8-28-14

Busy, busy day today!
I am leaving town tomorrow for a family reunion down near Philadelphia.
Although I've never been to one; my priority is to get my mother there;
so she can see extended family.

I am also trying to clean up the house, do laundry, print directions, etc in preparation for the trip tomorrow...
get together some items for donation to a local club for an auction that need turned in today...
clean up and sort things from the show we went to last weekend...
arrange to get a used stove in our kitchen... (as the one we have only has 2 working burners and a poorly functioning oven)
and then there is the usual posting on my 2 blogs....
posting for a group I belong to on Facebook...
and even, perhaps, canning pickles... as I was gifted a big box of cucumbers yesterday.


I am SOOOO not complaining though.
It's good to be busy... and it's great that most of my business is related to doing what I love... which is art.
And so... I'm going to walk around the yard a bit... catch my breathe... gain some calmness...
and get back to work.
See you tomorrow!


*5 ways to calm down quickly
*7 ways to relive stress
*7 quick ways to calm down

8-27-14

Just a short note today... I am really tired.

But I wanted to share these photos with you...
A friend of mine mentioned to me the day; about a local tree... that she had noticed had this awesome fungi growing on it.
This was intriguing, so of course I had to go right down and see it myself.
Once I saw it; I knew it was a "chicken of the woods" mushroom...
and had I been a bit braver; I would have asked the owner of the property if I could cut some down to eat.

I remember having this tasty treat many, many years ago... but wanted to refresh my memory of the facts... so:

Here is the Wiki entry on the mushroom itself.
Here is some info from the "Mushroom Appreciation" website.
More info from the "Mushroom Expert".
And a pretty cool YouTube video.
and this site.... that talks about nutritional benefits and how to cook it.

8-26-14

...sometimes things get tangled up.
These past few weeks it feels as though my entire life has been tangled up in knots.
Misunderstandings, hurt feelings, power struggles... lots of stress and strife going on around me.
And yet, my home (as it should be) is a sanctuary.
Because of this... I have been reluctant to leave the house, for the most part.
And I have been drained.
Emotionally, physically, spiritually... drained.
I feel like my meter is on "empty."

This past weekend I did a show... and it was awesome.
But since then, I find that (for the bulk of the time)...
I have either been in bed... or wandering about in some zombie-like daze.
Not being productive... not getting anything done.
And so today I gave in... and just went to bed.
The rest of tonight is devoted to sitting in my favorite chair and watching an old movie or some such. Sometimes the best things we can do... are nothing at all.

Hope you do the same...

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((the photo for today's post was taken in the woods behind my house.

The vine is some sort of creeper... and it is amazing to see these random curls all over the twigs and branches on trees. 

The blooms on it are really pretty as well.))

for the weekend

Today is a very long day at a show...
but I wanted to post my usual weekend links for you to peruse in your free moments.
---I hope you all have an awesome weekend, and I'll see you again on Monday.


*Maurice Sendak's rarest artwork
*why creative people need many outlets
*fireflies
*how to make hard cider
*artist Hinke Schreuders
*great work from Latitude Quilts
*artist Alexandra Gjurasic (an aquaintence of mine from ABQ)
*artist Brooks Shane Salzwedel
*artist Savannah Burgess
*history! America's Forgotten City
*book news! Laura Ingalls Wilder has a new book coming out. Look here... and here.
*poetry by Mary Oliver
*and because I love hippos.... this.

8-22-14

It's hard to believe it... but there are hints of fall already.
The goldenrod and ragweed are all over the edges of my yard... asters... even the occasional autumn toned leaf can be seen in the offing.
It's been a mild tempered summer here (or at least compared to living in the southwest), and I am grateful.
Off and on all day yesterday, and into the evening there were storms all around us.
My mother had a tree completely uproot itself in the storm; and a goodly portion of a neighbor's tree came down with a huge crash. And yet, close to midnight; I could hear the soft scampering of deer in the yard... stillness and calm having returned once again.
This morning, a congregation of crows is chatting wildly, excited over the prospect of the day...
or perhaps... sharing news of the storm... who knows. But they are vocal.

Today and tomorrow I have a show in the area; and I am excited about it.
Yes, it is tempered with the usual "you could have done more"... and the "if only".... comments ringing in my head... but over-all... it's been a great learning experience to navigate the local show circuit here.

It's been a (very) rocky road these past few months; and there are certainly things I would try to do differently if that were an option. It's times like these though, that I have to remind myself.... that I have gotten things accomplished.
I have made a difference.
Yes, I've messed up on some things... that is to be expected.
The only way to truly fail however, is to never to try.
Someone once told me; if you are not making mistakes, you are not learning...
and, I believe that is true.

---carry on peeps.... be nice to each other... and I'll see you tomorrow.

8-21-14

---today is one of those days when I can't formulate something cohesive to day.

I would love to be able to put a post together that was smart, well thought out, current and informative.... but I just don't have it in me today... or so it seems.

I decided I would take a walk around the yard barefoot to step away for a minute and see what came to mind, and take a few photos (like this one here on today's post)
... and I stepped in bear shit.
Funny part is, I didn't even notice til I was in the house... and it had already dried on my foot.
I am sure there is a metaphor in there somewhere.... but I can't find it.

So. I'm taking a shower... and going to putz around in the studio for a bit.
Tomorrow and Saturday I will be at a big show at the Austin Dam.... well technically, it is at the Memorial Park there.
Tons of music... and some pretty cool vendors too.

See you all tomorrow!

8-20-14

people these days seem more prickly.....

Not sure why, and perhaps it is just my reactions... but these were the thoughts in my head yesterday as I went about things.
And I got to wondering why people do this...

Looking on the internet, and in a few books I have lying about... several things came up as being "triggers" to things that make people more prickly:

-having unmet expectations. I have high expectations for myself... and probably alot of other people hold themselves accountable to high standards as well. So, when we feel we fall short, we get cranky.
-being tired or sick. I know I do not behave in the best ways when I don't feel good... and I'm sure others are the same.
-not being heard, not being respected, not being appreciated. I think these 3 often go hand-in-hand.
-being treated rudely. Sadly, when someone is rude to you, you often become rude to someone else. It shouldn't work this way, but often does.
-being lied to. Injustice. Yep. Been there.

So what do you do?
Usually, I kill them with kindness... or at least, try to.
But sometimes it's much more complicated.

So I looked (again) ... and found these articles by author Annie Zirkel that I thought I would share today:
here (this one is a quiz, and is the first of 4 articles she wrote)
here
here
here

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(( the photo for today's post, is of a thistle plant. I found this the other day while I was walking in the woods near my house. It was super tall... probably close to 5 feet in height. ... and the hummingbirds LOVED it ))

8-19-14

It's a hard thing to be an artist, and be self employed.
It's a fine dance between tooting your own horn to promote your work;
and sounding like an egotistical asshole.
Take resumes for example...
you have to list all your accomplishments and talents; and at the same time...
not sound like a schmuck who thinks they're "all that".

And yet, belittling yourself, or minimizing your talents... can cost you the job...
future work... and make you sound like you have self esteem issues.

It's a carefully choreographed dance... but one we must learn.

I for one, have no idea..... and frankly, this is an area I am completely ignorant about.
So I went looking on the internet, and found some articles for today's post that you might want to read on the subject:

*from Forbes
*from TheMuse (career website)
*from Business Insider 
*from Ellen Ostrow (life coach)
*and of course, Oprah.

__________________________________________________________________________

((the photo for today's post is one I took yesterday on my walk in the woods.

I think it is a Carolina Wren... but a fairly young one. 

Mom and dad were nearby and I think they had been teaching her how to fly.

What I noticed, however... was their awesome singing.

Look here)

8-18-14

I've always been fascinated by these ground webs...
imagining faerie folk weaving them in the wee hours... dancing in the grass...

In reality... I guess they are made by a form of Funnel spiders that weave webs on the ground.
See here
I love them... and while I was looking up info about them;
I also came across the meaning behind "spider" as a totem animal... which I've linked here.
Very interesting stuff.

There was also an incident last night around 2 am in the yard.
I went to let the dog out (and have to help her because of her torn knee-cap)...
when we heard this god-awful screeching in the yard.
When I opened the back door... I saw a flash of something...
something I thought looked like a big-ish wild cat... but this am...
I can only find deer prints. ... so I have no idea.
I never saw the deer.
Another mystery.

So I decided to walk around the area near the woods to follow the deer tracks to see if I could find prints of anything else
( I didn't )...
but I did find these:

These are (apparently) a form of fungi known as Earth Tongues (trichoglossom hirsutum)
I can find no links on whether or not it is medicinal... or even edible... but I would assume NOT.

I did find this,  and this , and this.


So... all in all... it's been a mysterious... majikal... wondrous kind of day...
and because I got very little sleep last night; and was up entirely too early this am,
I am off for a much needed nap.

See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend

It's dark out, for a late summer mid-afternoon... and it looks like rain.
I love the rain... and these are the kind of days that make you want to curl up with a good book, or watch a movie. The hubby is taking a well deserved nap (as is my Brina)... and the daughter is happily sketching... music playing in the background.
I love these days.

And just in case you want to spend some time on the couch surfing the net...
I have some links that I have gathered to share with you all for the weekend:

*this book
*this shawl. Way out of my price range... but look at how gorgeous this is!
*this cool DIY blog... and this one: Lia Griffith
*and this... about the new movie coming out "If I Stay"...
*artist Keng Lye
*artist Eric Standley
*artist Caledonia Curry (better known as SWOON)
*this is a great post.
*how to make mayonnaise.
*another great article on Huffington Post
*Barbie. Yah, I know. I'm not into Barbie. But this is pretty awesome.
*25 ways to wear a scarf (video)
*PA --- best views1  and best views2


** and in light of my visit from a gorgeous baby bear the other day... this.

8-15-14

I know.
More bear photos.
I can't help myself.
But yesterday's visit was extraordinary... and still has me shaking with glee.
Even in the "wild woods"... it's not that common to see them this close.

Somehow I have managed to completely mess up my back;
so instead of going to a family picnic... I am home with a hot pack.
But all is good.
And I am finishing up the book I've been sharing with you all...

This last bit is on getting your work out there.
There is a short discussion on what constitutes art; and what is a hobby... and basically, it boils down to whether or not you have a burning desire to share what you do with the world... or not.
We all know what it's like to have art heal us... when it makes you smile... takes away the blues... gives you motivation...
and you want your work to do the same thing... and effect someone else in a positive and healing way.
That is how it is with the things I make... and I am sure it is with you as well.
But then... ahah. The business of getting it out there.
In the world.
The big WIDE (and potentially critical) world.

The author offers some basic first steps:
-figure out what you want to sell
-photograph it, write a simple description.
-figure out pricing. She suggests you price at 1/3 more than you think it should cost. I have always gone by the simple idea of taking the cost to make what you did... double it. Then figure out how long it took you to make the item; and give yourself an hourly wage... then add those together. So.
Say it cost you $10 in supplies (so make it $20) Then say, it took you 3 hours to make it; and at $8/hr = $24. So the item (at minimum), should be listed at $20+ $24=$44.
-figure out the venue. Do you want to sell it on a website, Ebay, Etsy, Artfire, Zazzle, in a store, in a gallery, in a cafe... there are tons of places to potentially sell your work.

The author suggests also; that you do your homework/ research... but to note get bogged down by it. Research for only 15 minutes. Then move on. It's too easy to get stuck "researching" things for hours/days/weeks... and just get overwhelmed.

Like the author has said... the hard part is getting started.
Sometimes you may have to bribe yourself.
Offer yourself some kind of reward for getting little steps done... bigger steps done...
projects completed.
Whatever works.

To this end... I have been trying to be brave.
Since becoming a "full-time" artist again about a month ago;
I have submitted a potential article idea to a magazine I like....
and this week... I filled out an application to a juried artisan group here in PA.
yes, baby steps.... but important baby steps.

8-14-14

Today I was graced with a visit from a (very) baby bear, who couldn't have been more than a month or two in age. 

I am sure momma was around... but I didn't see her. 

It is interesting that she/he came to visit... as there is great symbology in her showing up.

--- and especially more so for me; on a personal level.

"In the kingdom of spirit animals, the bear is emblematic of grounding forces and strength. 

This animal has been worshiped throughout time as a powerful totem, 

inspiring those who need it the courage to stand up against adversity. 

As a spirit animal in touch with the earth and the cycles of nature, 

it is a powerful guide to support physical and emotional healing.

The bear has several meanings that will inspire those who have this animal as totem:

• The primary meaning of the bear spirit animalis strength and confidence
• Standing against adversity; taking action and leadership
• The spirit of the the bear indicates it’s time for healing or using healing abilities to help self or others
• The bear medicine emphasizes the importance of solitude, quiet time, rest
• The spirit of the bear provides strong grounding forces"

You can read more about bear as a totem animal:

here

here

here

8-13-14

...sometimes, like the siding on my neighbor's house... things just don't line up right.
We try and try, and things are just "off."
This is how this whole week has been for me.
Not sure the cause... not sure the fix...
but there it is.

Couple that with recent news articles, the passing of Robin Williams and Lauren Bacall...
and well, it's easy to feel down, depressed.... like there is no hope for the future.
And yet, in an odd way; we can be grateful for these rough times.
Because... it can motivate us to do better... be more thoughtful... be more kind
.... to remember that we all have our trials and tribulations... even when it's not visible to the masses. We have no idea the road others have walked.
That we all sometimes suffer... and sometimes that suffering is in silence.

And so we must remember to be more caring... more compassionate... more empathetic.
Listen more, judge less... help when we can.

Take it easy, my friends.
See you tomorrow.

8-12-14

sometimes we get stuck in regret.
The woulda-coulda-shoulda's of life.
The "if only's"...
The thought that I've missed my chance
or I've screwed up and there's no fixing it...
the ... I should have known... I should have done better.

But we have to remember that ... it's the past.
We aren't living in the past... so why should our thoughts be there?
Yes, we've all messed up.
I am certainly no exception.
But I think there comes a time for most of us... when we have to buck up... and just get over it.
I am sure for most of us, we did the best we could.
And it's done.

It's time to look to the future.
It's time to think in positives.
It's time... for us to shine...
for us to be happy.
To be.

And so it is.

8-11-14

Carp, otherwise known as Koi fish.... are known for their trans-formative power.
As totem animals, they are said to bring abundance, prosperity, bravery, endurance, strength... and wisdom from the elders.
An auspicious sign in Asian traditions... they are considered truly blessed.

I was fortunate to be able to visit a friend the other day, and her immediate neighbor has some lovely gardens and a koi pond.
How wonderful! (to say I was jealous though, is probably an understatement)... but it was a treat to be able to see and enjoy.
Luckily, I was able to take a few photos... and one of them is included in today's post.

In the book I've been reading and sharing with you all... I am coming down to the final few chapters.
The current one is all about "looking under the rock."
Ie: what is it that is holding you back from success?

The author lists several points to ponder:
-self sabotage
-fear of failure
-fear of success and what that might mean
-all about talent... because it isn't always about who has the most talent...
-stubbornness, entitlement, jealousy, disappointment, and the comparison "game"...

yep, it's all there.
The ugliness of it all.
But also, the realization that... we are indeed human.

We wouldn't feel jealous (or whatever) if deep down... we didn't believe that we could do it as well.
And that's a good place to start.
We can, indeed, do it.
We can be successful... whatever "success" means to us.
That, every time some one else is successful; it really opens up the opportunity for us as well.
After all, they are not taking our success... there is plenty of that to go around.
It's not like there is a finite amount of success in the world... and if someone else gets some...
there won't be any for us.

So.... go on.
Make a mess of it.
Make a big sloppy mess of your art life.
It will be OK.


--------------------------

to read more about koi as a totem animal:
look here
and here

for the weekend

This weekend, is my husband's 30th class reunion... and there are a couple get-togethers... so it will no doubt be a busy couple of days. It seems like this month there are several class reunions and get-togethers, as I have seen signs and announcements for different classes around town.
It's amazing to me how time flies by.
Wasn't it just yesterday when I walked down the aisles of the high school... my satin gown causing static from my brand new pair of nylons; bought just for this occasion?
Or yesterday, when I picked up my nursing cap from Sr. Remigia... a new RN... ready to take on the world...
or yesterday, when I held my newborn son... and my daughter just 16 months later...
... and in turn; watched them graduate and move on...

life goes by awfully fast.

And on that note... I hope you are enjoying the weekend so far.
Here are some links for you to browse thru:

*about this weekend's SuperMoon
*16 of the most magnificent trees in the world
*chateaus outside Paris
*recycle WIN
*optical illusions
*gangsta cross stitch
*photographer Rocky McCorkle 
*bahn Mi Poutine
*10 things you didn't know about SPAM
*homemade soft pretzles
*deep cleaning hacks
*10 things you should do every day
*41 insanely cool vintage Celebrity wedding photos

8-8-14

It's late, I'm tired... and I am late posting on today's blog post.
>>sigh<<

But.
Great fun was had today...
*stopping to get my mom; and drive her all around town on my errands...
*stopping at the local ambulance hall as they were  having a GREAT chicken barbecue...
so we all got a fabulous lunch/dinner of BBQ chicken, homemade baked beans and macaroni salad.
*stopping at the Farmer's Market, where I not only got to visit with some great people...
but I also came home with local blueberries, raspberries, squash, spinach, beets, tomatoes and bread.
YUM!!!
Unfortunately, I didn't have enough funds this week to also get the home-made WINE and honey...
but that will be at the top of my list for next week.

It's been an odd summer.
More often than not; the weather has been more evocative of spring or autumn...
with very few truly hot and/or humid days... which is OK with me.
After 18yrs of living in a desert climate.... spring/ autumn weather with lots of rain, cooler temps, and overcast skies... suits me just fine.

The next chapter in the book I am reading... is all about organizing your space.
I worked for several years as an organizer, and I loved it.
In fact, my last job had a lot to do with organizing, cleaning and reselling things...
so, obviously, this is something I like to do.
One of the drawbacks to our current house; having moved here in October... was that the basement is wet, damp, dark and dreary. We had started the process of turning it into a nice studio space... and it was actually working out quite well... until the winter snows started to thaw; and we got flood after flood in the studio. Lots of items were ruined. Many supplies were lost.
Things are still in a state of chaos down there on a lot of levels.
Over the course of the next couple of weeks... I really want to get the studio space back up and running well. It will involve lots of organizing, cleaning, and painting and more.

The chapter in this book talks about specific ways to organize... ie: getting rid of things you don't use, selling off items you think you can and/or gifting them, putting things in places where they make logical and useful sense. That sort of thing. Most importantly, about finding out what systems work for you... and using them. And conversely, figuring out what isn't working for you... and getting rid of it.

example: if you find you do most of your work in the dining room... make your dining room your office space. Make it work. Quit trying to work in a space that you don't enjoy. Get rid if that desk you hate, etc.
All good advice... see you tomorrow.

8-7-14

Today was spent running errands, finishing up a couple small tasks, and visiting a couple of friends.
It was broken up briefly by a few minutes of shear panic when I thought I had lost my camera... (my only functioning camera and lens). Needless to say, I was beyond worried... until I found it resting where it shouldn't have been... smack dab in the middle of my kitchen table.
And yes, I refuse to believe I am getting "old" or scatterbrained.
LOL.

At any rate.
I was able to spend a couple hours visiting some people I greatly admire, and along the way...
I also was able to take a few photos in a fabulous garden.
Good visits, good people, good conversation... and for me... taking photos.
A perfect day.


(the photo is of a "rose of sharon" bush in the gardens where one of my friends lives.
The sun was in a perfect position... seemingly coming to shine on that particular blossom,
at that particular moment... and perhaps it was)

8-6-14

So the next part of the book I've been reading... is all about money matters.

The author begins by talking about perceptions people have about money... the whole school of thought on the "starving artist"... and such. About how artists (in general) tend to think in terms of:
"I am no good with money"... "I don't have any money" .... "selling art doesn't make any money"...
And how improving things to do with money, involve changing our mindset from thinking badly about money... to being a bit more open minded. And believing that, like anything else... money is just a form of exchange. That we are more adept at handling money than we probably give ourselves credit for.
After all, we've gotten to this point in our lives having dealt with money all our life in some form or another. We have experience. We know the value of things, we appreciate the time and effort it takes to make things... we've bought, we've sold.
So then the author talks about changing our perceptions again.
From thinking... I can't afford such and such to improve my art business...
to thinking... how can I make this possible. What can I do to make this thing happen?
So I can work better, advertise to more people, have supplies to make this thing... whatever the case may be.
And how this all revolves around making and keeping a budget.

I know. Believe me. I know.

So the author goes on to describe a simple way to figure out a budget for a project, based on:

~Figuring basic costs of materials
~Associated services: such as if you need to hire an electrician, lawyer, whatever to further the project along
~Adding in missing income. Ie: while you are working on this project, what will you lose in terms of potential sales, time in the studio, etc
The important thing here... is to have a clear number to work with.

Once you know what you need to come up with; there are hundreds of ways to come up with the money... and your mind will automatically start brainstorming ways to do that.

8-5-14

...what a busy weekend this was!
Crazy busy and wonderful... with lots of encouragement from friends and acquaintances who stopped by my booth at the local Herb Festival... which really gave me pause and motivation to "keep on" doing what I am doing. It is always such a boost to hear that people like what you do... and that you do it well.
The whole event was marred only by a brief encounter with a person who felt the need to chew me up one side and down the other. And I am still baffled by it all.

It's funny. You can have 10 compliments and positive reactions... but what sticks with you... (or at least me)... is that one criticism or complaint. That one... you should have done this... you ought to do that...
It's always funny to me why we (I) as humans do this.
You'd think we would tend to treasure the 10 positives... but instead... more often than not, we tend to fixate on that one thing someone thought we did wrong. Or could have done better... or whatever.

And equally puzzling to me... why do people feel the need to create such drama in other people's lives? Why say that 15 minutes of ugliness? Does it serve a purpose? Why would a person, (a supposedly sane and kind person) go up to someone and dress them down? tear them apart? talk bad about their friends... question their motives... spew stories of vomitous wrath?
I have no idea.
I can only guess that they are very unhappy in life; and in some bizarre way... it makes them feel better about their own existence.

so... what do we do when things like this happen?
First off... we have to realize that it's probably not something we did... or even said.
Mostly likely, when people lash out like this; it's more about them... than you.
If however, it is something you did; apologize.
Life is too short to have regrets or things left unsaid.
It's then up to them to forgive or not... but at least you've done your part.


In this case, however... I have to believe that the majority of it was complete fabrication.
Words meant to inflict pain, cause doubt, stir the pot.
What to do then?

What I probably should have done, was to try to refute all the hogwash.
Although, it would have done no good at all... some people are just set in their opinions... and the more you try to correct them, the more of a storm it becomes.
There's nothing you can do to change them, and often times it's just easier to walk away... which is what I did. ... knowing that there is no helping people who:
1. don't want to have the record straight
2. have a need for such drama in their lives
3. and seem to have a different story for each person they tell it to

I feel bad for them in a way. Life has enough going on without the need to create problems... to create situations... to make up stories just to see where it will go.
All I can do is be responsible for my response.
Show as much kindness towards them as I can muster... walk away... and try to let it all go.

I browsed the internet for some ideas, and there was some good content out there:
Here
here
Here
and here

And on that note... let's all try to remember the 10 positives.
Much love to you all... see you tomorrow.