Back on Blogger

effective in 2020, I will be back on Blogger!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

I am back... Part Two

I have to pat myself on the back, I passed a milestone tonight. I wanted to submit pieces to the 2012 NM Showcase at 516 Arts in Albuquerque. The deadline for submission is midnight Dec. 1, and I FINISHED my application and paid my fees tonight!!! I wanted to have a new piece but that was pushing it!
And I survived my first day back at work after my eye surgery. I will be out again next week for the second eye, so I decided that I could really work this week. 92 days...
I don't think that I have posted this pic, so I will post it here. This is "Sayonara" and it is one of my entries.

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Life of Riley??

 I walked into my bedroom this afternoon and found my kittehs absorbing the sunshine!
They always know where the warmest spot in the house is... 
and they usually do not settle this close to each other!
My newest acquisition, a retablo by a new friend Nova DeNise, just fits in perfectly with this vignette!

Back to work tomorrow for the rest of the week, then I am off again for my second eye surgery.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Fond Thanksgiving Memories

After a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner, my friend Pamela asked us about our holiday traditions and memories. I did not share this memory, as I did not know most of the people at the dinner, but I have two memories, one of them fondly remembered and one that was very traumatic.

My first memory was the first time I had to cook a thanksgiving dinner. My first husband and I were stationed in Giessen Germany in 1971, and had a group of Larry's army buddies who were desperate for a traditional, non-mess hall Thanksgiving dinner. Since I was one of the few women in the group, fondly known as the Fronhausen commune (remember it was the 70's and Fronhausen was the small German town where we lived). I come from a long line of fantastic cooks, and had always deferred to my Grandmother, Mother and Sister to create the lovingly traditional dinner. I asked for favorite recipes from the three of them), purchased the turkey and trimmings. I don't know if you are famaliar with european kitchens, but the stoves are VERY small and I had a HUGE turkey to feed the Fronhausen commune. The Goddess was looking over my shoulder, and all came out well.
The sense of friendship, camaraderie and thankfulness will be something that I will always remember. I have lost touch with all of the Fronhausen Commune, and miss them all.
My next memory was not as pleasant, but will always remain with me too.
My beloved father died October 9, 1993. We were all totally devastated, as it was a horrible accidental death. We gathered, as usual, at my Mother's house for Thanksgiving that year. My father was the patriarch, sat at the head of the table, and always used the electric knife to carve the turkey. We all did OK that first Thansgiving without him, but when we went to sit down at the table, I almost blurted out "Aren't we going to wait for Daddy?" That would have completely ruined the dinner for everyone, and I was able to supress that comment. There was a hole in my heart for that dinner, and I am sure that everyone else had their own feelings. Each year became easier, but I still miss him. Especially the electric knife whirring through the tender, tasty Thanksgiving. Someone else has assumed the turkey carving duties and someone sits at the head of the table, but no one will ever replace my Daddy Lonnie Joseph Adkisson.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Am I a Grinchess?

This is a very well thought out post about the holiday frenzy that has just begun: The Manageable Life. 
She really codified most of my thoughts, so I will not repeat all of the post here, but here is how I manage the frenzy.
Since my son lives 600 miles away with my grandchildren I no longer put up a christmas tree, but I have a silk poinsettia, a festive holiday wreath for the front door and chili twinkle lights that I put up, and I do decorate my office with hanging glass ornament balls (looked for a picture but I just realized that I have never taken a picture of it...) hanging at various heights from my suspended ceiling.
I too also use Heifer International and my Unitarian Universalist outreach efforts for gifts (great nieces, nephews, and grandkids grumble) but I do try to instill giving from the heart as a part of the holidays. So that gets me out of the malls, and if I do buy gifts I buy from fellow artists or make my own (the whole family LOVES getting my snugglies, available on my etsy site).
I posted about the Black Friday insanity, and the rampant commercialism has bothered me for years. That is not what the holiday season should be about and in my little way I am rebelling against the $$$ centered focus of the 21st Century American Christmas. 
All in all, I am certainly not a grinch, but I do avoid the mall madness at all possible costs. It helps me keep my sanity!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Shopping Madness

Black Friday, Cyber Monday. Shopping Madness, in all it's forms seem, to me, to be indicative of the financial mess we have found ourselves in. Greed and immediate satisfaction are symptoms of what is wrong with the United States today. No one wants to sacrifice today for future benefit, they all want it now and Lots of whatever it is!

I see two bright spots on the horizon: Small Business Saturday asking you to support local small businesses over the congolmerates; and Buy Handmade in all of it's permutaiotns.

In reaction to the Black Friday hoopla, a local gallery/studio space 5G/Factory on 5th {where Rainbow Artists have art hanging } is sponsoring a "Bizarre Bazaar" as an alternative to Black Friday and in support of Buy Handmade. I have been getting ready for this show for a while, and I am sharing some of the stuff that I will have for sale on Black Friday
 Refrigerator Magnets, small size, most of them unfinished
Large Size

 Flannel Snugglie, twin sized



Triple Good Luck wall hanging
Girlfriend Glue


 Wine Coasters

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Things I am Thankful for...

On this day of Thanksgiving, I have so many things to be thankful for:
I am content
I have a job
I have great friends and family
My cats love me!
I am able to support myself
I am able to make art

All in all, not a bad list to be thankful for!

Another one

Be Thankful today for our freedom

Cataract curtains

I am a sun lover, but since I have had cataract surgery, I have to watch my exposure to the sun. In my studio, I have a great garden window that is only screened by plants, and the sun coming in the afternoon is very bright. So I dug into my stash and came up with two pieces of fabric to shade the window.
The first picture shows the sun shining through the fabric, and I love that look. The plants behind, the sun shining in and the gorgeous deep colors. I may look at making some permanent curtains to put up on the window, but probably not, as I really love the sun shining in!
the second picture shows the curtains taken with the flash, so the sunshine is not quite as bright.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

I am back...

In more ways than one!
I was speaking to friends the other day and I realized that I am BACK! I have been absent due to many factors for the last two years, and did not even realize it.
I had my first cataract surgery on Monday and was pampered by friends who took excellent care of me! W took me to East Arizona Sunday evening, where I spent the night with P. She took me to my surgery the next morning, took me to her house and cooked lunch and dinner for me! She also took me to my followup appointment on Tuesday and S. picked me up and took me home! It is very hard for me to ask for help, but they were all fantastic.
I am resting at home, and my only Thanksgiving chore is to make green bean casserole!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Jefferson Davis Pie

I was coordinating our annual Thanksgiving Feast at work and committed to bring a Jefferson Davis pie. This is an old family recipe, and is not hard to prepare.
As I was mixing the ingredients, I was touched by the idea that a few simple ingredients (Sugar, eggs, spices and a pie crust) can make something so delicious. But, it is not something you can multitask while cooking it up. After mixing the ingredients, it requires slow, low heat and almost constant stirring. No matter what I tried I had to focus on the saucepan, and saw the ingredients gel and combine into an almost finished product. It really was almost mesmerizing, and very calming. Plus at the end you have an excellent pie to eat.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Fascinating Ted Talk

This is fascinating... you need to watch it twice (and make it full screen) to get the full impact! Lots of subtle stuff.

Friday, November 11, 2011

The last digital date for a long time!

11-11-11 must be very significant, and I have a most important date in 111 days, so stay tuned for updates! Someone just posted that in 2012 we will have 12-12-12!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Really s&^%%$ day at work

I had such a crappy day at work, and so I took my break, printed out 111  numbers on pieces of paper (tomorrow on 11/11/11 it will be 111 days until I leave) cut them out and made a stack of papers on my desk. I can look at the stack and know that the end is in sight. I can also toss one a day in the trash (three on Monday morning...)
Doing what I can to cope with a yucky situation!

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition


As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking
into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles ofcheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the giftof genuine
concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands.  Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people.  Who says a gift needs to fit in
a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut.  How about gift certificates
from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership?  It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some
health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed?  Small, American-owned
detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a
book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down
the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen?  Perhaps that grateful gift
receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or
driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates.  And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half-dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.  Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom?  Mom would LOVE the services of a
local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal.  Local crafts people spin
their own wool and knit them into scarves.  They make jewelry, and pottery
and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip.  And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at
your hometown theater.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese
lights for the house?  When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community.  If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that
China can build another glittering city.  Christmas is now about caring about
US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow
their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our
communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion
groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in
your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations,
and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other,
and isn't that what Christmas is about?

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Wyld Womyn quote

Wylde Women’s Wisdom
Imagine a place:  Women gathering in vast numbers to create cooperative webs of connection that replace the old and tired domination approach of conquer, control and coerce.  

Birute Regine, Iron Butterflies: Women Transforming Themselves and the World


See the rest of this post here

Saturday, November 05, 2011

This Woman is astounding and so inspirational (Yes another TED!)

Being alive at this time in history....

I got a newsletter from Jan Phillips, one of my mentors and a great and wise teacher. This paragraph reached out and grabbed me:
"The Dalai Lama once said that the next savior will be a sangha, a spiritual community of people committed to co-creating a culture based on equality and fairness. That community is us. And we are watching it occur right before our eyes. It is frightening to some, this unknown future. But it is the only way forward--right through the fear and dark and veils of mystery. I think we all had something to do with being born into this time of history. This is a time for prophets and mystics and cultural creatives and spiritual renegades to take their power public and be the God they want to see in the world. This is our time to radiate loving energy like never before and remember upon every waking that it is WE who are the light of the world. What an exciting time to be alive!"
You can read the whole newsletter here and can subscribe to her list.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Big 0 Birthday Bash!




Last Saturday our women's group got together to celebrate one of those big 0 birthdays, and had a lovely brunch with Mimosas. The food was delicious, as were the mimosas. We then settled in our circle for several hours of sharing, gifting and appreciating each other! We were gifted by the birthday womyn with lovely earrings, and I made everyone a bottle of "Girlfriend Glue". Girlfriend Glue is available on my Etsy site