Some things to smile about (or…having a rich varied thought life:)

Some things that make me smile in no particular order: Planning and partaking in art projects. Generating a love for the arts and for reading. Learning new things. Reading an engaging book. Receiving feedback about my book. I received a book of cows doing yoga for Christmas from my middle son and I was dreading […]

Washed Ashore Refuse, Art in Unusual Ways

I saw this prettily mosaiced seal at the aquarium yesterday. I wish in retrospect I had noted the artist. These other two pictures (shoes and a bathtub) were on display as part of an authentic Titanic display. These items were found in the wreck site. How weird to touch these artifacts. I’m not sure why […]

Collecting New Associations

I’ve always liked to collect. My middle son shares this trait. Some things he is currently collecting, or has collected: pepper shakers (not salt), traffic cones, ID/name tags, dice… I’ve collected or are currently collecting: wooden sailors, cat figurines, Buddhas, rocks, salt and pepper shakers, pens, cacti, African American figurines, crane/claw game prizes… I love […]

Recollecting

Ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and freighted with the memories and the dreams of Time. —H.P. Lovecraft The whole premise behind the “floating” or “illusion” or invisible” necklace, is that evenly spaced pearls, stones, and/or beads are strung along a nearly transparent nylon ‘fishing line’ which lays suspended against the throat. See image […]

Contemplating Bad News or What I Learned About Life By Being An Artist

I ponder, I recollect, I remember, I forgive, I pour over the pictures in my mind and also in my boxes and albums. Perhaps he does the same; but like the day he grabbed the shovel while I simultaneously held the potato chip bag, he gets down to the basics of things. We are different but not so different, really.

Kid Things and Adult Reflection

Did you know that Play-Doh was originally an all white moldable wallpaper cleaner? There was a lot of soot on the wallpaper back then. People used to make a cleaning mixture mixing flour, salt, water and some chemicals to roll up and down the wall to take off the soot. Then Kutol, an early Play-Doh […]

Art, Auties, a Call For Submissions, and a Catawampus Tilted Brain

Synchronicity is a funny thing. It surprises you as you go about your day to day activities. Take for example, owls. And catawampus things. The other day, I looked out over my view of the world from my living room; a short expanse of backyard, a slight hill that tapers into a tree-lined ditch which […]

Here on Earth 12/18/14, Truth Trumps Fiction

My librarian told me a story recently as I checked out books (two of which I would read all the way through with sustained interest, one that I would happily be engrossed with and the fourth I would end up returning after reading ten pages). One of the books I checked out (the one I […]

Animal Menagerie…Animal Rescuing

I have always been a rescuer. When I was 13, I had this cat named Theresa (tree-sa) (named because I’d climbed a tree to rescue her while out for a bike ride on dirt back-roads). I had way too many animals and knew my mother would say no, so I hid Theresa, her black and […]

Stroll Through Vermont (in my head)

Cloud collecting mountains surround. Unpaved roads ramble. Roadside produce stands are unmanned by vendors. A locked metal box with a slit in the top is seen amongst the piles of tomatoes, squash and ears of corn with a handwritten note beside it: HONOR SYSTEM- Set your price and leave money in box No views on […]

My kitty and my view: satisfied

I am satisfied enough with my lot in life. In this particular grey house, I have lived for almost 22 years. I didn’t intend to stay this long. It was ‘temporary’; yet here I am, two children nudged from the nest to find living space elsewhere. One daughter remains. So for years I’ve had the […]

The Elephant Keeper, a quick overview of a stunning book

I rarely write a book review but The Elephant Keeper screams to be understood, and to be read. If you do read it, you may come away from it stuck in your head but not able to really understand what just happened. Doesn’t that have the makings of a good read? One that makes you […]

Unconditionally Loving Dogs and Cats

When I stop and really think, I’ve had an animal every single day of my life. The first one I recall is good old Pistol. He was a black but graying mixed breed who was bigger than me. My parents say he resented me coming into the house; he was there first. I recall dropping […]

Being a positive deviant who steps around the burning goat poop

We have always lived in a world where the possibility exists that goat manure piles (of poop) can spontaneously combust. It happens, spreading fire and amusement and stench. I bring this up because I don’t fully understand the scientific aspects of spontaneous combustion, suffice to say heat and methane probably play a part but I […]

The Unforgettable Cow and My Lack of Action

I see her in these animals that dance inside my head I’ll follow you down baby, down into this valley I’ll follow you down baby, but I won’t come up again lyrics Counting Crows- Adam Duritz, from “I’m Not Sleeping” When I was growing up, I ‘chose’ school clothes from a trash bag full of […]