulchral tone. Any of you remember the sinister laugh that went with it? Or was that somewhere else? We used to race home from school to listen to radio programs. Jack Armstrong - The All American Boy, The Green Hornet, The Lone Ranger, Dick Tracy, and The Shadow. There were others, too. Orphan Annie was one. The radio was a big cabinet one, and I would lay on the carpet glued to every word. Such fun. We would save up cereal box tops and send for decoder rings from Dick Tracy.

Well.. so much for my walk down memory lane. Have a GREAT Saturday.

Awesome Day

Happiness is.....

I am so excited. I got 2 big boxes from Fed Ex or UPS or one of those guys. It was the new art supplies that I ordered after the workshop. Wow. 2 new kinds of paper of just the right sort. A snazzy new brush that should make all the difference in my painting! (right) and some new paints. I let myself get talked into getting Yarka Russian water color paints. We'll see now if it does any good at all in how my paintings turn out. Stay tuned.

But we don't go far from our childhood exultation at getting something new. Who can forget the thrill of new shoes? And the agony of having to wear them on the carpet for a bit to see if they fit. If they didn't fit, the carpet would leave the soles in good shape so that they could be returned. I couldn't seem to get the idea that if they didn't fit, I could go on looking until I DID find a pair that fit. That returning them didn't mean that I would have no new shoes at all. I sometimes lied and said they were fine when they actually weren't. I had to pay the piper later with sore toes. But new art supplies is just PURE joy. Yeah. Pure joy.

Now I'll have to do some painting. Maybe tonight. Maybe.

Quilts

You remember back when I was talking about doing the quilts for my nephew's kids. Well, they're totally completed so I thought I would try to get a picture of one of them. It was cloudy outside just coming on a storm, so I laid them on the grass and snapped away. This picture will give you a feel for what they're like, and I will include another of the blue quilt another day. I am looking forward to seeing them soon as they travel to their new home in Nebraska, and I am SO glad that I managed to get these quilts done. The yellow triangle at the top is just a peek at the quilt's reverse color.

I spent a couple of days with my sister this weekend and we talked up a storm. We have to be sure to sleep in different rooms or we would never stop talking! We were trying to make up for lost time as for five years she lived up the hill from me and we could get together whenever we wanted to, but now the hours are limited and precious that we can be together. We talk on the phone and are on e-mail, but being together is the best. In our family there were three siblings, my sister, my brother and me. I am the baby! At 75, I am STILL the baby. We are so fortunate that we are all still alive and more or less OK. It gives us a special enjoyment of each other and the lives which we are still able to lead. God has been very good to us. We had a wonderful home life with parents who nurtured us and insisted that we be educated. We've all three had exceptionally fulfilling lives. Now, we'll see if my siblings agree with me after they read this glowing account!

We need to cherish our times with each other, all of us with our loved ones. Those days can come to a screeching halt at any time. Enjoy your life one day at a time. Yes.

Inspiration

This is one of the pix from the workshop. The workshop did much more for me than inspire paintings... It got me energized. I have a million ideas for more art, and I have cleaned like a whirling dervish today to get my space more organized. Huzzah. (Some of my friends actually have some figurines of whirling dervishes!)

Izzy asked me how I got started painting. As a girl I always fooled around with sketching, but never ever took any art courses in school. I don't even know if they were offered.. Certainly not in my small town school where we had 14 members in our class. Later in the big city school where there were 400 in my class, maybe. I just never paid attention to them if they were offered. However, I find little sketches in diaries, etc.

Soon after we were married, George gave me an oil painting set, so I must have exhibited some interest. I got extremely frustrated at trying to paint water. It always looked like varnish. But I did a few things. Barns and ash cans and still lifes. When we were packing to go to Brazil, most of those early attempts were thrown in the trash fire by my brother-in-law. He suffered from manic depression and was in bad shape, so I don't think it was a malicious burning. I would love to have some of those now to evaluate my progress!

When we returned to the states 30 years ago, I occasionally took a public education offering in the arts. Sketching and painting. Then, when I taught Spanish, my classroom was next to the art room. Spanish was only part-time teaching, so when I wasn't teaching I would "rubber neck" on what they were doing in the art room. I did a bit of ceramics. And then I had the brilliant idea that I was soon going to retire so I better find something to do that would fascinate me. At 65 I started to take lessons from Steve Henning, a local artist. Every Monday afternoon, three of us women would collect in his studio and give him a hard time. We had great fun, and by the time I retired at 67, I was hooked on art.

I have taken myriad workshops and tried almost every medium. I have collected a wonderful assortment of tools of the trade. Whatever occurs to me to try, I can try it.

So for a while I did not take workshops as I felt I should use what I know and get going with it. But the workshops get the juices flowing and the energy building. And they're lots of fun and fellowship as well.

So that's my story, Izzy. Anyone who wants to get started, I can certainly start them. I can give a few informal lessons to you when you get back. For now, start some sketching. Just a few lines on a small pad of unlined paper. Keep trying to sketch a chair, a hand, etc., you can just keep on, good or not. There is a great book called Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain. I think that's the name. That will get you started in an informal way. It would seem you have plenty on your plate, now, but that's a way you can start if you want to.

Have a wonderful June.

Ellen Eilers

This is my dear friend and fellow artist, Ellen Eilers. She is an inspiration to all of the artists in this area, as she is an experienced artist as well as a mentor to the rest of us. She taught art for many years and she goes to many art shows every summer and still gives many classes. After pace maker surgery, she is still hoping to fulfill her schedule of shows this summer. At over eighty, her enthusiasm and helpfullness is a blessing and an inspiration.

She organizes the workshop we went to last week, the latest in a yearly get together. She finds reknowned artists and lines us all up to take the classes. I, for one, would never miss one, as they are always stellar.

The day couldn't be better, weatherwise. Some gentle rain mid afternoon to encourage my nap. Temperature in the 70s. Energy for some cleaning. Went to the gym this morning and helped my pal, Karen, celebrate her birthday which is Friday. It has been a great day.

George is frustrated as the maple trees are having a bonanza year. The maple seeds have taken over the world. Our rain gutters are so full that the house looks as though it has a thatched roof. George borrowed a leaf blower, but they are stubborn little buggers and are hard to dislodge. All pray that he does not fall off the ladder. It's jobs like those that are difficult to hire done. What does one do? Look in the yellow pages for maple seed removal? What?

I am coming right along with the cleaning schedule. Right. Well, MY cleaning schedule, at least. Cleaning is not my strong suit. Hopefully all will be ready for our exciting company. Our son, his son and their dog are coming for a couple of weeks. Excitement reigns. They are moving from the West Coast to the East Coast and father and son are driving the pick-up, the boat and the dog overland, camping along the way. Wow. Everybody pray for a safe journey.

Take care. Enjoy this great weather.

Flags for Remembrance

Our community has to be the grassiest of grass roots. We have a parade on Memorial Day made up of the American Legionaires and some boy scouts and a drum. Usually we have a band, too, but this it didn't happen. The spectators are many. The march to the memorial is a solemn spectacle. Taps and rifle shots. Then back to the school gym for the memorial program.

When I was a child, we lived in an even smaller community. Our parade was held on what was then called Decoration Day. The night before we would make wreaths of lilacs and whatever other flowers were blooming. We would put them in tubs of water so they would be fresh for the next day. The idea was to remember those of our families who had passed away with these wreaths on the headstones of their graves. I don't remember so much emphasis on those who had given their lives in the defense of liberty as there is now. It was more for any of those in our family who had died. All of us kids with our wreaths made up the parade. I don't remember if there was a band or not.

May our memories of those past make us aware of what we are doing as we live our own lives. We will sooner or later only be someone's memory. Time's awasting. Make good memories! Make your time on earth count for good and for God. Leave a legacy. Wahoo.

Reinvigorated!

At my workshop I was doing my usual lame thing... I left the photo I was going to use as inspiration at home on the table, so I cruised around glancing at the files of photos that everyone else had for an idea for a landscape. Doris Judson had a beautiful moody picture of a tobacco barn which she agreed to share with me. All grays and gray clouds and imminent doom. So I took that and promptly made the size and conformation different and the colors bright. Go figure. I think it is still a sort of moody picture, though, although I don't quite know what the mood might be. What should the title be? Oh, and Izzy? The size is 15 inches by 11 inches, watercolor on Fabriano Artistico paper, 300 lb.

As much as I was bellyaching about being intimidated by workshops, I find that I am intensely energized by them. I woke up early this morning rarin' to go. Wahoo. I am straightening and organizing my art room and trying to figure out how to get it under control. It is growing like the beanstalk in Jack's tale, and I have to at least prune it so it doesn't take over the entire basement. First there are three or more (MORE) kinds of paint, and several different kinds of pencils and pastels and papers for collage work and, and, and. Then the brushes. Oofta. And the already painted and framed pictures to say nothing about those which are not yet framed. Double oofta. So I am heading down hoping to be able to report massive progress to you by the next post. And I will include the other watercolor I did at the workshop.

I hope all of the students at our workshop had as much fun as I did and feel the energizing effects I do. And, most of all, I wonder how exhausted Katia is. She was a sweet person and an awesome teacher. Double Wahoo.

Citrus Sauce

As usual, I gained a recipe at this workshop. Strange how at every get together of women, someone is cooking! I can see innumerable uses for Judy's sauce. It seems to be a variation on my mother's sauce that she called a hard sauce and used on bread pudding sometimes. It is great on almost anything I would think - At the workshop, we had it with whipped cream on angel food cake to celebrate Sarah's birthday!

Sarah and Judy: daughter and mother!

Judy's Sauce

Juice of 1 orange, 1 lemon, and 1 lime (which equals about 1 cup.) Zest from the orange and lemon as you like it. (do not make zest from the lime, and remember to make the zest BEFORE you cut up the fruit!)
1 cup sugar (she thought you could use Splenda if you wished)
1 egg well beaten
All together in sauce pan. Bring to a boil and simmer, stirring off and on, (on and off is also permissable), for about 5 minutes until it becomes creamy. Then use it, put it in the refrigerator and use it again until it is gone. Won't take long!

As I am writing this, I realize it takes right up from the Mother/Child theme of last week. I am remembering my mother's cooking, and showing a recipe used to fete a child's birthday. These relationships make the world go round.

I will show some more stuff from this workshop at the next posting. I promise.

The Home Stretch

I am enjoying myself. This morning I got all dressed up for class and George nixed my outfit as too outlandish to go into the grocery store after class - so I chose a still colorful but more modern garb. The outfit I took off is a multicolored (loud) long dress. I love it, but it is a little bit off the wall. So then I put on my black slacks, a hot pink tank top that I've had for at least 20 years, and a new multi-colored jacket that will knock your sox off. And hot pink hoop earrings. So I am still colorful, but a little bit more conventional. And my husband is very pleased. Let that be a lesson to you. Do a thoroughly outrageous thing first, and then the little less outrageous seems more acceptable.

Our class went out to eat together last night: the ladies of the Alexandria Brush and Palette Club, and our teacher, Katia Andreeva. Google her and you will see some of her art, I think. I haven't done it yet, but the ladies say it is great. She has illustrated 27 books. Wow. I like her and I like her teaching style. I am also enjoying getting back into watercolor a bit.

I will take photos today and include some of them in the days to follow. Have a wonderful fun- filled spontaneous day!

Onward and Upward

Today was much better at the art workshop. I went at it in a cooler way, and I did learn some stuff. I also found the bag with the tea pots. The suitcase is still lost.

I am SO tired. George agreed that we should go out for supper/dinner. Hallelujah.

Our teacher at the workshop is a Russian lady. She is tall and adorably blonde. And she paints like a dream. She is teaching lots about composition, which is what I wanted. So, Yippee skipee. I am enjoying it. And her accent is charming.

I miss my pals from the gym. Friday I will try to go, and certainly next week.

The Challenges of Life!

I continue to be slapped in the face by the ongoing challenges of life. Things that I used to take in stride now take major attention. I am losing things left and right... or maybe right and left, who knows? A suitcase I always use for my art workshops. A bag packed carefully with tea pots from the mother/child show. And who knows what I have lost that I don't know that I have lost because it hasn't come up yet. Sigh. Oh, well, off to my scheduled day.

I am attending an art workshop. I - on other occasions - have sworn I would not take art workshops. They are too hard on my ego. But I bounce back and sign up again. And then I realize why it was that I didn't like to attend them. It isn't that they aren't good, they're wonderful and thus point out that I am NOT good. I don't paint at all like other people and that makes me feel inferior. Then I give myself a pep talk. My strength is that I do not paint as the others do. It is my very idiosyncracies that make my art appealing to some people. Anyway, that is my pep talk. Sigh.

Now, once again, where is my stuff? Sigh. May we all have a good day.

Blind Luck

This morning as I rolled out of bed and made the obligatory stab for my eyeglasses, disaster struck. The right lens fell out and I realized that the tiny screw that holds it in place was missing. I can see practically nothing because of a serious case of astigmatism. If I lived alone I would be done for. I couldn't drive, I couldn't read, and I surely couldn't fix my glasses. Of course, it is also Saturday and my eye doctor is not open. I would have to really scramble to find help.. and I have a full schedule today that calls for driving and doing. Whoa. Not good.

Luckily, I do not live alone and I'm married to one of the premier handy men in the world. He got out his small screw driver kit and an extra screw, and proceeded to fix my glasses. Definitely an appreciated act. I will gingerly proceed through my day, always conscious of the temporariness of the fix, but very grateful for it. Hopefully I can make it until Monday, when I will seek the people who specialize in the art of eye glass repair. I should, of course, have two pair. The high cost of glasses precludes that idea. When I need a new pair, I only get the new lenses and hang onto the frames until they are so hopelessly out of date I get REALLY embarrassed, or they bite the dust and are no longer usable.

I remember back when my glasses were really THICK. I have an old pair that manifests that characteristic. They must have manufactured some other material that magically could do the same thing but remain thin. A great boon to the looks of the glasses! I suppose I could have the magic lazer surgery and abandon glasses altogether. I have been wearing them since I was eight years old, however, and realize that the looks of the glasses are a part of me to me. I don't really like the idea, either, of trusting my eyes to the proverbial "knife." It would probably go fine, but what if it didn't? I think I will just go on with my limited vision for the time being. Perhaps some future event will convince me I need help with surgery, but for the present I will stick with the known eye wear.

Laurie R. King is doing her writing on line today and I am rather bummed that I have to be out and about and will miss it. I hope it all goes great for her. May all the rest of you have a wonderful day, too, and a special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister, Fran! Wahoo. You made another year! No small feat at our age! love, /

giggle

I see from the last two posts that I am doubly prepared for today. I am just about to put the finishing touches on the brunch, and I'm rarin' to go! rarin' to go! rarin' to go! Enough already.

Preparations -

I have made the deviled eggs, sugar free lime jello with cool whip, open face (open-faced?) sandwiches, begun some desultory cleaning, and now I'm ready to go down to the art center to prep for tomorrow's show.

I snacked on the deviled egg stuff while I was preparing it, and I have a slight tummy ache from over indulgence. Sigh. Ah, well.

The weather is looking very nice. George brought me a dozen roses. My life is good. He is very happy as he can now go golfing. Time marches on.

Preparations -

I have made the deviled eggs, sugar free lime jello with cool whip, open face (open-faced?) sandwiches, begun some desultory cleaning, and now I'm ready to go down to the art center to prep for tomorrow's show.

I snacked on the deviled egg stuff while I was preparing it, and I have a slight tummy ache from over indulgence. Sigh. Ah, well.

The weather is looking very nice. George brought me a dozen roses. My life is good. He is very happy as he can now go golfing. Time marches on.

More Mother/Child

We had a wonderful time last Saturday at our "do" at the Coffeehouse Art Center. This Friday and Saturday from 10:30 to 3:30 we will be offering an opportunity for the populace to see this wonderful exhibit again.

Yesterday I heard a talk about the Mexican artist, Diego Rivera, and went to an art show. I am really getting submerged in the rivers of art! When you get back in this neck of the woods, Izzy, I could give you a few art lessons. It might be fun. I was Spanish teacher for both Greta and John, so it should be your turn anyway. I do think the art would be more fun.

Well, I stayed up late last night to finish reading our book for book club which will be on Friday. It is a long out of print book called "The Cowboy and the Cossack." I loved it. What a story. Now I have to take pains to keep the book together. It is an old yellow dried out paperback for which I paid $18.90 plus tax, shipping and handling! Supply and demand at work. I dropped it and it split in two. So far I will just put it in a box or wrap it in string... and wait until someone wants to very carefully read it. Any takers?

Take care. The beautiful sunny day has inspired George to plant flowers: pansies and New Guinea impatiens. On a different note, I saw a starling attack a martin today, drag it out of the martin house and throw it to the ground. The martin is still living, but barely. You can imagine my feelings about the starling. And my sympathy for the beautiful martin. oofta.

Yippee

I am pumped. I actually got a picture to come up on my blog again. I think the secret is to do it early in my blog search and reading, so that my poor old computer can handle it. Whatever.

This is the photo I took of the pictures at our Mother/Child event. The top part is a photograph taken by a woman who tried to get grants to travel the world taking photos, but finally had to go on her own. This is one from Senegal called "African Queen." We all decided it had pride of place as the most spectacular of the exhibits.

The bottom part is a book opened to a Mother/child painting by the child prodigy painter Akiane. She painted it when she was 11. The book first recounts the story of her life and then the paintings she has painted. The last part of the book is poetry she has written. When I saw the book I realized I had seen her on Oprah when she was featuring remarkable young people. She says that God taught her how to paint. Remarkable - not to say miraculous. She has been videoed painting, so there is no possibility of chicanery. She's the real deal. Fantastic.

I have a busy day ahead of me. First, the gym. Then Art of the Lakes to hear a presentation on the art of Mexico. Then to the Lake Regions Art Council for a reception at a show in which I have a painting. Then, if I am still alive and kicking, back home to my recliner.

I am so happy that Izzy is back posting his blog. I have so missed hearing about life on the other side of the planet. To say nothing about admiring his prose. His blog is http://isaacarnquist.blogspot.com if you want to check him out. I don't know how to do a link, so this will have to do. Welcome back, Izzy.

The Day After

Well, we're in the I won't put your picture on the blog page mode again. I am very disgusted that the technology isn't perfect every time. Right. We have all gotten so impatient. Dial up for e-mail is considered too slow, so "every one" (of course, that is an overstatement) is getting the other faster service. I - who remember well typing with carbon paper for copies and having to start over if I made a mistake, as the pages had to be perfect for a lawyer's copy - think any speed is fast enough, but I do get irritated when stuff is gobbled up or doesn't work. However, I think I can control my irritation and continue to use the blog!

Now, if you are still reading after that long diatribe, I take my hat off to you. It is the day after Mother's Day! I talked to both my kids on the phone, although we were unable to get together in person. George took me to the movies and we had popcorn! Life is good.

We saw MI 3. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is the villain in this movie and I am so liking him to play Nero Wolfe. He could BE Nero instead of mounting a caracature of him. (By the way, I cannot find the word caracature spelled that way or any other conceivable way in the dictionary. Can anyone help me?) We can always make him gain weight with abracadabra stuff. Now we're trying to think of who could play Saul Panzer. Any suggestions? Owen Wilson for Archie, so far. Someone suggested George Clooney, but he is too long in the tooth, I think.

Well, off to my day. The gym and a few errands first. Then I have to get serious about reading my book club book. We meet on Friday.

The Day After

Mother-Child

Our "event" was a fine success. This is not a picture of me looking at some of the artefacts, but a friend who wore the same jacket I did. I live three blocks from the art center, so I went home and changed so that we wouldn't hear the same remarks for the whole day! We hope to have another fine crowd next weekend. Not very many people from our own town attended as there were several other "doings" happening at the same time. The problem for our town and every other town is that people have too many things to attend. Hopefully next week will be better. We had some folks from here and there, and we had fun! It is a beautiful exhibit.

It was quite a frisky day for fishing opener. Cold, windy, some snow in the north, rain farther south. But the fishing evidently was good. Brrrrr. Today looks to be a bit better.

Have a nice Mother's Day!

Good Morning

Another pear. Go figure.
It is 1 o'clock in the morning and I am not the least bit sleepy.
For our book club this month we are reading a book called "The Cowboy and the Cossack" by Clair Huffaker. It is important to know the author, as there is another book with the same name by a different author as one of our book club members found out to her chagrin. Our book is one that was written in the 1970's and is in short supply. I purchased an old yellowed paperback from Amazon.com for a mere $18.90. It is the favorite book of one of our members, and so far it is living up to its advanced billing. I am interspersing a Nero Wolfe volume as I cannot quit cold turkey. Soon enough I will have read through all of those I have and will HAVE to quit, anyway. Then I have a whole stack of other books that I can read. What riches!

We have many of our mother/child paintings hung at the gallery. We have other 3d artwork arranged in a showcase. The tea on Saturday should be wonderful. I will try to include some pictures of the occasion on my blog.

The weather is blustery and wet. Fishing opener will be tough for those who love to spend it on a lake. Fishing widows can come to our tea at the Coffeehouse Art Center in downtown Evansville. Wahoo. Saturday at 10 or 2.