Thank you!!!

Thank you so much Elena, Suz and April (and many others) for your kind thoughts, words and support. Elena, I really appreciate the offers of an ear and a shoulder more than you know. I just haven't felt very communicative lately! I'm trying to "get back up on the horse" so to speak! I love, love, love Christmas and it's just totally going against my grain to not be "doing" Christmas the way I normally would! But even when the mind has been willing the body has not. First I couldn't get past the sluggish lack of energy and then I came down with a nasty cold. It feels like the universe was making me go easy on myself, whether I wanted to or not!!! I have been thinking a lot about your idea, Elena, to pick a word for the year. The word that keeps popping into my head is EXPAND. It goes along with my favorite quote----"The world shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." I think my most favorite quote of all time is by Einstein---"Is the Universe Friendly???" It's all about attitude!! Sure I'm sad, sure I hate losing my mom BUT there is still a great big life out there waiting to be lived!! And slowly, but surely, I will get back into living it!!! And the support of people like you guys is a HUGE blessing. Thank you!!!!

The Early Bird

Up early today, watching a sunrise that I want to call "fuzzy navel" orange for some reason!! It's beautiful, whatever color it is!! Hoping to make the most of the next 24 days---soooo much to fit into each one. Wanting to have a good Christmas but knowing there will be sadness---just don't want the sadness to take over!! Every day is a gift. Reeeeeeeeally looking forward to the Christmas retreat at the Center this weekend!! AND the Susan Branch luncheon next Tuesday!!
So many thoughts, so many ups and downs, but HEY! That's life, right???? I have much to be thankful for!! Pardon my rambling this morning!! Wishing everyone a joyful day!!!

In Loving Memory

Eleanor J. Peterson

1-15-1927 to 11-9-2009

You are not forgotten, loved one

Nor will you ever be,

As long as life and memory last

We will remember thee.

We miss you now, our hearts are sore.

As time goes by we'll miss you more.

Your loving smile, your gentle face,

No one can fill your vacant place.

The way life unfolds....

In the past 1-2 yrs. (mostly just this past year) I have noticed people entering my life. Some are old friends I've reconnected with and some are new. Some I've only "talked" to on-line and have never met!! It's hard to explain but I've just been very aware of this "phenomenon" taking place. Now I see how they have been sent to me for a purpose. As my mom slowly leaves my life and leaves behind a huge void in my life and in my heart, I see people stepping in to help fill the hole. And I am so very thankful. I know it will be ok. I know I will survive. Life will be good again.

Can't wait!!

Tomorrow morning I'm off to the Art Institute (train ride!!! love the train!!!). I will see the Caldecott Award winners on display----love, love, love the illustrations in a lot of children's books!! And, I will see the new modern wing and find something to write my next paper on! It will be homework and an artist's date combined! I really look forward to being able to wander and take my time in the museum. Haven't been there for quite some time. The Art Institute was the site of one of my first and most memorable artist dates when I started AW about 5 yrs. ago. I was sitting alone, eating lunch, when 2 women who were old classmates from
Australia asked if they could join me. One was a potter and the other did some other type of art which I can't remember. They asked me why I was there that day and I told them about AW and artist dates and they totally got it!!! They thought it sounded wonderful and wished me good luck on my journey. It was soooooooo rewarding because this came shortly after I had tried to explain the AW to some neighbors at a Xmas party and I could see their eyes glaze over and they looked like they were thinking,"Ok, she's a flake, she's lost it!". I have never discussed it with them again!! Even though I really like them all. Staying away from "wet blankets"!!!

Sniff Sniff

A fun night out last night at P.F. Chang's with my very "crafty" neighbor ladies!! It had been a long time but now we are back on our monthly schedule (I think!). Everyone is so busy!!! But now I wake up today with a cold!!! How can this be?!?!? Too much to do to be sick right now!!! Time to ATTACK-----vitamin C, ecchinacae(?), hot tea with lemon and honey, zinc cough drops......I'll try anything!!!

What to do?!?!??!

It looks like a beautiful Fall day today!!! And so, the question arises, how to make the most of this day??? Too many choices!!! I think maybe a drive with my mom to see the gorgeous changing leaves is the answer!!! Forget the house, the yard, the laundry, the bills AND the messy art room beckoning me!! They will still be there tomorrow but this weather may not!!

You need chaos in your soul to give birth to
a dancing star.
-Nietzsche-

Epitaph

The wonder of the world, the beauty and
the power, the shape of things, their
colours, lights and shades; these I saw.
Look ye also while life lasts.

Originally from an old gravestone in
Cumberland, England.

The Birthday Boy!

20 yrs. ago today, 4:55pm, 8lbs. 10oz!!! Time has really flown. Nothing has been better than being a mom!!! Not a very recent pic of the hubby and son but it will have to do for now. I had the best time making a birthday card yesterday!! I do so much better when I have an "assignment" to do!!! Can someone please assign me some homework?!?!?!

Tetons

Arent' they "Grand"???? I wish I felt grand!! Busy day, busy week. Artist's Way this morning---can't wait as I missed last week! Class at Moraine tonight. And, in between, working on a birthday card for my son!!! Trying to come up with something that incorporates his favorite bands. Wish me luck!

Progress????

Well, ain't this lovely!! I can now upload photos from my computer but only my son's photos, not the ones I really want!! These are some of the 1000's of autographs he has collected over the years. I guess maybe this is a step in the right direction......maybe. Back to the drawing board!!!

Murder!!!

I tried to suck you in with that title!! Did it work?!?!? Actually, I was just wondering if anyone likes reading murder mysteries as much as I do?? And who are your favorite authors?? I like everything from quaint Agatha Christie stories to the very gruesome Patricia Cornwell books. Other big favorites are Elizabeth George, Martha Grimes, P. D. James, Margaret Yorke, Dorothy Simpson.......I really like the Brits!!! But some of my favorites are getting old and dying so I need to find new ones to replace them. Can't believe I forgot my BIGGEST favorite--Nevada Barr. She writes National Park mysteries. I get lonesome for her main character, Anna Pigeon, when a new book hasn't come out for awhile!! Crazy, aren't I?!?!??!

Question

I have some questions for my blogging buddies!
1. Does your husband know you have a blog?
2. Does he read your blog?
3. Do you want him to read your blog??

I am just curious. I haven't told my husband yet. It's not like it needs to be a big secret but I'm really not sure I want him to read it. Not sure why. I guess I just want it to be read by like-minded people and sometimes that is not what he is.

Beautiful Day!!

If I don't get outside to enjoy the weather soon I'm going to lose my mind!! Too many unexpected interruptions today!!! I'm NOT answering the phone anymore!!!! So there. Harrumph!!

Back Home Again

Well, after a slight deviation in plans due to a plumbing problem, I'm ready to catch up on things!

I had to miss my Artist's Way group to wait for the plumber today. I was sooooo looking forward to it. Oh well---next week!! I had a great time in Madison with my old roomies. I was "balking" on Friday---thinking, "I haven't seen them for 30 years, why do I need to see them now?!?!?". Just nerves I guess. One of the girls, Renee, lives out in the country and has a barn and animals. And they raise the animals to EAT!! She said it's hard because she is the one who feeds them and gets attached to them. She has 3 sons, all students at UW-Madison right now. We met the 2 younger ones (twins) who are freshman this year. Seemed like nice kids! Her husband works for Ducks Unlimited. The other girl, Dianne, is half Japanese and is a VERY good artist!! And she is a sign language interpreter in the school system. Her husband is also a very good artist, middle school art teacher AND has a real live studio outside of the home!! Lucky fellow!!! Their home was filled with their art and it was so WONDERFUL to wander around and see it all! Sure makes me feel unproductive though!!! Why don't I get more done?? Last year Dianne went to Japan with her mom and sister. It was her mom's first time back since she got married and moved here over 50 yrs. ago!!! I guess they had quite the good time reuniting with relatives over there!!! Dianne also makes beautiful hand made boxes and she bought lots of gorgeous Japanese papers in Japan for much less money than she could get them here! She is one of the most generous people I have ever known and she went thru all her papers and cut a chunk of each to give to me!! I couldn't believe how much paper she gave me!! I think I will have to share it with some of my collaging friends!!

Other than that, we had a great time reminiscing, looking at old photos, reading old letters, strolling thru Madison's huge farmers market, stopping in little shops and galleries and eating in cool restaurants. Also wandered the campus and it is so beautiful!!! We parted on Sunday with plans to get together more often in the future!! Sure hope we follow thru!!!

Yesterday's "Play Date"

I had a wonderful time playing yesterday but I did notice that I kept putting it off until later and later in the day--some self sabotage going on there! Once I finally sat down and started it was wonderful!!! I had a few moments where I was judging my efforts too harshly but the end result of it all was that my mind is racing with all sorts of things to try with those watercolor crayons!! But, as usual, it has to wait because today I have to get ready to leave town for the weekend, when I come back I have lots of homework to do and, chances are, it will be DAYS before I can get back to it!! Sorry if I sound like I'm whining. It's just that this seems to be the pattern. A tiny bit of art gets done and then life takes up all my time. But I am going to try to fit in a little bit of creative time at least several times a week!! Wish me luck!!
I'm afraid I am having no luck as far as posting photos!! I will keep trying! Sometimes they say they are uploaded but I can't find them anywhere---am I missing something??????

Today I Shall Play.

Yesterday, when I was busy running errands and doing things for everyone except myself, I made a vow that today would be for ME!! So, I am going upstairs to PLAY with the new, larger set of watercolor crayons I ordered about a month ago. I discovered them this summer at my class in Door County and I just love them!! Such rich, vibrant colors!!! Time to get started!!

Old Friends

I had such a nice lunch with an old friend today! We've been friends since 3rd grade but don't see each other very often. We reconnected about 2 years ago and it was like no time had passed at all---we just picked up where we left off!! We both discovered that we had turned into pretty amazing adults! AND....synchronicity here......she had done the Artist's Way!! She is a woman who is born to perform!! Acting, singing, comedy........you name it!!! I feel lucky to know her!!

Sorry

I'm sorry. I'm feeling very quiet lately. There's a lot going on but I just need to keep it inside for now and sort through it slowly. Life is so great and can be so hard, all at the same time!!

Anyone????

Does anyone remember Mickleberry's Restaurant??? I think it was on 95th street somewhere east of Western Ave.? I have such fond memories of going there for Easter breakfast! A log cabin building with woven reed-type chairs. Anyone??

Yellowstone on my mind!

"No town park you have ever been accustomed to saunter in is as free from danger as the Yellowstone. It is a hard place to leave."
-John Muir-

From My Dad's Favorite Poem

There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.

The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert W. Service

More Favorites That Come to Mind!!

The books of Laura Ingalls Wilder

The illustrations of Joan Walsh Anglund and Eloise Wilkin

And don't forget Jan Brett, Susan Branch, Tasha Tudor,

Tomie DePaolo, Eric Carle and Mary Engelbreit!!!

The movie "Under The Tuscan Sun"

The watercolors of Bridget Austin

The art of Carl Larsson

The Clearing in Ellison Bay

Murder mysteries--especially English ones!

Christmas cookies

Anything Swedish

Wildflowers

Patchwork quilts

The dunes

Beach rocks and driftwood

Primary colors

Stormy skies

The moon---any phase!!

The list goes on and on!! Think I'll save some for another day!!!

By Shel Silverstein---One of my Favorites

HUG O' WAR

I will not play at tug o' war.
I'd rather play at hug o' war.
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

The Paper

The paper is coming along! I need to learn how you do a bibliography these days!! By the way, it's about a sculpture at Midway Airport called Rara Avis. It's by Hemlick and Schechter and since researching this sculpture I have discovered that I LOVE their work!!!

Homework!!

Time to get to work on my paper for my Art Appreciation class at Moraine Valley. I'm learning a lot!! It's amazing how the old brain is so much more receptive and appreciative of learning at this stage of life!! Wish I could tell all those 19 yr. olds a thing or two but......they will have learn it on their own-----just like me!! Off to do research!!!

Artist's Way

The Artist's Way group at the Center started up again today----thank goodness!! I have really missed the wise ladies and the peace and serenity that the Center brings me!! I can't wait to get my book and start reading!!!

Wow!!! I can't believe I did this!! I don't know what I will post on here but, I enjoy reading the blogs of other people so much that I thought I would give it a try. Nothing ventured, Nothing gained. Right???