Progress

Today, I was able to gather my thoughts enough to work on this....

Struggling

It seems the frustration will never end! The recent political situation has only added to derail my search for a quiet mind. I don't think I'm the only one feeling this way theses days.
  I did find the energy to complete my healthcare application, because I HAD to finish it, so I will have some coverage till it all goes to hell. Still a few more steps to make sure I'm registered properly.
 Past experience of doing all the right things to make something work, then being met with gut wrenching disappointment, haunts every step I take these days. But, I will put one foot in front of the other and meet each day with the hope for a better tomorrow. There's really not an acceptable alternative.

Frustration continues

So here are the photos of most recent yard and art projects. I do hope this posts.

Frustration abounds

But not for long.....
The past few weeks have tested my patience and resolve. Family trouble, love problems, friends in need, computer dead ends....ugh!
Lots of negative energy built up around me, so I worked on a yard project that was floating in my head for months. An art project or two await my capable hands. I will find peace in all this.

This project is more complete than represented in these photos, and photos of art projects are elsewhere than this machine. I will endeavor to post updates as soon as I figure out how...

Back at the machine!

For the past couple of weeks, I have had to be away from my own sewing, due to other obligations. I get very cranky when this happens.....but I finally got back in the groove. My friend, Veronica, who is a fabric sales rep, told me about a couple of companies that have some very nice designs. So, I got online and two glasses of wine later, I had ordered three pieces of extremely nice knits.
  I've been wearing leggings during the cold weather the last few years and have been searching for some printed ones, to no avail. Two of the pieces of fabric I ordered are going to be made into leggings, the first pair is already done! They fit pretty good, but might need some tweaking and definitely the second pair will have the bugs worked out. The knit tends to "grow" with wearing and I should make them a bit smaller! I'd put a photo on here, but it's on my Ipad and hasn't been transferred to here. Next time....
  The other piece of fabric is a lovely linen knit in charcoal grey, which is going to be a top of some design. It shrunk quite a bit in the wash, boo, but there's enough for something nice.
  I bought a pattern for a top that one of the Memphis Sewing Guild members recommended. I'm looking forward to getting that together as well as a couple of cute jumpers from a Japanese dress pattern book I purchased a few months ago. All summer, I wore dresses of one style or another and got so many compliments. Plus it was so much more comfortable than shorts or jeans in the incessant heat and humidity we've had.
  There's still a quilt to be finished and I've started on another art quilt. AND I have to sew a broken vase back together for the TN Craft collaborations show in February. That project will be all by hand.
  I'm certainly not lacking for entertainment.

Birthday photos

Last weekend was my 64th birthday. I had a really wonderful day! Got cards in the mail, the real mail, the snail mail, remember?

Number two son took me out for breakfast and plant shopping. Such a sweet boy!

this happy moment came to a screeching halt 2 weeks ago, but I shall carry on...

Best boyfriend on earth took me out to some nice bars, bought girly drinks and appetizers, stayed out late.....

A busy day

For some reason, on Saturday, I felt compelled to accomplish many tasks. I got on a sewing jag, completing a couple of newly inspired projects, making a near futile quest for a cheap bag of ice, then doing a useless chore that proved most gratifying. I am mystified, yet happy. 

  Looking forward to many more tasks in the coming days and I know how satisfied I'm going to be when they are done....

These photos are from a corner in my house. A great place to rest ones weary eyes, don't you think?

Inspration from odd places

While looking at photos of the recent art show, I saw a common thread in a couple of the pieces I had on display and realized I had not done it on purpose. But, it looks pretty good and now I'm excited for the next "big" artwork I want to make. Plus, it's going to be from an image I made long ago, like the swans.
Today, I did some of the start up work for this next quilt.....I'm very happy to be inspired to do more big pieces.....I've let this part of my life sit idle too long.

Upcoming birthday musings

Oh dear, the days go by so quickly! Another anniversary of my birth is looming on the horizon.

  Such a lovely weekend, what with the art show and basking in all that glory of seeing friends and various others telling me how wonderfully creative I am. Almost an altered state, maybe a "high" of sorts.

Spent most of Sunday afternoon sorting art from the public display to its return to closets and walls in the hovel. Sunday evening, well spent, resting with compadre. 

 Monday, indulging myself in laughing and sharing creative conversation with trusted friends. Sometimes, Monday is the best day I can think of.

 Now, I'm thinking of the few days ahead, anticipating a small celebration for my birthday. At one point, I envisioned a grand party, but thought better of it. Since my special day almost always falls on the national holiday honoring those who actually work for a living, and nearly everyone has made plans for otherwise activities, I decided to forgo such nonsense. 

  I have outlived my father by a year and I pray to whatever is out in the universe that I will come close to living as long and productively as my dear departed mother, rest their souls. 

    Two sisters have gone before me in not so many more years as I have been celebrating my time on our lovely planet. I have thrown away all the pills and potions prescribed to me in an effort to ease the troubles of this modern life. I have pretty good hair and skin at this day and age. I have an attentive lover who appreciates the time and energy I can share with him. 

  Yes, I could complain about nit picky details......plenty of that...but why waste precious energy?  

We'll see how the next few days play out and hopefully the following post will be of a most happy day full of stories of how I celebrated my 64th birthday. 

Maybe I'll just stay home and listen to Beatles songs all day, then go to eatery around the corner for super girly martinis! In any event, there will be photos!!!

Crosstown 'Clectic, part two

The art show was a lot of fun, even though I didn't sell anything. It was great to have some of my work shown, especially pieces I'd never had on display before. Friday night's opening crowd was decent and stayed consistent the entire evening. Today, the traffic was good and we had people all day. 

 My gal pals came both days, and I'm really happy they did. The other artists in the show were fun to be with, too. There was good energy in the venue which made for a relaxing two day show. I hope I get a chance to do something like this again. Most shows are too expensive for me, with the jury fees and booth prices, and my work has to be priced pretty high since I make big, sometimes complicated pieces, and am not really expecting to make any sales. All in all, it was a positive experience. 

Crosstown 'Clectic

The group show and sale is this weekend and I think I'm ready.....I have a really great new piece to show in the gallery section, and am getting the rest of the work together, mostly older pieces that I really like. I'm not expecting any sales and it will be good to have my work shown. It's been a while. The little quilt I made for the Beatle's book finally came back, with the label that was made, plus a list of all the places it has been exhibited. I decided to bring all that plus some of the other pieces I've made over the years that were published in different books and magazines, along with the publications. Maybe I'll get a little street cred! Hahaha

    The biggest thing I hope comes out of this show is to get inspired to make more art. I've let that side of life go by the wayside for too long. Of course, I still have obligations and bills to pay. My yard is a complete wreck, as well. My life is so very different from what it was three years ago. I'm no longer depressed and anxious. I know things can be the way I want them to be, to the degree anyone of my social and financial standing can have anyway.....

.....anyway.....the rest of this week needs to be spent sorting, making tags, and maybe a dress rehearsal of the table set up, to work out any kinks. The best part is, the venue is only blocks from the house. It's in the up and coming new arts district and the group has been plugging it on social media like mother fuckers! If I remember, I'll take photos to post here. 

   My birthday is coming up soon, too. At one point, I thought of throwing a party, but then I've had to pay property taxes and insurance on top of the regular bills, so maybe next year. At least I'll have somewhere to live. That's one of the things that I can make happen and feels pretty good, considering it was the main thing I was depressed and anxious about three years ago.

Back to Blogging

The inspiration for new artwork

I was reminded to tend to this blog by a good friend, so here I am, Deborah!!
   Yes, a lot has happened since my last post, good things mostly, a few crazy things, nothing too awful. 

The soft opening of summer has become nearly intolerable heat for weeks on end, accompanied by the usual Mid South humidity along with pop up afternoon showers and excessive heat warnings, from the National Weather Service. My yard has gone to hell, due to the heat and my lack of stamina to be out in it! On the other hand, sewing is coming along quite nicely, as I sit in air conditioned comfort. I have the utility bill to prove it.....
   Some of this sewing is being directed at a new art piece for an upcoming show. It's a group show with other artists from Tennessee Craft-Southwest,(www.tennesseecraft.org), August 26-27, at Crosstown Arts, one of the most eclectic venues in town. In an effort to showcase local talent, the price for the space is VERY reasonable, and attendance is usually pretty good, especially opening nights. Some of my artist friends have been in exhibits there the last few years and I am quite proud and happy to have my work showing there.
   The crazy stuff involved a couple personal relationships, and I don't want to air any dirty laundry here. My peace of mind is much better for dealing as I have, with these certain people, although closure is far away. Right now, I'm okay with letting it ride.
    The best thing is the continuing romance with the sweet man I met last spring. He's just about everything I've wanted in a relationship. We are very well suited for each other in so many ways--we are good friends to each other. We like a lot of the same types of entertainment and thank goodness we are both easily amused! The lovin' is great, too, but that's for my secret diary, not the internet. We guard our privacy, being oldsters as we are. None of this putting EVERYTHING into public domain like a lot of younger folk are wont to do.
  I think the best aspect of being part of this couple is the relaxed attitude of us. We keep our private spaces to ourselves and are very together when we are not apart. Perfect for someone my age, after so many years of trying to keep a relationship going, when I should have moved on. But things happen when they do for whatever reason. Like going to lunch at Pho Binh that day.....
   Okay, that's it---I've told my story in the vaguest way possible. I can say I got what I asked for a few years ago---a dull and boring life!!

The soft opening of summer

Just like a new restaurant, the soft opening of this new season is Memorial Day. The real one will be the celestial day of fire and wishes for bumper crops of tomatoes and all the tasty summer veggies! The longest day of the year, before REAL Memphis summer sets in, to remind us how happy we are for air conditioners and wish the guy (or gal) who invented it gets a Nobel prize!
  The past weekend was very good and restful for me. After a night out of dancing to tunes from my youth, wherein I invoked the suggestion of dancing like no one is watching, I had a quiet, unplugged morning. A mind relieved of constant chatter is worth more than gold! Caught up on magazine reading, gave quiet thought to progress of next couple of art works, put my harried world aside for a moment.
   If you read my last missive, you will understand what next transpired. Yes. I jinxed myself. My bad. My firstborn young'un got back into my house. That's my bad, too. As my man friend says, solitudus interruptus. This happened last weekend, with large child promising to stay for only two days. It has been how many now? Which I have given constant updates on just how many?
   After four and a half years in the chair, I had come to grips with inherited enabling tendencies. Tough love was at the forefront, but in a weak moment it all fell to the wayside, and alas, I'm here now swimming in regret. So this day and the few before this one, I am gathering strength to fight the good fight to save my hard won solitude. Most of my lovely life (all the miserable days are distant sad memories now) I have cared for one person or another, and not regretted a day of it. As a daughter, a mother, a wife, a sister, all that time was freely and mostly lovingly given to that care. Those days are past. Time for me now, selfish as it sounds, I don't care. There's a line in the sands of time, folks!
   There's a summer waiting for me. Gardening, art making, dinner plans, lazy mornings and weekends, calling me to wander about in my big old house and yard, alone and loving it!

The happiness continues

 Maybe I won't jinx myself by admitting this, but life is coming along very well for me these days. After many weeks getting my house arranged to my liking and finishing several projects, I'm looking forward to a bit of free time.....sleeping late, indulging myself in art work, pulling weeds in the yard for an entire day......hours upon hours to myself without expectations from anyone.
  I'm especially looking forward to getting back to art work. So many ideas that need to be made whole. I feel the need to unplug, to leave the phone in a secluded place, so I can be completely alone until I want to not be so alone. As much as I love technology and all it can enhance one's place in the world, some days beg to be away from all of the intrusion technology brings.
  The idea of crawling in the dirt and green stuff is most appealing. The end result of a tended garden cannot be matched by hours of texting with even your most loved one. And I do love a day of that!!
  On the subject of loved ones, it's been a roller coaster recently. Without revealing too much, there's been a loss of those who are dear to me, an empty space which might be filled with joy in some future time. On the other hand, I've made a new friend who's brought a certain brightness to my days and some evenings, who's made me feel like a better version of myself when I'm in his presence.
   At any rate, it is a wonderful feeling to wake up to a fresh day each morning, to be excited about how many adventures await and the stories to be told of that day.

Spring has arrived

A new chapter in my life has begun. I'm so looking forward to whatever adventure awaits in the coming months and years. It can only be good. Of course, some scrubbing was involved, but anything worthy comes with hard work. Oops, my Lutheranism is showing....

What an honor

The artists group I've belonged to for a long time is starting a feature to highlight an artist periodically. I wrote this short bio and except for the typos, think it's pretty good.  I am surprised that I was asked to be included in this, as there are many other members who have a more illustrious career in the arts. This should appear on the group website and/or Facebook page soon. With photos!!! Of course, this is a short bio. The long version would encompass a novel. That would be considered for a screenplay. The biopic would star Meryl Streep as myself and she would win a fucking Oscar! I tell myself this everyday to make me feel better. And it's working.

My parents came to Memphis after WWII and started having more children. I was the fifth girl, so I had no choice but learn how to sew. When my mother decided I wouldn’t sew my fingers or burn myself with the iron, she let me sew as much as I liked.

Lucky for me, I really loved it. The sound of a sewing machine is invigorating and soothing all at the same time, kind of like cigarettes. I made almost all my clothes as a teenager and my first real job was at Sears in the men’s department, doing alterations. I felt like a millionaire!

  I continued to sew as a young married woman with two small children, and occasionally made clothes for other people.  I worked at a dry cleaners doing alterations, too. 

   There were many other jobs in the meantime, at a photo finishing shop, retail, retail, retail…….at one point I was selling needlework supplies and giving knitting and crochet lessons at Goldsmith”s. Everyday was a learning experience.

  In the 80’s during the last of the heydays of fine fashion fabric stores, I went pro and sewed beautiful things for some very nice people. I taught myself how to construct tailored garments, how to make patterns, fitting adjustments for ladies who found it difficult to buy quality clothing in stores. I made bridesmaids dresses till I pulled my hair out!

I researched unfamiliar techniques in books and magazines, which eventually became a near obsession. I have bookcases FULL of my collections of reference material. Everyday is still a learning experience. 

   One day in the late 90’s, I picked up a quilting magazine and my focus went immediately to more creative sewing adventures. I followed the “rules” for a little while, but decided to teach myself how to make my own colors and designs. I found a different way to do everything, it seemed. 

    I can’t remember how I found the Memphis Association of Craft Artists, but I felt a door had opened when I did. My art was accepted for what it is, an expression of a creative form that didn’t fit into a two dimensional plane stuck on a wall. The other artists and their work enthralled me, as I had never been around talented people who made even functional pieces beautiful and desirable, worthy of showing to the world as art work!

  I loved being in the group and speaking the same language of creativity, and who doesn’t love a fabulous potluck meal!! The day I was asked to be on the board, I was honored and terrified at the same time. Before this experience, I had no idea what it takes to herd cats. But I have nothing but fond memories and continuing fond feelings for what is now Tennessee Craft-Southwest. I hope to continue to contribute to the group in the future, near and far. As always, everyday should be a learning experience. 

   If any of y’all are interested, I post infrequently on my blog at www.sadfugeeface.blogspot.com, (go to fiber art posts) and can be found more frequently on Facebook. 

 

Oh joy

Today, the postal carrier delivered a letter from the public works department of our fair city. It seems I am in violation of yet another ordinance, this one pertaining to the local newspaper's free edition that comes every Tuesday. These publications which contain all the recycled news of the week, pile up at everyone's curb in this neighborhood. 

 Last summer, there was a notice on the door from code enforcement, about my yard being overgrown with weeds. That kind of went no where, then I read in the newspaper, who is leaving unwanted publications in my driveway, which is fueling this latest fiasco, about the supervisor at code enforcement. Seems his underlings have filed a complaint against him for not following up on the complaints citizens have filed against each other. This could work out in my favor, or NOT! And I do not want to rock THAT boat!!!

   I guess I should be prudent in taking the recycled news directly to my lovely recycle cart, according to this latest infraction.

  Oh golly gee, I love midtown. And being a scofflaw......

Little bit of arting

As is common in most municipalities, Friday evening is THE night for art show opening receptions here in Memphis. The local daily newspaper publishes who, what, where and includes a blurb or two from the town critics. I'm sure they get paid by the word.
  There are a few venues in walking distance in this hood, so a couple of gals and myself went to see us some art. The one show was a collection of paintings of the renovation of a long abandoned Sears building. It is a huge project which already is having a positive impact on this part of town. The wine and tidbits were above average for an art opening, I must say. The painting I REALLY want is beyond my budget, only because I have to have trees removed from the property surrounding my hovel. Dang!!
  The next offering was an exhibit of conceptual art (oxymoron?) that took a few moments to catch onto. Loved it!! Nothing was for sale and one of the "rules" of the exhibit was that all works had to be destroyed so as not to be replicated in subsequent shows of the concept. Wouldn't it be wonderful and so validating to be invited to make a piece for this future show!! PLUS---the tidbits were way above average at this opening. The wine, meh, not so much.
    I should be hired to write the post show review for the daily rag. I would not make much money.

Shield maiden

Many photos were taken today. Few were acceptable to my eyes, since I am not the most photogenic person in the world, a trait I inherited from my dear mother. There was one in particular that looked how I feel about myself. Happy, smiling, sure of myself. Not to say I have any reservations of my place in the world, because I am so glad to be here on our beautiful planet and wake up every morning with a song in my heart. 

  Here's the big but. Yes, I was cute as a child in the Campbell soup kind of way, and a super groovy skinny, straight haired hippy girl teenager, but now, as an older lady-cough, cough-I'm less secure of my looks. Whenever I see a photo, I cringe a little. Time and life has taken its toll, as it should when one has lived fully. Vanity is an ever present evil and presents itself in the camera's eye.

   Long ago, one could instruct the painter of your portrait to make a better presentation of your image to posterity. Oh no, not now!! Cameras on phones, the security videos in every place of business, all there to catch you at your less graceful moment. 

  That being said, there were a few pictures that I deemed less awful than the others.

Lunching with the peeps

This was one of the most fun days I've had in a long time. Rosebriar is an eatery way out in the boonies. The lady who lives there has theme lunches on a regular basis and has a really nice retail boutique. The Memphis Sewing Guild went there for our meeting back in October and we had a great time. 

  Lately, Rosebriar has offered "high tea" for all the Downton Abbey fans, so three of my sewing gal pals and I signed up and had a girls day out.  We dressed for the part, met at Patricia's house and piled into Etta's car for the ride out. We laughed, we ate some really delightful treats, and laughed all the way home. The lady at Rosebriar let Vanessa snap a photo-or two or seven-from her now sold out cookbook, of the lovely dishes that were served at the tea. After a bit of retail therapy at the shop, I picked up a few items at the grubbery-Kroger-and made my version of tomato bisque. Delicious!

   Tomorrow's lunch will consist of the tiny absolutely delish radish sandwich. Can't wait!!!

Art show again

This is Michele and me in front of our work at the show. 

Art show

On February 7, the Tennessee Craft-Southwest Collaborations show opened. My partner this year is Michele Price, an super talented potter who makes hand built plates, bowls and vessels. Michele made the ceramic pieces and I finished them with fiber bits. It was so much fun and was a creative stretch for both of us. Plus, the resulting art is fantastic! 

   My friends from all walks of life came by, my son and daughter in law, and the Noodlemans, too. It was a great afternoon. The show will be up till the end of the month and fingers are crossed for sales!! This is just one of the pieces Michele and I made. It's my favorite.

Future food

Here's the nearly completed raised vegetable garden bed. Leaves have been piled in all fall and winter, along with newspapers. Yesterday, a couple inches of compost was spread on top. As you can see, the frame from the unused swing set fits perfectly over the bed. It will make an ideal support for wire and strings to encourage plants to grow vertically, plus an oscillating sprinkler could easily be attached to provide spot watering when conditions are dry. 

   Some plants are being started indoors, but most will be purchased from the local garden center. That makes more sense. It'll be at least six weeks before anything is ready to plant, but seeds for cool weather greens have been sown in the raised bed next to the deck. 

   I'm looking forward to being home a lot more this year and spending time in the garden and working on projects that have lately gone by the wayside. 

Okay, kids.

Having recently learned there ARE actual readers of this blog, I shall continue in this endeavor.
Today was a very good day. Work in the yard continues. Yesterday afternoon, the tree guys came to remove a dead limb that was hanging over the house. A couple days ago the wind was mighty and scared the crap out of me, because of the dead tree parts that could potentially crash through the roof into my kitchen, the heart of my home!
  The scare passed, but a phone call from the guy who had cut some tree limbs awhile back, made me think about the horror story of dead tree parts invading my home. So he came by to rid the danger of certain mayhem to my happy home.
   Then there was a big mess. But not for long. With help from the stalwart Mrs. Gleadhill, the leaves and sticks were dispatched to a lovely stick fire and raised garden bed. The driveway is swept, compost spread on the raised bed and plans made to remove another tree threatening to crash into other parts of the hovel.
    This is just another day on top of another where I feel empowered. I have been able to accomplish more than I ever thought I could a few years ago. Yes, some days I am tempted to indulge myself in sorrow and self pitying, especially when I miss my grandson and want to second guess how I could have handled that fucked up situation any differently. But, there's no going back for useless recrimination. I decided to love myself in spite of all that has passed. Looking at an ad in the newspaper the other day, I thought I might buy myself an engagement ring! Dang!!! I spent that money on trees!!
   The next self love fest will be tomorrow afternoon at the opening of collaborations show. Some other people who love me might be there. It will be a great day anyway. Many more good and great days are ahead of me. Seeds have been sown for this year's garden. New art works are waiting to be created. Blog posts will be written for those who are interested in reading about my wonderful, simple life. I love y'all too.

Another day in Hermitville

More days than not, I realize how lucky and happy I am to be here in the world at this time. Of course, this is mainly due to the happenstance of my birth, to be on this side of this lovely planet, living my lower middle class life in a safe neighborhood, with enough financial resources to keep me fed and a decent roof over my head. None of that has escaped me. All that said, I am awakened everyday with the joyous feeling of meeting life head on, in the way I want to see the particular day ahead of me. 

  This glorious morning I dived into another yard project. For the last few months, I've wanted to redo the shady side of the front yard and was able to chance upon some well priced plants at the end of the season late last fall. My boss called me early to free me from my duties so I armed myself with garden tools and dug up the monkey grass and vinca minor from the front yard. There was wisteria and ivy to battle as well.

   I can't do any deep digging until I know exactly where the jonquils and may apples are, but I was able to rid the surface of most of the ground covers and tomorrow I will cover the almost bare areas with crushed leaves to smother any regrowth. I'll be putting in azaleas, hydrangeas, and maybe camillias in the cleared space. More research needs to be done on the placement of the camillias. There's room for hostas and ferns too. The holly and autumn ferns will go in. The other ones in my yard have been stalwart plantings for the most part, evergreen and hardy growing.

   The compost and rotted leaves will provide some lovely filth too. The raised bed for veggies is coming along and needs a lot of dirty top it off. 

   There's still February to get through, I know. Ice and snow are possible and freezing temps are forecast next week. But I'm getting a jump on the hard work during these nice days and feel recharged being in the sunshine for a few hours. 

  Next weekend is the opening of the Collaborations show, which is going to be very exciting! The art work I've done with Michele has turned out great and I'm happy with it and happy to have spent the time and energy creating it. I probably won't be able to finish the solo piece I wanted to show, but I really don't want to rush it. It needs to be a well created, fine work of art, so I won't push myself and risk messing it up.

Hermitville

I have been happily ensconced in my hovel this weekend, playing with my fabric and sewing machines. It feels so calming to stay busy with projects and working on ideas inspired by fellow artists. Even though there was a lot of hand work involved-ugh-combining Michele's ceramic tiles with my hand printed fabric, the result has become a wonderful art piece. The vessels arrived and await their completion. I am a happy hermit. No more photos till the show opens.
    It's too cold to rake leaves or move dirt anyway. Time for that soon enough. I will be happy to start early spring planting and want to start seeds for some of the crops in the house. Snow peas, greens, chard, etc. I'm sure I can find plants for the late spring/summer plants. The raised bed should be ready soon enough. Gotta get lots of soil to add to the rotted leaves I've been piling all winter.
   I'm still getting to know my new machine as well. I went into settings and thought I had fixed the typing mode to auto spell and capitalize, but NO!!! A thorough investigation is in order! Harumph. And I never ventured to the office supply for the external mouse, so I'm fiddling with the swirly, fingery thing still.
    All in all, it has been a restful weekend. Life is good.

BTW

I have been making a piece of art in collaboration with a friend who makes the most beautiful hand built pottery. The show opens in February, so I'd best be getting on with my bad self and finish!!!

These are the fabrics I painted. 

This is the photocopy I used to screen print the fabric

The omens are good

This rotten head cold took a turn towards coughing fits last night, and I overslept and was late to my duties early this morning. Yet, the day progressed, without any fatalities, and I got errands accomplished, had a delightful lunch of spring rolls, hot tea, and delicious pho! The cure for the common cold.

   When I got home, I went straight to my bed for a 2 hour nap and one of the best crazy dreams I've had in a while. I just love a good crazy dream, especially one I can interpret upon a bit of reflection. 

  Physically and mentally prepared, I went to visit my friend at her demolished house to check on the remodel. Wine in styrofoam cups and festering refrigerator needing unloading were tasks at hand. Of course, hugs and pats on the back to reassure that chaos will bring forth beauty in wonderful new kitchen, perfect for entertaining and production of gourmet meals, which said friend desires. 

   Back to my hovel, to make meatballs and watch 2014 version of Godzilla, sure to inspire a good crazy dream or two.

Technology in the new year

For the last few months, I've been itching to have a new gadget of some sort. I knew I couldn't afford the MacBook of my dreams, so I found this lightweight PC at Office Max while shopping for ink pens. WHAT?? Yes, I came home with HP Stream-the Chromebook killer-for around $230. It's blue, my favorite color and has Windows 10. It also has an internal mouse, which I hate and my next purchase will be a wireless mouse!!!
   My son told me Windows 10 was not of the devil so I decided to give it a try for the reasonable cost of the machine. Of course, I will never give up my other laptop with 7 until the terrible day Microsoft no longer supports that operating system. That machine is full of documents and photos and runs so sloooowwww I only go in there when I absolutely have to. So many files for banking, taxes, insurance, ugh.....it knows all my scanning and printing preferences. It's my friend who's been with me through the hard times and the old days of learning the world of computering.
    I wrote my first blog posts there....good times. Now, hardly anyone reads my blog, yet I can't give it up. I bared my private moments, as much as I dared. Maybe everyone tired of the constant photos and stories of my yard projects. How could that be!!! My yard and garden are awesome! Maybe, I didn't post enough of my artistic adventures. Well, the divorce and need for making a living got in the way of that fun!
    So, here I am, with the new machine. Yes, I'll still use the other PC laptop and yes, I'm still totally enamored of the Ipad, my go to machine, as long as I have wifi. But this new machine, so blue, so fresh, so devoid of crap, oh so sweet. Weighs almost nothing. And did I say it's blue? My favorite color?
    The next time I'm here there will be a wireless mouse because I HATE this swirly, fingery pad!