Studio Window

I'm an Artist-ish

2012-01-26T15:19:00.000-08:00

This sweet picture book was recommended to me by my dear friend Louise. Ish is all about living and enjoying your imperfection. All you really need is to try to do things to the best of your abilities.

In this story, little Ramon loves to draw. His older brother looks over his shoulder and laughs at Ramon's drawing. From that moment forward, Ramon looses his drawing mojo, feeling like his drawings will never measure up to the real deal. Until, that is, his little sister sees the artwork for what it is.

So what if the flower vase doesn't exactly look like the real thing? It looks vase-ish!

Life isn't perfect, and neither is art. One can still be an artist, even if what one draws or paints or writes or stitches is not perfect. So be imperfect -- add your creativity to your world!

.

Ol' Amos McGee

2012-01-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

As a long-time fan of children's literature, I've been collecting the Newbury Award and Caldecott Award books for years. Short as they are, I've not read most of the books in my collection!

So one of my goals for 2012 is to read the Caldecott books. These are the picture books, so the goal is quite do-able, even though I haven't been reading a lot of books lately. (My main reading tends to be blogs these days. Wonder why?)

For Christmas, my librarian daughter, Julie, gave me A Sick Day for Amos McGee written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by his wife, Erin E. Stead. This is a totally charming book!

It's a simple story of an older gentleman, Amos McGee, who rises early each morning to catch a bus to the zoo where he works. The animals are his friends. Amos spends one-on-one time with his friends doing activities unique to each. He plays chess with the elephant, races with the turtle, sits quietly with the shy penguin, wipes the nose of the highly allergic rhinoceros and reads bedtime stories to the owl (who is afraid of the dark).

One day Amos awakes, not feeling well. He stays home from work. His animal friends are worried about him so go for a visit. Each one cares for Amos in his own way to help Amos feel better.

As with so many Caldecott award winners, the story is sweet and is largely a vehicle for the extraordinary artwork. This book has gentle pencil illustrations, each with a dash of color. The attention to detail is a large part of the charm: the pattern of the quilt, the socks on the penguin's feet, the way the owl wears spectacles... even the polka dots on the rhino's handkerchief.

A wonderful aspect of these books, for me, is that though they are intended for children, adults can appreciate them as a feast for the eyes and a sigh for the soul.

Haiku

2012-01-19T14:46:00.000-08:00

I've been reading a thoroughly engrossing book this week, Barefoot Sisters: Southbound. It's the true story of two sisters from Maine who hike the Appalachian Trail from north to south -- barefoot. There are great descriptions of the land and the people they meet along the trail. They make up songs and stories along the way. I highly recommend this book for people who want to go on a journey of inspiration ... especially if you're snowbound and ill as I've been this week!

Today, I read this haiku, written by jackrabbit, the younger sister. She was wistful about a fellow hiker she met early in her journey who was now far, far ahead of her on the trail:

Winter moon, tangled
branches -- now not even dreams
return him to me

That image struck me with poignancy.

I found it amusing that I should run into a haiku in the book. It's not a form of poetry one stumbles over every day. Yet just earlier in the day my daughter Jodie was waiting in the rain at the bus stop, wanting a ride home from school. She texted me a series of four haiku! Here's my favorite (not bad for a girl grumpy due to wet feet!)

Couple strolling forth
Beneath single umbrella.
Romance is alive.

Since I've been under the weather, texts from my daughter help keep my spirits up. My haiku reply to her was not nearly as inspired, but is nonetheless a window into my slightly stir-crazy situation:

I'm messing around
on my computer right now.
Nap in my future.

Black Magic Dancing Woman

2012-01-17T13:49:00.000-08:00

This is mesmerizing

I never would have considered Black Magic Woman with belly dancing, but it totally works!

Many thanks to my friend Jim for sharing it with me.

Shadow Puppetry

2011-12-06T11:35:00.000-08:00

For those of you who are as fascinated by this art as I am ...

Go, Cal, Go.

WIP: Single Rose 7

2011-11-13T20:24:00.000-08:00

Rosey continues to take form.

This weekend I was able to stitch for a few more hours. The frame around the rose is taking shape nicely.

This sure is a lovely piece to work on. Not at all frustrating. Puts me in a Zen state.

I think it's odd how some pieces I stitch flow so simply and beautifully, and others just about send me to the nut house. This is one of the nice charts.

Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.

-----

I had such a nice long weekend with my husband. Too bad he has to go back to work tomorrow. When he's home, there's a calming vibe in the house.

At My House; On My Mind

2011-11-12T16:09:00.000-08:00

Outside my window...
The neighbor kids
flinging golden leaves at each other
running wild in the crisp air

I am wondering...
why I don't read blogs more often
so full of creativity
and inspiration

I am thankful for...
For this quiet day, reading,
sitting across the table from my husband
clickity clicking on our laptops

From the kitchen...
the refrigerator fan is whirring
tortillas wait on the counter
to be eaten for dinner

I am wearing...
comfy clothes, my fleece vest,
my favorite blue shirt
even though it's not Thursday (Jodie)

I am creating...
ideas for a tree trimming party
over Thanksgiving weekend
extended family fun

I am going...
nowhere today
except in my imagination
I'm traveling the world

I am reading...
my favorite blogs
Steve Martin's autobiography
Dale's expressions

I am hoping...
my eldest is peaceful today
building friendships with Club Med
spending time with her husband

I am hearing...
the cooling fan on Dale's computer
the clickk of a mouse
the "ahhhhhh" after a swallow of cool water

Around the house...
quiet
a bit of a breeze
a blanket of leaves and pine needles

One of my favorite things...
my husband's smile
and the way he lights up
when I tickle his brain

A few plans for the rest of the week...
bring the paint in from the garage so it doesn't freeze
get a haircut
express gratitude

Movie Review: The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn

2011-11-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

It's not often I start out the day with a movie and a bowl of popcorn, but I made an exception today -- and I'm glad I did! The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn is worth watching.

This was truly a wonderful, heartwarming film. I don't recall how I heard about it (a preview from another movie? an excellent movie review? a mention from one of my movie-loving friends?). Somehow this title came to the top of my Netflix DVD list, and am I glad it did.

Here's the synopsis:

Small-town farmer Noah Dearborn (Sidney Poitier) lives an uncomplicated existence until shady developer Christian Nelson (George Newbern) tries to usurp his family's land. Nelson will do anything to take Noah's property, including hiring a shrink (Mary-Louise Parker) to have him declared insane. But Nelson doesn't anticipate Noah forming an unbreakable bond with the doctor, which proves stronger than anything the land baron can dish out.

Simple enough plot, yes. Big city company comes in to rural area to 'help' the people ramp up and earn more revenue. The potential building of a shopping center knocks the country folk off balance. Tension ensues.

It's the character development and performances that make this movie shine. But then, I'm usually drawn to movies and books that center on interesting characters that change and grow.

Sidney Poitier is exemplary, as always.
Mary-Louise Parker is beautiful and complex, in her usual style.
George Newbern has a fairly conventional two-dimensional role.
And Dianne Wiest is a well rounded and integral character, wonderfully cast.

This movie was released in 1999. I'm only a little over a decade in seeing it. A good showing for me!

WIP: Single Rose 5

2011-11-06T19:19:00.000-08:00

I was able to put in some more hours on Single Rose. I find it humorous that my stitching seems so haphazard. I ordinarily 'grow' my stitching from the bottom left corner on up to the top. But with this piece, I seem to be jumping around by color much more than usual.

Today I realized that I made an error that I don't think I'll bother correcting. Many of the half cross stitches are to be stitched with four strands of thread. I missed that fine point. But since it that is more of a texture change than a 'makes the picture look weird' change, I will probably leave it as is.

I must admit that it was worth it to grid my fabric this time. It's saved me from many counting errors.

I am enjoying stitching this piece quite a bit. If I'm lucky, I'll get my work around my home done early this week and allow myself the pleasure of several more hours of stitching.

I dare say this is going to need a good deal of blocking when the stitching is done and before the framing begins!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T19:40:00.000-07:00

Yeah, well, I don't know what I am either.

A punkinhead, I suppose.

Poet Love

2011-10-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

Every time I see this poet, I fall in love again.

Here Sarah Kay performs at The Nantucket Project speaking on the topic: "Rethink."

The images in her spoken poetry are vivid and evoke memories of my own past.

Gravy for Your Health

2011-10-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I got a hankering for some bacon, biscuits and gravy. I took out my favorite trusty cookbook: Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book (reproduction of the 1950 classic).

I found the gravy listed with other sauces. In a section called "Gravy-Wise" was this important bullet point:

Remember gravy contains some of the precious vitamins and minerals from the meat. Bread and gravy is a nutritious dish we can profitably enjoy.

Valuable information!!

Betty Crocker's
Picture Cookbook

The one I grew up with!

Reading Today

2011-10-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to get myself to sit down and read today. I love reading. I really don't know why it's been such a struggle for me to just sit down and enjoy it. I've been like this for months!

I'm actually reading this book on my Kindle ... but the software is in the process of updating on my device, so here I am, back on my laptop.

The book?

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical
by Shane Claiborne

A friend and I have a "bookclub for two" and this is a title he recommended. I find the book quite a challenge. First, because it's written from the perspective of a Christian. I am just not sure where I fall on the Christian scale any more. I'm a cultural Christian. That is my background, was my strong belief system for most of my life, was the framework in which I took action, and those are the holidays I celebrate. But this modern Christian world is not something I recognize as being very Christ-like. A predominance of American Christians seem to have gotten faith and belief mixed up with ideology and politics. I can't be a part of that. So I wonder how this Christian-based book can be translated for a more secular audience that still is drawn to the idea of social outreach and equity.

Beyond that, this book is challenging for its message. What would it be like if we as a people actually LIVED the teachings of Jesus? What if we dwelled with the poor and disenfranchised? What if we cared for the sick, dying and homeless personally? What if we shared all our meals? What if we loved our enemies every time? What if we lived the Beatitudes?

Challenging indeed. In many ways, not very practical while raising a family and trying to provide health insurance. But challenging, nonetheless, to do what we can in our ordinary lives to be as servant to one another.

Perhaps it's taking me a long time to read this book because I can only take so much of this kind of challenge at a time. Then I have to stop. Think. Pray. Mull. And dive in again.

100 Kiva Loans!

2011-10-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

Today marks the 100th time I've made a loan through Kiva. Today I loaned to Yana, a woman in the Ukraine who owns a needlework shop.

I absolutely love this organization that helps folks in the developed world give small loans to small business owners in the developing world. Kiva now even facilitates loans to the working poor in the United States.

Folks in need turn to Kiva when they cannot obtain loans from the usual banks and financial institutions.

Folks with means turn to Kiva to help others collectively in ways that they'd not be able to do individually. So even gals like me that have limited funds to give away can become micro-philanthropists! I give because giving feels good!

So, why Kiva? And how does it work?

Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.

You make a loan on Kiva. All Kiva loans are made possible by Field Partners, who vet, administer, and disburse each loan. The Field Partners are little community financial institutions located right in the region where the loan is needed.
Get Updated. Throughout the life of the loan, you will see progress updates from Kiva through your email, and if you come back to the site.
Get paid back. As the borrower repays the loan, the money becomes available in your account. This is called your Kiva Credit.
Repeat.You can now use your Kiva Credit to fund another loan, donate it to Kiva, or withdraw it to spend on something else.

I was able to make my very first Kiva loans because I was given a Kiva gift certificate for Christmas a couple years ago. Over the course of several months, the money I lent was paid back. I loaned again. I was given another gift certificate. I loaned some more. Gradually, I've added to my loan amount so that I am now able to make one loan per week without having to add any more money into the pot. I can loan and reloan and reloan.

For now, I get to help the world economy grow $25 at a time. But should my own circumstances change, I can always withdraw the Kiva Credit as it is repaid to my account and use it for my own needs.

This is a world-class organization ... people helping people ... heart to heart.

Kiva. Loans that Change Lives.
Let it change yours!

WIP: Rosey

2011-10-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

The Single Rose is back on the workbench! And I'm back to stitching.

Here's what she looks like this morning.

Circumstances around the house should allow me to have lots of stitching time this week.

I hope to post several updates and, who knows, a finish by Friday?

No promises.
Except to myself:
"Margaret, I promise. You get to stitch and blog this week!"

Not Posting?

2011-09-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

LIFE has gotten in the way of blogging.

I'm an empty nester now ...

two daughters flew the coop this summer.

My husband and I get to be "just a couple"

for the first time in our lives.

We're going through a time of transition,

rearranging,

refocusing our energies.

But I'll be back. I promise.

I like blogging too much to stay away for very long.

Moose on the Loose

2011-09-09T13:10:00.000-07:00

For the last few weeks, a humongous and hungry moose has been wandering our neighborhood.

My next door neighbor, Mike, caught him on video and shared with me. I captured these two photos from Mike's video.

He's peeking over our neighbor's 5 foot tall fence. Mike said that when he was done eating, he just hopped the fence like it was no big deal.

What a rack! Incredible, huh?!!!

A Corner of Beauty & Hope

2011-07-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

Today was one of the BEST days my daughter Jodie and I ever spent together! And it was no one big event that made it grand. It was moment after moment of small tasks that we muddled through side-by-side, laughing and talking and noodling things out.

From a two mile walk to plucking eyebrows. From a breakfast of vanilla protein shakes infused with fresh hand-picked raspberries to a lunch of fish sticks and turkey burgers at Carl's Jr. to a dinner at home of fresh honeydew melon and bread bowls filled with chili and cheese. From taping a window frame to prepare it for painting to purchasing clothing online. From researching wheel barrow prices to getting an astounding, on-the-spot 40% discount on the purchase of a $150 sewing table.

If there is one highlight of the day, it was building our first flower garden together.

You see, our home is currently one of the homeliest on the block. Our grass is dead, the front yard full of moss. We're in the process of revamping the yard, but it's been a slow, slow process.

At the moment, you can see painted lines where we intend to install curbing and sprinklers.

There are 15 holes in the yard where pine trees used to stand, the stumps ground out just yesterday.

The roof and rain gutters are covered in pine needles that need to be swept away with the yellow jacket nests.

But as of this evening, there is one spot of calm and color that you see as you approach our front door.

Jodie and I tilled the soil, pulled out as many tulip, hyacinth, crocus and grape hyacinth bulbs as we could find. (We're sure there are still many hiding that will surprise us next spring). We headed over to Lowes to check out those wheel barrows, but drove away with a car full of purple flowers and bark mulch. Then still side-by-side, we built a garden, including some ivy that I'd been babying in my kitchen window all winter.

Now as we approach our front door, we have a spot of color and hope for what the rest of the yard might finally become. Our garden toad is contemplating the drastic change. I think he's smiling.

I know we are!

Poof!

2011-07-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

These puffs of color caught my eye on my daily walk. The blue reminds me of buttons, the pink reminds me of bows.

Buttons n Bows

So vibrant in the morning sun.

At the DMV

2011-07-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

In Idaho, when a teen turns 18 years old, they make a trip to the DMV to turn in their first driver's license and get a new one that shows they are an adult. That's what Jodie and I did this morning. It wasn't even a horribly long wait. Besides, Jodie and I always find ways to amuse each other when we're stuck in a line.

Today, we had fun watching folks with their frozen smiles while waiting for the official to take their driver's license photo and making up stories about the folks in the waiting room.

There was the old guy who was sitting there nervously, wondering if he would even have a driver's license reissued.
There was the middle-aged British woman who just became a US citizen and was getting her first American license.
There was the Hispanic family whose son was having his license renewed for the first time, mother and sister nervously waiting.
There was the hefty impatient woman who hoisted herself up and waddled to the door, muttering and scowling. But then, she's one of those folks who didn't believe her father when he told her, "If you keep putting your face in a frown, it'll freeze that way." Because it did! Goodness, she was unpleasant.
And then, there were these three friends ...

Waiting on Line at the DMV

Seriously, folks. Do any of us need to be exposed to this in a public building?

Post Graduate

2011-07-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite photo from Jodie's high school graduation last month:

Shadows of Graduations Past

After the ceremony, the graduates processed to one area of the school to hug and say goodbye while the parents, relatives and friends meandered out a different door to wait for their student to find them. The sun was setting as we stood along the west wall of the school talking, waiting, laughing, crying.

Duh ..!

2011-07-13T20:36:00.000-07:00

My daughters and I had lunch at Panda Express.

This was tucked into my fortune cookie:

Strange.

I doubted an admirer could think any other way!

The Cross is Borne

2011-07-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

In March 2009, our family took an exploratory trip to Bellingham, WA to see if we might like to land there when Dale retires. After a good look around, we decided it's not quite right for us. We did like the countryside, though. As the sun was setting one evening, we passed this crumbling barn. I loved the pattern the light made as the sun broke through the window.

The Old Rugged Cross

Sand in the Feathers

2011-07-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

On that same warm evening in June 2009, the seagulls stopped to rest, preen and people-watch here on the edge of the North Idaho College campus where Lake Coeur d'Alene spills into the Spokane River.

Posin' and Preenin'

NIC Beach

2011-07-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

Just as the sun started to set on a warm day in June 2009, I took a break on the beach at North Idaho College. This is the spot where Lake Coeur d'Alene spills into the Spokane River. It's a favorite gathering place for both humans and geese.

Goose at Riverbank

Splash o' Color

2011-07-04T20:20:00.000-07:00

Last summer, the family reunion was held at the home of Dale's Uncle Bob. Beautiful country setting. Aunt Sally has quite a green thumb. I just loved this burst of color.

Aunt Sally's Flowers

A Dad Story

2011-06-30T08:02:00.000-07:00

The Heart of My Father
for Dad on his 90^th birthday

Over and again

Tone Codispoti, age 77

you asked your cardiologist

for a pig heart.
You were only half kidding.

At 77 years old
it was a habit to read
articles of cutting edge

procedures
in Diabetes Forecast
and watch the evening news
when Peter Jennings

and Dr. Tim Johnson
introduced stories
of medical breakthroughs.

It turns out we humans
are brothers to pigs
where our hearts are concerned.
Already common,
leaky human valves are replaced
with pig parts.
God knows, your valve leaked profusely,
backing up into your chest.
With hope and wonder
you told stories of experiments
where entire human hearts were
being replaced with those
of our piggy friends.

Your heart had seen too much.
Too much sorrow at the loss
of both sister and father
when you were fourteen.

Too much ache and wonder on Tinian
when war brought the atomic bomb
onto the tarmac
and you sneaked aboard a plane
to get a peek.

So much pride

as each of your eleven children were born.
Then rent for the two babies
who didn’t survive.
How could your heart take it,
carrying your bloody blue son away
wrapped in a sheet,
leaving your wife grieving in bed,
alone after the miscarriage?

Your heart swelled
in pride, watching
the first of your offspring
accept his USC bachelor’s degree.
Then be ripped
as that same man lay stiff,
a gurney bearing the weight
of a body thrown from a Jeep,
smashed by a drunk driver.
Anguish bled from your lips
in the cry,
“My son! My son!”

This same heart grew healthier
driving alone
from southern California to Moscow, Idaho.
You quit smoking
cold turkey
on that journey to a fresh chapter in your life.

Your heart floated with laughter
as you raised, in turn,
each infant grandchild high
over your head,
then slowly lowered
them close to your grin,
only to raise and lower and grin again.
It guffawed
as your eighth granddaughter
sat in your lap,
slapping your bald head
with palms and kisses

in a way your own brood
never dared touch you.
Your pulse echoed
your chortle
as grandchild #16 chirped,
“Grandpa, I have a question…”

The vision of building a new business
swelled your heart
with possibility.
Years later, that business sold,
attempting a transition into retirement,
that faulty valve gushed
as “My Emily,” succumbed
to a failed kidney.

Further trauma arrived at Halloween.
The first of your heart attacks
sent you to a Spokane emergency room for a day.
I stayed by your side, massaging Lubriderm
into your cracked and calloused feet,
speaking heart-to-heart
of the pain you inflicted
in my childhood. We offered
each other apology, forgiveness
and redemption.

Three months later it flooded over the coffin
of your eldest son
as you stood alone in grief
sighing, “Oh, Pablo.”

My brother fought a long battle with cancer.
Hard as it was to see him
lying silent, face shrunken and sallow,
torso swollen with the deadly mass,
dressed in Dodger blue,
you accepted the end of his pain.

You never did get that pig heart.
The doc said
your body couldn’t take it.
Your days of experimenting with life
were over.

A week after your boy’s funeral,
your heart gave out completely.
You landed in the same hospital
where three floors away,
five of your children entered the world.

Now it was our turn to visit

to pace
to watch
to wait
to hope
to fear
to speed to when the call came:
Emergency Bypass Surgery.

You never quite awakened
from that anesthetic,
though you did hiccup for hours,
your fingers working to squeeze mine
as I sat vigil.

After you died,
I peeked under your gown
to see staples in your chest,
so insensitive to your desire
for a renewed heart
ready to reconcile with my siblings.
I placed my hand on your sternum
in silent prayer,
then kissed your cooling forehead
in farewell,
my own heart doubled
over, punched in the gut.

Lemon and Lilac

2011-06-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

A year ago today, I visited Falls Park to see the annual torrent that happens during spring runoff. Not only were the falls beautiful, but the roses at the park entrance were in full bloom.

Watercolor Rose

Phlowers and Fotos and Digital Distortion

2011-06-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

I installed a new quick-n-dirty photo editing program today ... then started playing.

In the Spotlight

I can have some simple fun with this!

The Approach

2011-06-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

Clouds Over Hawaii

In September 2009, I flew to Hawaii to help my sister through a difficult time. This is what I saw from the air as I approached my destination.
[ click photo for a larger view ]

Country Club AM II

2011-06-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

That same October morning in 2008, I captured this shot:

Aura on the Green

Country Club AM

2011-06-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

I have a new goal: Thursday as Photo Day

I got a new digital SLR camera that I want to learn to use. Plus, I have a bunch of old photos that need some massaging so that I can share them with others. So I plan to use Thursdays to do a bit of learning and editing.

October Morning

Today I worked with some photos I took in October, 2008

Making Time

2011-06-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

Learned the hard way.

Love you, Dale!

Pause a While

2011-06-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just have to slow down

and look at what you really want.

Let the waves of time wash over you.

~ Maureen Reynolds, Cooking My Life

Wave Wash

In Sept '09, my sister's long-time companion died. I went to Hawaii to help her through that horrible week as she buried him. It was my first and only trip to Hawaii. We went to a beach where she and her guy used to hang out. I took this photo there as she stared into the waves.
[ click on photo for larger image ]

Through the Gloom

2011-06-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

There's a bright side to even the darkest clouds.

Perspective

It's simply a matter of finding a new perspective.

Out of Sight; On my Mind

2011-06-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

Last February, all these little hidy holes were exposed.

At the River's Edge

Now, due to the spring runoff, the river is flowing high. This tangle of root and rock is completely submerged.

[ click on the photo for a closer look! ]

Sunday Morning: Vignettes at the Falls

2011-06-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

I marvel, sitting on the rocks overlooking the power of Post Falls crashing through the wide-open floodgates and into the narrow canyon of the Spokane River. The wind hurls the branches of new growth at my elbow, then calms again. A parade of locals have made this pilgrimage to witness the annual phenomenon of Spring Runoff. Weathermen say Lake Coeur d’Alene, upriver, is only six inches from flood stage.

Post Falls - Spring Runoff 2011

A small child, wrapped in his mom’s protection, cries. There’s fear in his voice at the power unleashed before him. He sits on her hip, clinging to the fabric at her shoulder.

A middle aged woman wraps her left arm around her aging mother’s waist, steadying her against the impending vertigo.

Tourists read the plaques, learn a smidgeon of our history, then point at the power station and gears, explaining the mechanics to the kids. They take photos of each other with the green torrent at their backs, and then mosey on to the next landmark.

Families, fresh from church, gawk. The starched dress grows limp, the child-size tie now askew, the woman’s heels, far too high and narrow, slip between the planks on the wooden boardwalk. They huddle together at the railing, awash in God’s wonder, then shield their eyes as clouds uncover the mid-day sun.

The mist billows from the tumbling onslaught. A northern breeze pushes it against the south canyon wall. Moss and lichen cling to the slick rock, six shades of green.

Downriver

All that mars this landscape are the young folk squinting into their cell phone screens, voices billowing to push past the falls’ roar. A tall skinny man with droopy worn jeans drifts by, acrid cigarette smoke wafting into the late Spring breeze.

A small coiffed cockapoo cowers against the fence on the far side of the boardwalk, her leash a barrier to passersby as her owner gapes in awe, leaning on the railing that overlooks the drop-off.

A 50-something grandfather turns and gazes at me, his back to the railing, unconsciously toying with his granddaughter’s Barbie. His eyes ask, “What are you up to?” I smile, eyes and pen returning to my notebook.

A child climbs the rock next to me and exclaims to his mom, “It make me thirsty!” Then he jumps off the rock and skitters down the boardwalk to get a closer look and feel the spray on his face. He opens his mouth wide and sticks his tongue out, trying to taste the river the way he tried to taste snowflakes just two months ago.

A young mother pushes a stroller up the small incline, concurrently attempting to corral her four-year-old son. She is more terrified of the water’s rush than he, but is putting up a brave front so he can experience this spectacle first-hand.

I marvel. An inordinate number of pants with striped side seams stroll past me. One is accompanied by the soft rhythm of an aluminum cane. Another swathed around the hips with white polka dots splattered on black ribbing. That’s a lot of look!

Feel the Power

Small birds circle and dance overhead, some in pairs. Their wings beat ferociously through the air currents the falls generate, then spread wide to soar over the calm river above the floodgates.

A 20-something girl climbs the ramp with her young husband. Her abdomen is swollen with child beneath the broad horizontal stripes that circle her waist. It won’t be long, I suspect, until her floodgates open, bringing forth her first-born. A whisper of a smile creeps across my face as I watch her waddle down the path to the duck pond.

East of California

2011-06-02T20:07:00.000-07:00

Shrouded

Book Review: When You Reach Me

2011-05-30T21:20:00.000-07:00

A short review today ...

I looked forward to reading this book, as I collect Newbery Award winners. One of my daughters gave this to me as a gift, knowing my love for children's literature.

I was ... dissappointed.

It's very likely I would have enjoyed it more if I had recently read Madeleine L'Engle’s classic A Wrinkle in Time. But it's been eons since I read that classic, so I missed a lot of the references in this book.

My two main objections?

I suppose I just got too creeped out by the notes Miranda was receiving ... notes from the future. This, of course, is likely what lots of kids like about the book ... the creepiness that comes with imagining time travel. To me, it was like having a stranger invade my space and steal from me. I'm super-sensitive to that scenario.

I also thought that the characters could have been drawn more distinctly. I was left with an image in my mind of only two of the minor characters, none of the main characters. That's pretty unusual for me.

I do recommend going over to Amazon.com and reading their Exclusive Q&A with the author, Rebecca Stead. Perhaps I would have enjoyed the book more, if I'd taken that step.

But I think it's a shame that I couldn't just enjoy this book on its own merits, picking it up blind and delving between the covers.

On a five star rating, I give it three stars.

WIP: Single Rose 3

2011-05-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

I had a nice block of time to stitch today, so worked on my Single Rose some more. The bottom 2/5 of this piece is just about done. For comparison, to the right is what the last update looked like:

And here's my latest progress:

I was hoping to get all the backstitch done in this section. I have just one more branch in the bottom left corner to finish outlining.

I've been enjoying the stitching on this piece quite a bit. I haven't used a blended needle very often, and this piece has a number of blended colors. Such nice subtlety!

Through the Rain

2011-05-27T22:49:00.000-07:00

Road to California

This photo was taken last March when Jodie and I were on a road trip during her Spring Break.

Words Have Power

2011-05-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Nuance matters.
Choose wisely.
It's not all just semantics.

Irony

2011-05-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

Bus Stop

At Our Doorstep

2011-05-21T20:05:00.000-07:00

The tulips and grape hyacinth have finally arrived at our front door.

At Our Doorstep

The lilacs can't be far behind!

Sunday Secrets: May 15, 2011

2011-05-15T18:27:00.000-07:00

It sucks that he picked alcohol over me and his daughters.

It ended up killing him.

We are thriving.

I didn't have the nerve back then

But I told him over 30 years later.

I still like him and keep in touch.

We're like siblings now - only better.

Sunday Secrets: May 08, 2011

2011-05-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

When Julie was an infant,

she saved my life as my marriage fell apart.

A sweet baby on my lap gave me hope

when hope seemed lost.

My older daughters assure me of this over and over.

They're worth it.

Amen.

My mom taught me how to be a good mom.

Tomorrow would have been her 90th birthday.
Happy Birthday, Mom!

WIP: Single Rose 3

2011-05-11T20:05:00.000-07:00

I've made a fair bit of progress!

This piece is a joy to stitch -- so far!

WIP: Single Rose 2

2011-05-07T22:31:00.000-07:00

OK, so this isn't the most impressive post in town.

But I did get a chance to stitch for a few hours again today. Too bad it doesn't look like I got much accomplished. But as I was stitching along, I could tell that this was the type of design where I could get lost in the stitch count much too easily. So I pulled out some blue sewing thread, and stitched a grid.

The stitched lines on my fabric now match the dark grid lines on the chart, thus making it much easier to keep track of where I'm supposed to place my stitches. This, in turn, keeps the frustration level down and keeps those darn frogs at bay.

One thing a stitcher really hates is rippit, rippit, rippit!!!

WIP: Single Rose 1

2011-05-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

I started my next cross-stitch project. This time, I'm stitching something for myself! It's called "Single Rose" and is a Dimensions Gold Collection petite kit. This is how it will look when finished.

I found this kit last year when I was on a trip to Denver to visit my daughter. I had the luxury of stopping at a little shop called Country Crafts in Greeley, CO and spent hours there, pawing through every rack and every basket and every flat surface.

Much of the background on this chart is stitched using a half cross stitch. I've begun in the bottom left corner.

The colors in this lovely piece go swimmingly with the decor in my living/dining room. So when it's stitched and framed, it will be displayed on a wall in one of those two rooms.

Happy Dance: Easter

2011-05-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

After several weeks of not stitching, yesterday I got around to finishing up this quilt square for my charity group. This Easter bunny square is for a quilt that will incorporate holidays from throughout the year.

The chubby bunny is a web freebie that I found on a French blog: Bienvenue chez Echevette
http://echevette.over-blog.com/article-3911091.html
#16 - Joyeuses Pâques

The little basket in the original chart didn't quite work for this square, so I found another Easter basket chart that I hoped would work. Unfortunately, that basket was about twice as big as I needed. So using that chart as inspiration, I created my own little Easter basket design to stitch at the bunny's feet.

I sure love this little guy's attitude! He makes me smile each time I see him.

A Little Extra Love

2011-05-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

Let's hope we can teach the next generation more about love and kindness and diplomacy and cooperation and forgiveness than we do about retribution and retaliation and evil and hatred and revenge.

It's a harsh world with bitter realities. It's also a world where those who hurt are helped by those who are able and willing to give.

Let's teach our children balance.
If we err in balance, let's error on the side of love.

Dry Run

2011-05-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

My daughter Julie got hired at Silverwood theme park for the summer. Yesterday was the park's first day of the season, a dry run for the employees. Friends and family were invited into the park so that new employees could have a chance to get some on-the-job training before the public at large is invited in.

We had a charming time. It's always nice to spend time at Silverwood. The western theme town includes an old-time mercantile, a saloon with live musical acts, a theater that plays black & white flickers from the early 20th century, a candy store, a general store, a live theater that boasts a magic show, the Sugar Shack with freshly-made confections to satisfy your sweet tooth, an opportunity to dress in western gear and 'have your picture took,' and more.

Garfield the cat and his sidekick Odie can be found wondering main street. Then there is the whole midway and amusement park area with wild roller coasters and calmer rides for the more faint at heart. As the weather warms, the vast Boulder Beach water park will open.

A 'must' ride for old timers and bitty kids is this classic narrow gauge train ride through the wilds of Idaho. You get to see a herd of bison, cross the tremulous trestle, and then find yourself in a ghost town where hustlers board the train to rob you at gunpoint. The local marshal saves the day, of course, then serenades you until you're safe at the depot once again.

Engine No. 7

We took it slow, wandered through the town square, and were headed to the amusement park when the sky opened up with rain and hail. I've never seen a theme park clear out quite so quickly!

The the season has just begun. We will return. It's good to be transported to another time for a day.

Revenge of Mr. McGregor

2011-04-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

On Easter Sunday afternoon,

Julie and I went for a walk in the neighborhood.

We saw this horrific site through a car window.

Bunny BeGone

Could be Flopsy

Could be Mopsy

Could even be Dropsy

Definitely not Cottontail

Have a Heart

2011-04-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

On Valentine's Day,

Julie and I headed down to the Spokane River.

The water line was low,

a bit of pebbled beach was exposed

at the foot of the rock slope

where stone and roots are usually covered.

Heart of Stone

We had fun

creating works of art

and heart.

Simon's Cat Wishes You

2011-04-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

A Happy Easter!

Jo & Mom

2011-04-23T12:43:00.000-07:00

Jodie & I took a walk

at the Coeur d'Alene Resort.

A good day.

On the Boardwalk

from the archives: 04-17-2009

Jodie ... from days gone by

2011-04-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

While jostling with the photos on my computer, I came across this oldie but goodie of Jodie when she was in 8th grade. She'd won a makeover and photo shoot from a local modeling outfit. The photos they took of her were ... unimpressive. So she asked me to take some photos of her after school that day, while she was still dolled up. I'd forgotten about this one! Likey!

Glamour-puss

Gratitude

2011-04-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

I am Grateful ...

For being the wife

Who says it's leftovers tonight,

Because I am home,

Not working the late shift,

And we had more than enough to eat last night.

For my husband

Who is fell asleep early,

Because he worked hard all day,

Has a good job,

And is home with me.

For my teenager

Who is complaining about being stretched too thin,

Because it means she is a superb student, has a job,

And spends time with a great group of friends.

For my young adult

Who landed back at home

After completing grad school,

Because it means she had a soft place to fall

And trusts us to boost her to the next level.

For my daughter

Who struggles to just feel normal,

Because she hasn't given up

And is still alive.

For my job as family Trustee,

Because despite the frustrations,

It means my daughters, nieces and nephews

Had a chance to go to college.

For the taxes we pay,

Because it means

We are doing our part

To help the common good.

For the mess to clean after a party,

Because it means I was able

To give my daughter a memorable prom night.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug,

Because it means

I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work,

Because it means

I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs raking,

Windows that need cleaning,

And doors that need painting,

Because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining

I hear about the government,

Because it means

We have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot

I find at the far end of the parking lot,

Because it means I am capable of walking,

I have a gym membership,

And I have been blessed with transportation.

For our huge heating bill,

Because it means

I was warm this winter.

For the baby who won't stop crying

At the next table in the restaurant,

For I can hear

And don't have to cook.

For the pile of laundry and mending,

Because it means

I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles

At the end of the day,

Because it means I am

Capable of working hard.

For the doctor bills,

Because it means I'm one of a minority

Who gets preventative care

And has health insurance.

For waking at dawn,

Because it means I am alive

And my husband is stirring beside me.

Sunday Secrets ... 2011

2011-04-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. I find it to be an insightful sociological experiment.

I haven't posted any secrets for quite some time, so these twelve secrets are a conglomeration of various post cards that caught my attention from the last several weeks. No comments from me. I'll let the secrets speak for themselves as they spoke to me.

Clothes Horse

2011-04-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

North Idaho has some pretty happenin' fashion goin' on.

Not only do trees wear hats

They also like other fashion accessories!

Trees Wear Belts

Golden

2011-04-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

The evening Jodie and I drove into San Francisco, it was extremely foggy and dripping rain. There was a good deal of traffic -- at least more than I was comfortable with. In the pea soup and grainy light, we crossed the Bay.

The Golden Gate

A Walk in the Park

2011-04-09T21:19:00.000-07:00

My daughter Julie and I walked down to the Spokane River yesterday. It was a truly gorgeous Spring afternoon -- the first when we were able to go for a walk without a sweater! The air was crisp, the sun warm on our faces, the sky an extreme blue, the clouds passed in puffy waves.

The Spokane River runs high and green right now. The snow pack in the surrounding mountains is melting, and the valley is filling with fresh water. Julie and I strolled and chatted, communing with each other and nature.

Spokane River Rises

My friend Maureen wrote on her blog recently ...
"The day I took this photo, ... it became the reminder to me that when I am mindful of what I am doing, no matter how mundane, I can be grateful for what is ...right at this moment."

A large part of what I love about photography is the way it forces me into the present moment. While looking through my shutter, there is nothing more obvious than the here and now. I'm so glad that Julie and I stopped on the shore, grabbed our cameras, and became entwined with our gorgeous surroundings.

On this Fine Spring Morning

2011-04-07T17:48:00.000-07:00

We woke up to this ...

Snow on the Buds

Poem: Prayer for Our Daughters

2011-04-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

I was listening to
The Writer's Almanac
podcast and heard this poem.

Just had to share!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ ~ ~ * ~ *

Prayer for Our Daughters
by Mark Jarman

May they never be lonely at parties
Or wait for mail from people they haven't written
Or still in middle age ask God for favors
Or forbid their children things they were never forbidden.

May hatred be like a habit they never developed
And can't see the point of, like gambling or heavy drinking.
If they forget themselves, may it be in music
Or the kind of prayer that makes a garden of thinking.

May they enter the coming century
Like swans under a bridge into enchantment
And take with them enough of this century
To assure their grandchildren it really happened.

May they find a place to love, without nostalgia
For some place else that they can never go back to.
And may they find themselves, as we have found them,
Complete at each stage of their lives, each part they add to.

May they be themselves, long after we've stopped watching.
May they return from every kind of suffering
(Except the last, which doesn't bear repeating)
And be themselves again, both blessed and blessing.

"Prayer for Our Daughters"
by Mark Jarman

from Bone Fires: New and Selected Poems.

On a Damp Spring Morning

2011-04-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Julie and I took a walk in the park,

by the river, through the woods.

It was my first time since the snow melted.

The Forest Floor Awakens

Jodie and Mom's Great Spring Break Adventure

2011-03-26T21:13:00.000-07:00

Day One:
We landed in Bend, Oregon. Photo to come (it's on the 'other' camera).

Day Two:
Through the clouds, rain, hail, over mountains, through the redwood forest, and down a winding mountain road

to the ocean.

Jodie did most of the driving the last two days. It's a first for her to drive long distances on a road trip. I think the girl loves the feel of the road as much as the ocean wind on her face. She's a wonderful traveling companion!

Day Three:
Tomorrow we hope to take a walk through the Redwoods, visit an aquarium, drive down Pacific Coast Highway, and cross the Golden Gate Bridge.

But ... we'll see where Fate takes us!

Bloom of the Bulbs

2011-03-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

The first of our spring bulbs bloomed this morning!

First 2011 Crocus

I guess Spring really is here.

WIP: Easter Bunny 1

2011-03-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

The next quilt square I'm stitching for the Holiday quilt is a funny little Easter Bunny.

I love this guy's attitude ... and his chubby belly.
He's lookin' good in sox, don't you think?

Spring!

2011-03-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

No, the hydrangea's aren't abloom yet ... this photo was taken in May 2009.

I'm sure looking forward to the coming flowers! I posted this photo just to help me get in the Spring mood.

Happy Dance: Valentine

2011-03-20T15:24:00.000-07:00

Well, this quilt square made for a nice quick stitch! This is now ready to send to my charity group for the Holiday quilt.

Next? I've picked out an Easter bunny. I might even start stitching it tonight ... if I first finish reading my book.

Happy Sunday, friends!

WIP: Valentine 1

2011-03-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

Keeping with the theme of holidays throughout the year, the next quilt square I'm stitching for charity is a valentine.

This design is from a freebie chart I had in my stash. It's called Heart's Desire by Honey Bee Creations. I'm using DMC colors of my own choosing instead of using the specialty threads called for in the design. I also decided to add a grid to the largest heart just to make it a little more interesting.

There's a good chance I'll need to add a border to this design just to fill up the design area of the quilt square a little more. I guess I'll figure that out when I complete the main portion of the design.

Happy Dance: Groundhog Day

2011-03-18T16:59:00.000-07:00

had a chance to stitch for a few hours while watching recorded TV shows and was able to finish this quilt square for charity:

We're asked to stitch our initials and state on each square. Because the this square's design, it was a challenge to figure out where to put mine. So I chose to stitch my name and state in a floss color just a shade darker than the background, and placed them vertically on the square. That way they don't detract from the design itself. I like that solution!

Next to stitch? I think maybe a Valentine or St. Patrick's Day square. Time to go pet my stash and see what charts I have on hand.

Atheists Don't Have No Songs

2011-03-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

Two my three atheist buddies, this song's for you!
Jim and Allen ... thanks for pointing The Way.

Love Steve Martin!

WIP: Groundhog's Day 2

2011-03-16T19:31:00.000-07:00

I didn't stitch at all while on vacation, and have barely stitched in this last week. Since there's a little progress, I figured I might as well share the latest update on my happy little groundhog.

Angels Drive SUVs

2011-03-11T20:14:00.000-08:00

Who knew? I found out the hard way.

It all started with this photo ...

Driving Through Clouds

Some say a picture is worth a thousand words. But I know exactly how much this photo is worth:

2.5 hours

38 miles
a quarter tank of gas

$100

a promise to "pay it forward"

and some new friendships

But let's rewind a bit. I've not written on my blog because I spent the last week in Las Vegas. Three days driving down. Three nights in the Vegas area visiting my daughter and son-in-law. Two wonderful stretches of time catching up with a dear high school friend who I've not seen in a dozen years. (He stayed here!)

Vegas. Yeah.

Not good for Margaret.

Not my kind of town.

I loved the time with my loved ones. That was the highlight. But the lights, the buzz, the action, the vibe of the city was not good for me. Did a number on my brain. It was a bit like putting an epileptic in a room with a strobe light. Not good. Not good. I could feel the mania rising; my ability to sleep dissipated.

Even giving two therapeutic Swedish massages and lots of down time talking and sharing meals couldn't quite bring me back to myself. I had to get out of Dodge. Run away home. So though it took three days to drive from my home in north Idaho to south Nevada, I high-tailed it back north in just two long days of driving. Very little sleep and the equivalent of 8 cups of coffee in 14 hours pretty much put me over the top.

I was on the very last leg of my journey, ready to cross the Montana/Idaho border through the Bitterroot Mountains and Lookout Pass. The lovely view in this photo was before me. The tall pines. The clouds resting in treetops. The mist and rain. The piles of snow and ice. The lowering sun.

Just! So! Pretty!

Just -- HOME!

So I zipped into the rest area three miles shy of my state's border to snap a photo and take care of business before cresting the summit and coasting into Post Falls, just an hour away.

And that's when it happened. Distracted by beauty, out of my usual "rest stop routine" due to taking a photo, I locked my keys in my car.

Oh. Dear.

There was one 18-wheeler in the parking lot, the driver sleeping for the night.

There was one SUV with a mom, a teen, two little girls and two frisky dogs.

There was me.

There was no spare key - on the car or at home.

There was no cell phone reception (mountains, trees, rain, remember?)

I woke the trucker up but he said Citizen's Band didn't work there, either. He pulled the curtain down between me and his bare chest and crawled back into his sleeper.

The women in the SUV came to my rescue. They were on a different cell carrier than I, so were getting some sporadic connection. They took pity. I took a chance. I climbed into their vehicle, went up over the mountain with them, and down into Idaho's Silver Valley.

I learned that my rescuers were driving home from southern California. They live about an hour north of me in a town even smaller than mine on the edge of a very pretty small lake. The driver told me a story of how she got into a pickle on the first day of their trip, and strangers helped her out. By helping me, she was just paying it forward. She wouldn't take any payment for her help, asking only that I pay if forward to someone else in need.

My Idaho Angel dropped me off at the Wallace Inn in Wallace, Idaho. There, I told my sad story to Wanda, the feisty female owner with a huge heart. She is a long-time resident of the small mining town. I was physically shaking (from the tension and all that caffeine) and my cell phone was about out of battery power. So Wanda took me under her wing, used her cell phone to call AAA, my husband, and the local locksmith. Then she pointed me to a comfortable couch and the coffee pot to wait while she popped out for a quick smoke.

Within the hour, I'd talked with the gal from AAA who told me that since my car was in Montana, she could only call a locksmith in Montana ... the closest town about 100 miles away! I declined that offer.

Then I talked on the phone with young Zach, the locksmith's apprentice. Once bundling his dad into his pickup, he'd be by to pick me up, drive me back over the border, and unlock my car. It would cost extra, though, because it was after hours, it was in another state, and it would be x amount per mile. Well, at least I'd get home, right?

And then my hero drove up to the door in his silver convertible. Dale was glad to see I was OK and that things were in the works to get me back on the road. He zipped off long enough to find an ATM so he could pay Zach. He and Zach (and Zach's dad) all arrived back at the Inn at about the same time. We discussed where the car was and how to get to it since there are very few exits on this divided highway.

By the time we got back on the road, the rain had turned to snow. Visibility was miserable. Zach told us what exit to look for that would loop around to get to the rest stop. Of course, Dale and I missed it! So down the Montana mountain we went for another four miles. We found a turn-around. And back up the mountain we went in the slushy weather.

Zach, of course, hadn't missed the first exit, hometown boy that he is. He was waiting for us by my car, with a troubled look on his face. He started, "Well, I'm afraid I won't be able to open your car door."

Dale and I look at each other, jaws dropped.

Then Zach broke into a great big Idaho grin. "... because I already got it done! That was the fastest I ever opened a lock! Took me about a minute and a half!"

Then he did the most gracious thing. He gave us a huge discount on the bill! He said that it wasn't any skin off his nose to come out in the weather, that his boss would understand, and that he really enjoyed working with us because, despite the hour and the weather and the trouble, Dale and I were very pleasant and in good spirits.

I looked at him with a twinkle in my eye and blurted, "Gosh, you're a good guy! Would you like to date my daughter?"

After all, what parent wouldn't want their daughter to date such a nice, polite, generous young man. Zach sort of shifted on his feet and said, "I already have a girlfriend." Poor guy. He really didn't know what to make of this nervous, laughing, nutty middle-aged woman and her offer!

Before we left, we thanked Zach's dad for his patience and keeping Zach company on the road. The apple didn't fall far from the tree; Zach's dad was as polite as his boy.

Those last miles over the pass felt pretty treacherous driving through the snow and slush and rain (it got warmer and wetter the further we traveled down the mountain). I clunked in and out of pot holes and held tight to the right side of the road, white-knuckling it in the pitch black night, allowing drivers much braver than I to zip past me on the winding road.

We drove through the dark, over the bridges and eventually onto the wider lighted highways leading down into the Coeur d'Alene Lake basin. Driving through Coeur d'Alene and on into Post Falls, I kept my eyes glued on Dale's tail lights, trying to push back the cathartic tears that I could no longer restrain.

To the West

2011-03-03T22:08:00.000-08:00

Sunset: Caldwell Idaho

... at 75 miles an hour on I-84

I love road trips!

WIP: Groundhog's Day 1

2011-02-26T20:32:00.000-08:00

One of the gals I know from a cross-stitch e-mail group encouraged me to start posting photos of my current work in progress on my blog. She said that it's fun to watch the progress, and has the side benefit of inspiring her to stitch more.

So Ellie, this one's for you!
:)

I started stitching Groundhog's Day today. As you might be able to see, I already made one counting error. The little guy is supposed to have two front teeth, not one. I intend to fix that the cheater's way ... stitching over the dark threads with the lighter one rather than removing the errant stitches. I'll do the "real" fix if the cheater one doesn't work (it requires more time).

My husband spent a couple hours trying to get my computer to talk to my scanner. He managed a plausible work-around for me after researching why the original way I scanned doesn't work any more. Now that scanning has returned to a simple process, maybe I can get in the habit of posting these works in progress (WIP) more often.

But I know me.
No. Promises.

He’s Just Not That Into Anyone

2011-02-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

I don't usually blog about articles like this, but I read this yesterday and it's been on my mind ever since. Let me back up a little.

Yesterday I received the following Tweet from PostSecret:

Davy Rothbart from FOUND has a fascinating piece in "New York Magazine" how online porn effected him & his relationship.

Well, I read FOUND Magazine's "Find of the Day" as religiously as I read PostSecret. So I followed the link to the article at New York magazine about how porn is affecting the libido of the American male.

It's not for everyone. But interesting. Fascinating.

I don't even know where to file this one. Under "Inspiration"? "Soap Box"? "Just for Fun"? I think I'll create a new category called "Huh".

I Need to Get Me Some of This

2011-02-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Dance: Feed My Lambs

2011-02-24T13:13:00.000-08:00

My second 2011 quilt square for charity stitched up much faster than the first! I started and it February 16th and finished it February 23. Making one day a week a "computer free" day has its benefits! (Of course, it also helps that I messed up my back, so have to sit quietly for hours).

Precious Moments: Feed My Lambs

I chose to work with the theme: Precious Moments - Any Square. I don't have a lot of Precious Moments charts, but I do have a book called Furr-Ever Friends. Like all Precious Moments charts, this is published by Designs by Gloria and Pat.

This chart just tickled my fancy, so I stitched it. By the time I was done, though, I realized that though I used to be enamored by the muted colors of the PM line, I'm not much drawn to them any more. These days I seem to like deeper colors and jewel tones.

Our charity group just opened a new theme this week:
Any Holiday Themed Squares. Finished squares will be sent to Love Quilts.

Oooo! This is right up my alley! I hope to stitch more than one for this theme, starting with Groundhog's Day. I have an older freebie by Bent Creek and I've been looking for an excuse to stitch it. When it's done, it should look something like this (though I'll be stitching on white aida):

Cute, huh?!!

Happy Dance: Baby Bunny

2011-02-14T21:16:00.000-08:00

I've completed my first cross-stitched piece for 2011. This is a quilt square that will be donated to my charity group, Cross Stitching for Charity.

The design is from Farm Babies by Stoney Creek Collection.

I haven't been stitching much these days, so this little square took me almost a full month to complete: Jan 17 - Feb 13. I'm hoping to stitch one quilt square per month for charity this year. Time will tell if I can keep that up.

I must say, taking time to sit and stitch last weekend had a very positive effect on my soul. I'm considering having a second goal: to leave my computer off on Sundays so that I can concentrate on more offline activities at least one day each week.

Wish me luck on that one!

In Early February

2011-02-09T16:43:00.000-08:00

Outside my window...
traces of snow at the curb
far too many pine needles

I am thinking...
way too much
especially in the wee small hours of the morning

I am thankful for...
Julie's safe solo trip across the country
Jodie's last months at home before college

From the kitchen...
the aroma of pasta e fagioli
a fresh batch stewing in the pot

I am wearing...
my uniform:
blue sweats, black T, lined hoodie

I am creating...
a vision of life with Dale
once kids are gone and we get to be "a couple"

I am going...
to learn to use my new camera!

(one of these days)

I am reading...
The Wednesday Sisters
by Meg Waite Clayton
just finished, in fact
(can't really recommend it)

I am hoping...
to put two and two together
and finally come up with four

I am hearing...
the sound of my fruit gum
popping

Around the house...
bits
of Valentine love

One of my favorite things...
slipping into clean sheets
after a hot shower and powdered body

A few plans for the rest of the week...
help Julie get settled back into life at home
then do my job to help her on to her career

A Model City

2011-01-28T14:39:00.000-08:00

Last weekend my husband, daughter and I visited the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, WA. We saw four temporary exhibits:

Women's Votes, Women's Voices
This large exhibit traces how Washington women won the right to vote through the life of our country. Then asked the question, "Should the voting age in Washington be dropped to age 17." Children are encouraged to write their ideas on postcards. Some of the answers posted were thoughtful and provocative, others were funny. The best? "The voting age should be lowered because people come of age at 17 in the wizarding world." Harry Potter readers chuckled.

Timothy c. Ely: Line of Sight
This artist creates extraordinary handmade books that have elements of both science and art. Completely fascinating.

Dress Code
My favorite of the exhibits, this gave examples of clothing women in the Spokane area wore over the last 250 years.

American Indian Collection
My favorite parts of this exhibit were the many examples of native American bead work.

The Bridge at Spokane Falls

We also took some time in the permanent exhibit about Spokane's regional history where I captured this image of Spokane Falls. It's from a scale model of Spokane ... what it looked like before the Great Spokane Fire that destroyed most of the downtown are in 1889.

It's a bit of a thrill to walk over the modern bridge that spans that same canyon, especially when the water flow is high due to the spring runoff from the surrounding mountains.

Walking in the Dark

2011-01-26T19:39:00.000-08:00

I forgot how much I love walking in the dark and the cold-but-not-too-cold.

Street lamps don't light everything, so there is sport in avoiding sidewalk cracks and patches of thick ice. I love the crunch of gravel under my feet. I feel uneasy pebbles beneath my soles. I can hear them crack in my wake, even though I walk with earbuds, listening to podcasts of The News from Lake Wobegone and The Writer's Almanac.

I don't so much mind the dogs who yelp at me from their side of the fence. I just bark back, and enjoy being a tenor voice in a chorus once again. It's been too long since the last time I sang that tune.

I delight in being the lone pedestrian. In my neighborhood, there's little chance of getting jumped. No pickpockets, thieves or gangs are around. No stray teenagers loiter in crisp 39° weather.

I like how my ears turn cold and red while the top of my head is steamy, body heat rising into my black cap. I like how my own exertion fuels my body temperature. I revel in scooting from shadow to shadow, a shadow myself in suede shoes and dark jeans. I like swallowing frigid air while I gradually warm up in an insulated hoodie and Isotoner gloves. I abandoned my winter scarf and wool coat when the Chinooks and rainstorms ran through the Valley.

What annoys me are those cars, their headlights too stark, steering home from work on wet streets, the glow of a cell phone plastered to the driver's ear. I relinquish my right-of-way, hurrying them through our mutual intersections with an impatient stance and a wave of my hand.

I like the dark. I really like the dark. I like the frosty air in my lungs. I like stomping out my inner churnings where few bother to see or hear me. I like watching the vapors rise in front of my eyes as I curse my frustrations to the deaf heavens.

And when the first mile has passed and the rhythm of my gate has soothed my furrows, I like slowing my pace at the curb and watching my neighbors through uncurtained windows, greeting one another, sharing a meal, nestling before blue-screened TVs.

At the Side of the Road

2011-01-25T13:00:00.000-08:00

I learned this on Sesame Street:
keep Christmas with you

all through the year

Kicked to the Curb

Udderly Charming

2011-01-14T15:56:00.000-08:00

My daughter Jodie and I had some girl time today. We went to our favorite sandwich shop for a meatball sandwich on a toasted sourdough roll. Then we stopped at our favorite re-sale store. My Favorite Things is sort of an upscale thrift / consignment shop. In one jewelry case, we found this gem of a brooch:

Pearl teats!

This artist has quite the quirky sense of humor!

Sunday Secrets ... end of 2010

2011-01-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. I find it to be an insightful sociological experiment.

I didn't manage to post any secrets for the last three weeks! This is a catch-up post. Here are my favorites, in no particular order.

I love this. Thirteen years ago,

my mom died between Christmas and New Year's Day.

The following year I gave her purple coat

to "Coats for Kids."

Wish I'd thought of doing this.

After my parents died, I gave myself the same gift.

I have the same reaction.

My adopted grandmother died this year.

I love you, Catherine!

I still send Christmas cards to some of my former beaus.

I've been happily married nearly 20 years.

I truly hope they are happy in their relationships, too.

(A couple of their wives ARE jealous ...

I don't get it ... they won!)

On back: This pen is from the psych ward as well.

I hope this patient is healthy enough to know

to take the meds again should the need arise.

The help helps!

On back: happy new year

This was the first Christmas in a long time

that I didn't cry over those that won't forgive me.

I'm living the charmed life I dreamed.

I hope they are, too.

This secret brought a tear to my eye.

And this card made me laugh out loud.

It's the New Year

2011-01-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

And we still have inches and inches of
THIS pretty stuff around!

Yeah. We're quite cold and flaky in Idaho!

[ photo actually taken in February 2009 ]

Keep Christmas With You

2010-12-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

A gentle reminder ...

Safe holidays, all!

Halleluia!

2010-12-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

I know this has traveled around the internet a lot this season, but it's well worth seeing more than once!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Back to Beading

2010-12-16T19:10:00.000-08:00

As I continue to heal from this virus, I keep myself occupied with quiet, creative tasks. Today, after months (years?) away from this craft, I returned to beading.

Each year I make a handmade Christmas ornament for each member of my family. Most years I cross-stitch. Other years I embroider or sew or craft or bead something special. Our tree is now laden with hand made ornaments!

Today, I made a dozen of these beaded star ornaments . They look like snowflakes to me. (Click the photo to the left for a larger image.)

The ornaments come from a kit made exclusively for Mary Maxim by Mac Enterprises. All beads, wires and threads were included in the kit. The directions are clear and simple. All you need are some basic beading tools, a workspace where the beads won't roll away from you, and a bit of time. Christmas music playing the the background helps!

What a pleasant way to spend a few hours!

What a pleasure to give a little gift of creativity each year.

While I've Been Sick

2010-12-15T16:25:00.000-08:00

I've been tending to my knitting. With this horrible virus that lasts about two weeks, there's not a lot else I can do in between coughing, trying to regulate my body's temperature, and sleeping.

So Jodie asked if I'd make her a new scarf. She used the last one I made her so often that it ended up unraveling. She picked out the yarns ... so pretty. Two shades of blue in a very soft 4-ply yarn -- Caron's Simply Soft. It took less than one skein of each color.

It's simple, straight knitting. 15 stitches wide using #15 knitting needles. I worked the two yarns together, handling them as a single strand. I just knit and knit until it felt long enough ... someplace around 5 feet long. Then I added 5" of fringe to each end.

Pretty. Soft. Warm.

Time for more snow so she can take it out on the town!

It's Time!

2010-12-13T17:17:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming ...

It's time to set up the tree
Unwrap the handmade ornaments
Get some jolly Ho Ho Ho time

Sunday Secrets: December 12, 2010

2010-12-12T17:14:00.000-08:00

My husband isn't quite that playful,
but his wife and daughters just might be.

There's nothing that teaches us
quite like the lessons learned
when walking a mile in someone else's shoes.

I'm pretty sure the example
of my sense of humor
helps my kids cope with stressful situations
all the time.

On Back: I hope you see this and wonder if it was for you.
I miss you

Sometimes a third party
is all that's left
as a way to communicate.

In Memoriam

2010-12-10T10:34:00.001-08:00

Except for my 110 film camera where I could shoot some snapshots in my high school years, I became excited about photography far too late in the game to appreciate what film can do.

With digital photography now the norm, the last roll of Kodachrome has been manufactured, shot, and developed.

I know some of my more experienced photographer friends are feeling the loss. It's the end of an era.

As a final tribute, I offer Paul Simon's song:

Many thanks to Jim and Lucy for pointing me in this direction.

Thanksgiving Hijinx

2010-12-08T08:34:00.000-08:00

Objects in the frame are closer than they appear.

Sunday Secrets: December 05, 2010

2010-12-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

I'd think that shopping lists and receipts
would make for good fodder for a novelist.

The name Frank gave this postcard:
checkout.www.foundmagazine.com

I've read Found for a couple years now. It's fun.
Makes for a quirky gift, too.

They even have a "Dirty Found" magazine for those that enjoy a bit of extra steam in their lives.

Today's secret also reminds me of this book:
To-Do List: From Buying Milk to Finding a Soul Mate, What Our Lists Reveal About Us.
Browsing through this book is an interesting way to while away an hour.

There are FIVE PostSecret books that also make for great gifts. I've got all five, and just love them. My favorite just might be The Secret Lives of Men and Women

Camouflage

2010-12-04T17:35:00.000-08:00

I got a new sweater

Jodie says I can now hide among the cushions
on her Dad's sofa.

Happy Dance: Crocheted Scarf

2010-12-03T19:25:00.001-08:00

My daughter Jodie is taking part in a holiday gift exchange at work. The gift needs to be $10 or less and good for either a male or female. She decided to crochet a scarf. But then she thought she'd crochet several scarves, the others for her close friends.

She's a busy girl, what with high school, college classes, work, a boyfriend and other obligations with friends and school organizations. Finding time to crochet all these scarves before Christmas was going to be tricky.

I was in between projects at the time, so offered to make the scarf she needed for the gift exchange. It only took a few days of stitching while watching movies.

Jodie bought several skeins of Red Heart worsted weight yarn at Wal-Mart, picked the colors for her fellow employee, handed me a size K crochet hook, and gave me the parameters. We made it 15 stitches wide, all double crochet.

There are 8 rows of the navy blue, followed by 6 rows of the teal. I repeated that pattern until the scarf felt long enough -- which ended up being 8 blocks of navy and 7 blocks of teal. I finished it off with about 3 inches of fringe using both yarns.

Fast. Fun. Androgynous. Pretty. (Or is that handsome?)

Next? Some Christmas gifts of my own to make!

Happy Dance: Hearts n Flowers

2010-11-30T17:11:00.001-08:00

After too long an absence, I am back to stitching some squares for charity quilts. I've signed up through CrossStitching for Charity for three so far, all due next spring.

I got an early start on the "Hearts and Flowers" theme. I finished this square today.

This was an older freebie chart no longer available at web address written on my pattern. If any of my readers recognize the pattern and can point me to a new web address, I'll gladly update this blog post, giving credit where credit is due.

The squares we stitch in our online Yahoo! group are stitched by 235 women (and a few good men) from all over the USA ... and internationally. We've been working as a team for over five years now. We stitch squares by theme, then send them to one central location. The squares are constructed into quilts. Most go to children with life-threatening illnesses, but we also have given quilts to teens and adults with long-term degenerative illnesses and to seniors in need.

An Invitation:
If you love to stitch and have run out of people to receive your gifts of love, please do consider joining us! The deadlines are reasonable. A single square can stitch up quickly -- I did this heart in about two weeks, working sporadically.

You can stitch as many or as few squares as you like, depending on your own schedule. And it feels so good to see photos of the finished quilts as they are presented to people who are hurting.

We are bearers of a spark of light and joy.

.

For my next crafty endeavor, I'm crocheting a scarf that Jodie will give as a holiday gift. Then I plan to make some beaded ornaments for my family for Christmas.

After those projects are completed, I'll be back to cross-stitch. The next charity square in line is a bunny from the Stoney Creek Farm Babies collection.

Studio Window

I'm an Artist-ish

Ol' Amos McGee

Haiku

Black Magic Dancing Woman

Shadow Puppetry

WIP: Single Rose 7

At My House; On My Mind

Movie Review: The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn

WIP: Single Rose 5

Happy Halloween!

Poet Love

Gravy for Your Health

Reading Today

100 Kiva Loans!

WIP: Rosey

Not Posting?

Moose on the Loose

A Corner of Beauty & Hope

Poof!

At the DMV

Post Graduate

Duh ..!

The Cross is Borne

Sand in the Feathers

NIC Beach

Splash o' Color

A Dad Story

Lemon and Lilac

Phlowers and Fotos and Digital Distortion

The Approach

Country Club AM II

Country Club AM

Making Time

Pause a While

Through the Gloom

Out of Sight; On my Mind

Sunday Morning: Vignettes at the Falls

East of California

Book Review: When You Reach Me

WIP: Single Rose 3

Through the Rain

Words Have Power

Irony

At Our Doorstep

Sunday Secrets: May 15, 2011

Sunday Secrets: May 08, 2011

WIP: Single Rose 3

WIP: Single Rose 2

WIP: Single Rose 1

Happy Dance: Easter

A Little Extra Love

Dry Run

Revenge of Mr. McGregor

Have a Heart

Simon's Cat Wishes You

Jo & Mom

Jodie ... from days gone by

Gratitude

Sunday Secrets ... 2011

Clothes Horse

Golden

A Walk in the Park

On this Fine Spring Morning

Poem: Prayer for Our Daughters

Just had to share!

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On a Damp Spring Morning

Jodie and Mom's Great Spring Break Adventure

Bloom of the Bulbs

WIP: Easter Bunny 1

Spring!

Happy Dance: Valentine

WIP: Valentine 1

Happy Dance: Groundhog Day

Atheists Don't Have No Songs

WIP: Groundhog's Day 2

Angels Drive SUVs

To the West

WIP: Groundhog's Day 1

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