Camilla started an "organized collections " group. I have not had time to add anything to it until today. Instead of WORKING on my freelance job ... I shot a few of our collections around the house. It is funny how all of our home decorations are collections. We collect:
rocks sea shells feathers beach glass hearts eggs (stone) sticks all the stuff I collect for assemblage! wooden apples
wooden ducks boxes, lots of boxes old photos letters, numbers, scrabble tiles, hot type, old metal stencils, large initials bobbleheads indian baskets wooden folk art fishes roosters Oaxacan folk painted folk art animals small totems seed pods small glass bottles wind-up toys (lots of them) playing cards skulls and antlers miniature chairs fabric paper or fabric lanterns
mismatched wine glasses (etched or decorative) plates mismatched tea cups tea pots japanese tea sets Western (cowboy) china sets
It is rainy, cold, wonderful! Might have a fire today. Have a dinner at friends tonight and have to work on a logo all day today. I wish I had some inspiration.
Tara and I took a PMC class today (all day) at Fusion Beads. It was much fun, the clay is very expensive. I am not sure I will make more of them and add to my growing list of stuff I want to make and do. But learning about it was interesting and the instructor and fellow classmates were fun!
Last night, my friend and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her, 'I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."
She got up, unplugged the TV, and threw out my wine.
Living La Vida Freelance at Coroflot Creative Seeds. An interview with Peter Merholz: What do you look for in a designer? More interesting interviews here.
I might have to put this on my “to-do” list. “Murderers” by Jeffrey Hatcher.
“The Women” by Clare Boothe Luce will be showing at ACT theatre, October 11 - November 18. “The Women” is one of my all-time favorite movies! (Remember "Jungle Red" nail polish?) I don’t think there is a man in the movie but the story is all about relationships gone bad with men. Norma Shearer never looked more beautiful and Joan Crawford plays a role that I suppose is more like her true character.
“Sharpen your claws: In this super-stylish, venomously funny 1930s comedy, a baker’s dozen of Seattle’s top actresses play a group of gleefully backstabbing women who confront marriage, gossip, divorce and friendship—all over a manicure. Beneath the tart tongues and arched eyebrows is a serious consideration of the not-so-good-old days, and of what women are left with when culture strips them of power. You’ve come a long way, baby. Mee-ow.”
Remember Dr. Gene Scott? I assumed and hoped they had tossed him off the air years ago. Crazy televangelist that smoked cigars, pimped his paintings, showed us home videos of him riding his horses, all the time, ranting and raving uncomfortably close to the monitor for his audience to send him money? I would become so disgusted with his holy crap, I called often to complain (in the 80’s). They always hung up on me. We watched this late nights in the design department at the paper. For tortured entertainment. This crazy woman has taken over for him, about 40 years his senior. Come to find out, he died two years ago, this is his third wife, spreading the word. She looks pretty comfortable on stage and in front of the camera because she has had previous acting experience when she dabbled in the porn film industry in her previous life.
I was always shocked that people sent him money. The man made millions of dollars! That the FCC allowed him to stay on the air with his language and IRS didn't lock him up! Hey, Gene, hope you are having a swell time wherever you are right now.
Self-portrait Tuesday. Not a toilet, but never the less taken ... going. Yes, my reflection in the old truck.
Fall on the go.
Fog on the go
And I just caught this piece on Nightly News: What makes you happy? (You might have to look for the video) About how men are more satisfied than women these days, and women are growing more tired and busy. Men Happier Than Women? from the World of Psychology. Well, DUH. I have my theories but that is all I am going to say on the matter.
12 hours later I am driving back to work, wishing had gotten gas on the way home last night. I thought wouldn't it be great if we could have fuelers like fighter pilots that fuel us right on the highway, driving to work? We wouldn't have to stop our cars, get out, pay ... we could save 30 minutes!
And speaking of fuel. If everyone is growing all of these crops for biofuel when are we going to have cars that can use it? I mean, isn't that event years away. Will they store all of that biofuel until it can used?
If you are like me, you enjoy a glass of red wine and a good wine blog to go with it. Good Grape, a husband and wife team in france making wine, La Gramiere. Wine Waves and Quaffability - We taste it, so you don't have to. Cheap Fun Wines and Wine Loves Page and all of their links. Well, there are lots of wine blogs out there, this is just a small sample.
Walking down the street at sunset, the breath of the breeze stopped me in my tracks. I stood there for many minutes taking in smells, fall, fresh air, a fire just started. It was all too much and I almost cried. I think I missed summer, it is almost over and never sun-bathed in my backyard once! My therapist tells me we are not robots, but I am starting to disagree with him on the matter.
I have been under the weather the last couple of days. This afternoon I felt a little better, ventured out to the Edmonds Saturday Market. Ran across a brochure about the Edmonds Art Studio Tour. When I drove mom to church, there was a house right there involved in the studio tour. I didn't look much like visiting with others but I was very interested in seeing what this was all about. Jackie Van Noy was the artist, her work was wonderful, light, colorful and made me smile. If I am feeling up to it, will hit all the studios tomorrow.
My friends, Katie and Doug, had their baby last night! Can't wait to meet Rowan!
The hydrangeas are ready to be cut. The blue ones are turning that great green. Deep magenta. Dark purple. The entire yard needs tending. Honeysuckle and grapes are growing on the roof right now.
Miniature lilacs are turning a wonderful mix of browns.
The neighbors gave us lots of cute, little tomatoes.
I finally took the summer paper lanterns down adorning the dining room ceiling. They are the perfect decoration, easy to hang and store.
My flickr friend, Keith, had this photo of an ancient standing stone in the moors that he saw on one of his walks. It sounded so magical I felt the need to google it and find out more. A guide to ancient stones in Scotland. A beautiful flickr set of Scotland by Rob Gillespie. Stonehenge, stone circles, dolmens, ancient standing stones, cairns, barrows, hillforts and archaeology of megalithic Europe.
When mom lived in Finland, they bought a set of these Tapio Wirkkala glasses. We had them forever and I think in all the moving, they have all gone. I am really just blogging this so I can show mom later and not lose the link. But aren't they lovely?
I received a lovely email from Dorian today, her blog, Uncommon Ephemera. Thank you so much!
I have been away from surfing the internet that long or has there been the biggest explosion of blogs ever? From Dorian's blog I clicked link after link. Most blogs I had seen before, but there does feel like a million new blogs have appeared in a couple of years. Is there a count on how many blogs are on the internet? I would love to know that number.
Okay, this answers my question about why I feel so overwhelmed. The count in 2005 (God knows how many are in 2007 -- number can't be calculated, too many) was 70 millions blogs! via BlogHerald, a resource dedicated to blogging news. To think anyone can even find my little blog in the 70+ million seems impossible ;)
And here is the kick. They are not just blogs ... it seems each and every blog is sports such delightful eye candy and filled to the brim with talent that you want to visit each one everyday! Anyway, here are just a few blogs and sites I have or have not stumbled upon before. So to add to my all ready bloated de.icio.us links .... ;)
Mom mentioned reading something in the newspaper about a wheat shortage in 2008. I have been thinking about and looked it up on the internet today. And then my search led me to Zimbabwe's wheat shortage which I have been listening to NPR for days now. Worldnews network links to several stories about the U.S. shortage, the price of wheat (should concern us) for the next year's food prices. ie Are WE headed for a food shortage as well?
But back to that Zimbabwe matter. We knew this was a train wreck waiting to happen in Zimbabwe with Mugabe destroying, pilfering and giving his supporters and fellow government officials property which was not his to give away. I hate to say this, but I would not support Zimbabwe in their hour of need until Mugabe was ousted. D and I were talking about a better way this could have happened. For instance. The white farmers could have sold off portions of their land, leaving enough farms to produce while the new farms learned the trade and settled in. Makes too much sense? You can read year by year accounts of the destruction here. It is simply a country out of control and ruled by greed.
Then there is Jocelyn Chiwenga, the wife of an army General, poised the be next first lady who is has opened her country to American game hunters for the money. This makes me sick! Who would do such a thing? And how ex-army general, Solomon Mujuru could afford a 4 trillion dollar land purchase? The country and the story mystifies me!
So before I fall into the depths of despair about this world we live in and the mess we are making of it, I did find this amusing entry on Zim Daily entitled: "Global Economic De-Mystified".
1. SOCIALISM: You have 2 cows and you give one to your neighbor.
2. COMMUNISM: You have 2 cows, the Government takes both and gives you some milk.
3. FASCISM: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both and sells you some milk.
4. NAZISM: You have 2 cows. The Government takes both and shoots you.
5. BUREAUCRATISM: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both, shoots one, milks the other and throws the milk away...
6. TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.
7. AN AMERICAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. Later, you hire a consultant to analyze why the cow dropped dead.
8. A FRENCH CORPORATION: You have two cows. You go on strike because you want three cows.
9. A JAPANESE CORPORATION: You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create a clever cow cartoon image called Cowkimon and market them World-Wide.
10. A GERMAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.
11. AN ITALIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows, but you don't know where they are. You break for lunch.
12. A RUSSIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 2 cows. You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.
13. A SWISS CORPORATION: You have 5000 cows, none of which belong to you. You charge others for storing them.
14. A CHINESE CORPORATION: You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim full employment, high bovine productivity, and arrest the newsman who reported the numbers.
15. AN INDIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You worship them.
16. A BRITISH CORPORATION: You have two cows. Both are mad.
18. A ZAMBIAN CORPORATION:You have two cows. You call in investors to look after them for you and wonder why they are not sharing the milk with you
17. A ZIMBABWEAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You eat both.
I keep finding more things I want to post about Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Situation and Zimbabwe: Peace, Justice, Freedom and Democracy, flickr pool. Shirley Nicklin, a Zimbabwean living in the UK and her blog.
Breakfast via a tumble log projectionist. I have coffee in a car in a travel mug for my breakfast every weekday morning. What do you have for breakfast?
I was listening to KCTS while I was doing my Illustration Friday illustration. First they had American Master, Tony Bennett special ... excellent. Then to my surprise, was a "The Last of the Breed", the best of country and western classic music. And I cried when I heard "That's the way love goes" by Merle Haggard. In my teens, while driving around dark highways in West Texas, my best friend, Teresa (in her old car we called ONO, because, oh no, it wouldn't start again) would sing these songs with her wonderful voice. This was one of my absolute favorite songs! I love the C&W classics, they hold so many memories for me. VFW Hall dances, rodeos, ropings, driving down dark Texas highways with stars lighting the way, dancing with my dad ...
I did see Ray Price at a dance hall in Lewisville when I was in High School. Seems so far away now.
Your fairy is called Hex Iceglitter She is a bone chilling bringer of justice for the vulnerable. She lives in places hexed and tainted by black magic. She is only seen in the light of a shooting star. She wears black feathers and rose petals. She has icy blue butterfly wings.
I think I all ready blogged this, or something very similar, but I just love it. Idea Generator by The Directors Bureau Special Projects. via Insanely Great Tees blog.
2 bunches of watercress, thick stems removed (we used lettuce and and some spinach) 2 cucumbers 4 ripe peaches, cut into wedges 1 1-pound piece roast beef, cubed (we seared a steak and cut into thin stips) 1/4 c lime 1 1/2 t sugar kosher salt and pepper 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped 2 t finely grated ginger 1/2 c extra-virgin olive oil 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
In a large bowl, combine the watercress, cucumbers, peaches, and beef. Pour the lime juice into a small bowl and whisk ni the sugar and 1/2 t salt until dissolved. Add the garlic, ginger, and 1/4 t pepper. Slowly add the oil in a steady stream, whisking constantly until emulsified. Stir in the shallots. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or platter nd drizzle the vingaigrette over the top.
Like I said, we altered a little but it was so good!
I have been cleaning up my computer a little, clearing out some photo files I don't want and finding wonderful stuff I had forgotten about. Like this logo/bantop for Miller Design (me and my friend, Katie) that would change out color scheme with each season. I also made a little animation for them, that involved that beautiful ampersand!
Bella Dia has begun a Encyclopedia of Me Meme. Since I haven't had time to read any blogs, I missed it. I wish I had time to participate. Her post are so eloquent and fun and honest. If I have time today, I want to track down other participating bloggers.
I can't believe it has been so long since I made a post. A real post, not just a link post. Blessed Saturday morning! No rushing from bed to car with a travel mug full of coffee. Work is eating my lunch. My brain feels heavy and thoughts, dark. But on Saturday, all seems light! All seems possible.
Several things have happened that I need to say thank you and haven't made time for lately.
The incredibly talented (and highly productive, the woman is literally a creative machine over there) Kathy at Pink Chalk Studio tagged me as a Rockin’ Girl Blogger, along with many others - go check them out. Thank you so much, Kathy.
And I tag Rockin’ Girl Bloggers: * Rita, the funniest woman I know. Not to mentioned talented, smart. You Rock, Rita. Rockin' Rita! * S'mee, Knot In the String. An honest and intelligent journey. * Food Chronicles, get ready to be hungry. * Maureen, Raven's Nest, poet, photographer, lover of nature, landscaper, Mom of Sam, and other talented kids, wonderful friend. You Rock. * Dee at Thea Quilts ... Rockin' quilter and thinker! * Dear Ada, full of links! The blog makes me go OOHHH everytime. You are rockin' my link world, girl.
A package was sitting on my desk on Thursday from my wonderful friend Cynthia. We met so many years ago at a Poynter seminar in Florida and reconnected at SND in Houston a couple of years ago. The package had been "in the building" somewhere for over a year! It was a wonderful box of goodies and when I looked a the postmarked "May 06", I couldn't believe it. Thank you! If she would just start a blog, I would link to her ;)
Artist and freelance curator, Kirsty Hall tagged me as an inspirational blogger. I actually teared up because I feel more like a big blob blog lately than in inspirational blogger. So, from my heart, thank you Kirsty. Her Diary Project blog pure inspiration itself! "The Diary Project is a year long art project. Every day in 2007 I am drawing on an envelope, placing something secret inside and posting it to myself before my midnight deadline." Isn't that a great idea! And her site is chock full of valuable blogging information. The Award originated from Writers Review.
* My first tagged must be Erica. Firstly and foremost as she was my first creative blog addiction! * Susan at Visual-Voice. Her spirit soars and her photography is complete visual treat and inspiration. I wish had time to read and re-read all of her post. * Corey Amaro, Tongue in Cheek ... I always feel I have just jetted off some place beautiful when I read her blog. * Ulla always puts a smile on my face, quickens my heartbeat when I see her links and art. * Blogger friend from in the north, Kate Iredale, Thru my lens, lightly, documenting beautiful life, beautiful things in British Columbia. * Generous, talented fiber artist Deborah Boschert in my old stompin' grounds! You are an inspiration! * Mien's Red Red Day is pure joy to visit.
But I have to say, I have never met a blog that didn't inspire me to my core. All my links are inspirations! And there are so many more that I haven't taken the time to link to.
To top off all of that love with a big, bright cherry, I received an email last night from Becky telling me she loved my blog! She had been reading all of my blog! How much better can it get? Thank you all for making my life so full of love and light!
This photo makes me want to put a sweater on and explore the beginnings of fall. From Naomi's Apair - Double Take, this photo is so soothing. Naomi's blog.
What would happen if every blog published posts discussing the same issue, on the same day? One issue. One day. Thousands of voices. Blog Action Day found via Patricia at papersome.
I look for the beauty in nature, patterns, the ordinary. This is my place where I save wonderful discoveries since 2004. Please contact me at kimberlycarney AT hotmail DOTCOM.
