Frida's New Frock!

Oh Joy! The United States Postal Service finally delivered Frida's package from Grandma!The first thing that Frida did, after ditching her little look-alike toy (far left) was to inspect the pacakge to be sure it was from Grandma. Yup! It's from Grandma, alright!

And what's this? A new frock AND a new toy!

First things first . . . gotta break in that new toy . . .

And then try on that pretty new dress! What a lucky little girl. Thanks, Grandma!!!

Troving With Macy Gray

A couple of days ago I went troving with Macy Gray. Yes, THE Macy Gray--the one with the really groovy voice and great lyrics. Okay, she wasn't actually with me in body, but she was with me in spirit and song. We were on a mission: The Orange Twine Mission. She sang; and I drove, stopped, got out, photographed twine evidence, picked it up, threw it into the back seat, got back behind the wheel, and continued on. I followed these steps for two full hours. And Macy, bless her heart, just kept on a singin' the whole time. What a trooper.

All of this time out on the highway gave me time for pondering, which is actually one of the things I do best, because I have so much experience. I've come up with a theory about not only the twine, but about all of the other trashy treasure that is so commonly seen in our landscape here. Here's my theory:

Our state, and especially this area up here in the north, is absolutely gorgeous. SUBLIME. Now, all of this beauty could cause a person to go crazy, and run amok*, and chaos would soon ensue. To PROTECT THE CITIZENS of New Mexico, the good citizens of New Mexico are only doing their part by throwing trash out of their windows as they cruise along the highway. This trash has the effect of diluting the sublime--thus bringing it down to tolerable levels.

Don't you just love hand painted signs? They Rock!

*From Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology: Amok is described as "A disorder characterized by sudden, wild outbursts of violent aggression or homicidal behavior in which an afflicted person may kill or injure others."

Okay, now. We can't have any of that, can we?

So, anyway, getting back to The Orange Twine Mission . . . Macy and I cruised the highway for two hours, and the trove of twine slowly and slowly grew. We even found a couple of other really cool things: a piece of corrugated metal with spray painted words on it; and a colorful, plasticy thing (I think it's a mouse pad, but I can't be sure) covered with blocks of color. Who needs shoes and jewelry when you can go out along the highway and find cool stuff like this? Huh? Huh???? Point made!

Northern New Mexico Rest Stop

I even got the added bonus of having guys in trucks honk, wave, and wolf whistle at me while I was out there photographing evidence. Twenty years ago I hated that (animals! morons!), but let me tell you--when you're nearing the big 5-0, it feels pretty darn good! You just gotta love the people here--doing their part for humanity by diluting the sublime; and men going out of their way to nurture the egos of middle-aged women. Life is Good. You couldn't PAY me to live anywhere else!

And, so, I came back home--back seat filled with bright orange treasure, ego inflated, and feeling good about my fellow citizens. I even have a really groovy idea for a large art piece--one involving those little tiny liquor bottles that you get on airplanes and hotel mini-bars. But I'll save that for another day.

662 Days Until George W. Bush Leaves Office!
663 Days Until the BIG PARTY!!!!
WOO-HOO!!!!

Stop! Thief!

Some of my pictures have disappeared. I looked at the Blogger "help" section--nothing there about images disappearing. Then found a Google group full of angry bloggers whose photos have evaporated from their blogs. Woe is me. I'm one of them.

So, I'm going to reupload (that sounds like a type of antidepressant, doesn't it? "Yeah, I'm taking those new 'reupload inhibitors', and I FEEL GREAT!).

If you missed the missing pictures than you've really missed something. Sincerely, Miss Robin (wanted to see how many times I could use the word, "miss," in one phrase).

P.S.: I'm not putting any photos in this post, because they might just go *poof*, and I don't think I can handle that right now, becasue my new reupload inhibitors haven't kicked in yet.

P.P.S: I emailed Blogger yesterday about the missing images, but have yet to hear back.

Catch ya later! I've got work to do!

664 Days Until George W. Bush Leaves Office!
665 Days Until the BIG PARTY!!!!
WOO-HOO!!!!

The Very Full Life of an Empty Nester

Ever wonder what the average, normal person does when they become an "empty nester"? Well, I don't know any of those people, but I can tell you how I'm dealing with it. Picture: deep depression . . . [fast forward] . . . swinging from the chandeliers . . . [fast forward some more] . . . and then we got Miss Frida, who is like a daughter to me. The 3rd daughter that I never had. You know: the one lacking opposable thumbs, and--thanks to modern medicine--won't ever be interested in dating. Well, one of the things I love most about having this little girl in my life is dressing her up.

And then she runs off to show Daddy how pretty she looks . . .
Wanna know what else us we do? Well, some of us, anyway? We scour the Earth for treasure. Why, just today on my way home, I spotted blobs of bright orange scattered throughout the land. Having recently stripped & unwound many yards of electrical wiring (to weave a basket from the copper wire within), I was JUST SURE that some electrical contractor's truck had accidentally dropped little piles of wire along the road--perhaps from some gaping hole somewhere in the back of the truck. And this electrician was either too rich & successful to fix that hole in his truck (wire for the needy!), or too focused on his driving to notice that his inventory was being scattered all over northern New Mexico. So I stopped, jumped out, and scooped up that precious plastic twine.

Okay now, the average, normal person (who also doesn't care about the environment) might just throw that plastic twine back where they found it. But since I'm not that person, and since I love our Earth, and because I see potential in even the lowliest form of twine, I shook the sand out of it and tossed it into the back seat. The truth is, this bright orange plastic twine is JUST THE THING I've been looking for. Alright, I probably would have been happier with piles and piles of electrician's wire--laden with copper--but I assure you that this twine is going to serve a greater and higher purpose (to be revealed at a later date).

Twine . . . . . . . . . . I . . . Need . . . More . . . Twine . . . . . . . . . . . . .

665 Days until George W. Bush Leaves Office!
666 Days until the BIG PARTY!!!!
WOO-HOO!!!!

Altering & Gardening

Well, I finally finished the pages that I started in the altered book, and even managed to start & finish a few more. I thought that I'd concentrate on trying some different techniques, hence the page numbers (for keeping track). I used stencils for the page numbers. All of the photos in the original book are black & white images. If you'd like to experiment with some of the same methods, I'll list them below each photo.1: watercolor & acrylic, with a coffee filter and stenciling.
2: watercolor over black & white printed image.

3: watercolor & acrylic, with stenciling.
4: watercolor over black & white printed image, acrylic dragged
over surface with a wooden skewer, and joss paper.

5 & 6: watercolor & acrylic (with stenciling on 6).*
Incidentally, I really love that Sun stencil, so you'll likely see a lot more of it in the future.

7: acrylic, painted around a black & white image, glue stick cap used to stamp the circles.
8: coffee filter over: acrylic paint, dot stickers, and cut out; and
glue stick cap used to stamp the circles.

I really like the coffee filter effect. It resembles velum, but with texture.

* The bubbling that you see on pages 5 and 6 is due to, I think, having painted the pages prior to gluing them together with Mod Podge. I started atering the pages, and then decided that they needed to be thicker than just one page, so I fused the pages together with Mod Podge. Each page is now 2 pages thick. Unfortunately, that bubbling occurred, but only on the pages that had paint on them prior to the fusing. Live and learn, right? That's why this is a book for experimenting different techniques :)

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that that was a full day's work; or very nearly. I also took some time out to finish reading the cards from Wide Open "creativity notebook and card set" (see earlier post) by Randi Feuerhelm-Watts. I'm telling ya--that's just about the coolest book/card set I've ever encountered.

So, today I decided that I needed to get outside. It's a gorgeous day for it, too! Sunny. Cool. Just the slightest breeze. Miss Frida and I worked out in the garden--turning over the soil, then raking everything smooth in preparation for this year's crop. I need to get some snow pea seeds and get them into the ground before it gets too warm. Then I can relax for a little while and figure out exactly which varieties of tomatoes and peppers I'll plant this year. Gonna need some of those little jewels (sweet 100s) for salad, but also some biggies for salsa. Yum! My mouth is watering in anticipation!

666 Days until George W. Bush Leaves Office!
667 Days until the BIG PARTY!!!

I'm Not a Doctor, But I Play One on TV

You know, unless you're a frog--or some other kind of swamp creature--rainy, foggy days almost dictate staying indoors. So, it was kismet that we'd signed up to take a CPR and First Aid class yesterday.

Dave and I got up at the crack of dawn. Actually, I got up before dawn cracked, and Dave slept in until a half hour before we had to leave. But I digress . . .

Eventually, we both rolled out of bed, got showered & dressed, caffeined-up, and out the door--still feeling kind of sleepy and looking bleary eyed (especially Dave, because we haven't quite nailed that whole pollen thing yet), and headed south (not in a bad way; we really did drive south, to Espanola . . . although sometimes heading south kind of feels like we're "going south," like when we have to make a trip to the dreaded Walmart store. But I digress again . . .)

So, it was particularly overcast yesterday. And rainy. And drizzley. And the clouds were just as tired as we were. I know this for a fact, because they were listlessly resting on top of Black Mesa, instead of hovering overhead. So it was that Dave and I headed south--in a good way--tying to be as quiet as one can be while driving a diesel, (which isn't as easy as it may sound--it's impossible to sneak up on someone when you're driving a diesel), so as not to wake the clouds.

And we arrived at the campus with time to spare.
Now, in case you're wondering, I'm posting this today, instead of yesterday, because SAVING LIVES is REALLY HARD WORK, and leaves a person feeling REALLY EXHAUSTED.

Alright. We didn't actually save any lives yesterday. But, let me tell you: LEARNING how to SAVE LIVES is REALLY HARD WORK and leaves a person feeling REALLY EXHAUSTED.

Don't believe me? Well, then, you should have been here yesterday after class. We'd made plans to have dinner with friends (Groucho Marx and
the Missus), and it was time to go. Dave was stretched out on the couch, eyes closed, very quiet.

"Dave, it's time to go."

Nothing. No response.

"Dave, we need to leave now."

Still no response.

"DAVE! LET'S GO!"

Omygod. Not only was he STILL not responding, he kind of looked like that guy to the lower left, except with a complete body & arms. Plus, he doesn't have that hinge like thing in his neck. And he was wearing clothes. And his hair isn't the same color as his skin. BUT STILL, I was beginning to feel alarmed, and I was FULLY PREPARED to administer two "rescue breaths," and then start CPR. If we'd had an AED (defribrillator), I would have gotten it out of it's case and turned it on so that it could start charging!

And then, suddenly, my training seriously kicked in! I stood over Dave, grabbed his shoulder--skaking him violently--and yelled REALLY LOUDLY, "Are you okay???", because that's what you're supposed to do when you come upon someone who is unconscious (or, in this case, someone who is fast asleep), before you begin to administer LIFE SAVING PROCEDURES.

And then he woke up.

So, that just illustrates my point about these CPR and First Aid classes. They can really wear a person out. But, it's most definitley worth all of the getting up early, heading south, and spending the day saving the lives of dummies (I'm not being mean--that's what they're called). Seriously. It takes a dedicated person--someone who is prepared to roll up their sleeves and take charge in an emergency situation--to spend a full day (and a Saturday, at that!), learning this stuff!


And I'm telling you this because, if we're ever in an emergency situation, or if you just happen to fall asleep because you're suffering from complete and total exhaustion, I have the skill and training (certification to arrive in the mail shortly), to either save your life, or wake you up.

Now, doesn't that make you feel a whole lot better?

667 Days until George W. Bush Leaves Office!
668 Days until the BIG PARTY!!!

Northern Exposure. Northern NM, That is . . .

Do you remember that TV series, Northern Exposure, that was popular back in the 1990s? I think it was set somewhere in Alaska, but it could have been some other place in the Pacific Northwest. Anyway, in Northern Exposure, the episodes revolved around a small town where everybody knew everybody, and because it was such a small town, any little incident that occurred was overly dramatized within the minds of the residents. If you've ever lived in a small town, you know first hand that this really happens. Having grown up in a small town, myself, I appreciate every aspect of of that particular lifestyle.

So you can imagine my delight when we moved here. This isn't even really a town. It's considered a village. We don't have a restaurant, or a gas station, though we DO have a Post Office (which also serves as a weaving shop for an, apparently, quite famous local weaver). We probably even have the proverbial "village idiot," though I've yet to decipher who that person is. Oh, and we also have a volunteer Fire Department. No, strike that. We used to have a volunteer Fire Department. The old building still stands--right across the street from our Post Office/Weaving Shop.

Now, I have to relay a story to you, but before I do I have to tell you about the person who relayed it to me--our good friend, Andres. He grew up in Santa Fe, moved away during his years in the military service, got married, and moved back to New Mexico; eventually landing here in our little village about 18 years ago. Picture a tall, Hispanic Groucho Marx. That's Andres. He even does the "eyebrow thing" sometimes when he's talking and feeling particularly animated. It's pretty cool.

So, anyway, as the story goes, once upon a time our little village had a volunteer Fire Department. Keep in mind that New Mexico is the 2nd poorest state in the nation, and our particular county (Rio Arriba) is one of the poorest in the state. Now, you can probably imagine that our Fire Department's official fire truck probably wasn't the newest one around. In actuality, it was quite old and to say that it worked, even intermittently, would be an exaggeration. So, whenever there was a fire, bells would ring and people would come running from all directions to the volunteer Fire Station. They'd roll up the door, run inside, get behind the official Fire Truck, and push start it.
Today it's raining. In fact, it's been raining and/or drizzling for the past few days. The clouds are hanging low, and there's a very slim chance that there will be any fires around here. I'm thankful. Because even though the New & Improved volunteer Fire Department has a functional fire truck, it's about a half hour's drive from here.
So, it's a perfect day for staying inside and doing something creative. I was inspired by Mary Ann's new journal pages, so I decided to get out a book that I picked up at the Los Alamos library recently, and begin altering it. Don't worry. I didn't check it out from the stacks. I bought it for about 25 cents from the book sale room. It's a book on "Flight," and is mostly photos, so it's perfect for altering. Once I get the pages "ready," I might just use it for a journal.

669 Days until George W. Bush Leaves Office!
670 Days until the BIG PARTY!!!

A Match Made in Whoville

It's allergy season. Specifically, it's "allergy to juniper" season, and easily half of the population around here is just plain miserable. Dave is one of them.

Today, Dave told me about how one of his teachers came to class wearing safety goggles. Apparently, they really do help to protect against all of the pollen in the air. We both agreed that this was a brilliant idea, and promptly drove over to Lowe's to get a pair. I waited outside in the Jeep, and Dave went in an purchased a nifty pair of goggles--the kind that protect against chemical spills and splatters. He wore them all the way home, and looked pretty spiffy in them, too--even after they fogged up. I really, REALLY wanted to get a photo of him, but he refused (can't imagine why!).

I got to thinking, and even mentioned to Dave, that swimming goggles would work nicely. And then I got to thinking, even further, that a snorkel--retrofitted with some kind of filter--would REALLY protect him against all of that nasty juniper pollen floating through the air. Well, we couldn't find either the swimming goggles or the snorkel, so he's stuck with the nifty chemical-proof safety goggles for the time being.

Now, I'm not unsympathetic, which is why I toiled so long to come up with The Pollen Plan. In fact, just a few years ago, during the height of pollen season (tree pollen) back in Virginia, I got a a sinus infection SO BAD that I looked like one of the Whos from Whoville. If you don't believe me, just ask Erica or Shannon. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure it was Erica who pointed out the stark resemblance. And I'm not talking about those cute little Whos from Dr. Seuss' book, either. I mean the really creepy looking ones from the Jim Carrey movie version.

Well, Dave--being the wonderful guy that he is--stuck with me through thick and thin, through normality and the Who stage. So it's only right that I help him through this very trying time, even though--after some thought--he nixed my idea about the swimming goggles and snorkel.

So, now it's on to Plan B. I just remembered that Shannon & Erica bought Dave a pair of those REALLY COOL Willy Wonka sunglasses! Now, if I can just figure out where they might be . . .

670 Days until George W. Bush Leaves Office!
671 Days until the BIG PARTY!!!

Baskets and Cards

Happy Spring!!!

Okay, I promised some photos from the recent Japanese basketmaking workshops, and here's one! First, let me say that I didn't make the small, round basket with the tall handle. I purchased that from Nancy, who picked it up on one of her many trips to Japan. Isn't it a gorgeous little basket?

The "snake basket" is filled with round, black stones, and is probably one of my favorite baskets thus far. The hexoganal weave was a little maddening, but worth all of the frustration. I love it! I envision making a monumental snake basket, possiblly filled with boulders. Not really sure how I could accomplish that, but it never hurts to dream. I think it would look totally cool in our new Zen rock garden (once I get around to finishing it--just too many irons in the fire right now). Even COOLER would be to weave a HUGE, GINORMOUS snake basket that a person could walk into! Great idea for a future outdoor room! :)

The third piece in the photo is a group of wrapped nuts. Again, it's a project that's a little tricky, because you have to keep one hand tightly gripping the grass, nuts, and completed weaves, while using the other hand to weave around/over/under/through the contraption. I just love the idea of wrapping things, though, so this is definitely something I'll persue. Once again, I'm thinking about wrapping up some rocks. It would be fun to wrap a group of rocks, and then leave them along a hiking trail for someone to find.

I've been working on cards for the 2007 Abiquiu Studio Tour, and I've already finished quite a few! These are all miniature (approx. 3" x 5") originals which I've created by cutting up paintings, and then detailing with markers. There's something really satisfying about putting old paintings into the paper cutter and turning them into small, abstract works. After enhancing each new "original" with a fine-tipped marker, I affix them to bright white card stock. It's kind of nice to have something small to work on--something that doesn't take a big time investment. I can do just one or two or three cards, and then do something else.

What I'm REALLY looking forward to doing right now is starting on my contribution for The Cradle Project. I already have my main element(s) picked out, but I'll leave that for another day...

671 Days until George W. Bush Leaves Office!
672 Days until the BIG PARTY!!!

Sylvia Plath and Frida's Frocky Dreams . . .

We have this goldfish, Sylvia Plath, and she's such a drama queen. Sylvia does this quite often--pretending to be dead. Don't worry. She's fine. She just does this for attention. Sometimes it works, but usually only on a visitor. One day, though, her act was quite convincing. So much so, that I very nearly flushed her down the loo. I'm telling you, that Sylvia should be nominated for an Academy Award. She'd get MY vote!


Miss Frida Magdalena is involved in one of her favorite past times: stretched out on her pillow and catching some rays. Actually, I'm pretty sure that she's also dreaming of that new frock that her Grandma promised to send. Every day, when I come back from the Post Office, she asks if there are any packages for her. Sadly, the answer is usually, "no."

Kim sent me the best link about the new Apple iRack. You've gotta check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-KWYYIY4jQ

672 Days until George W. Bush Leaves Office!
673 Days until the BIG PARTY!!!

You Are What You Eat

What a wonderful Spring Break this has been! Wonderful and busy!

First, I was fortunate to spend three full days over at the Rift Gallery, learning Japanese packaging and basket making techniques from Nancy Moore Bess. I purchased her book, Bamboo in Japan, and it's absolutely gorgeous. Real eye candy. If you get the opportunity to take one (or more!) of her workshops, go for it. I can't say that I got a *whole* lot of stuff made during the workshops, but I did make one really cool thing--a snake basket--which I filled with black rocks (courtesy of Rift). I'll post photos from the workshops in the near future.

Now, this next thing won't sound very exciting, but here goes: I also pounded out about 14-15 pages (single spaced) of notes for my research paper! If you want to know anything at all about OCD, I'm your woman!! I could probably even diagnose you at this point. One of the reference books that I checked out, Just Checking: Scenes from the Life of an Obsessive-Compulsive was so good that, after cracking it open to search for a few good quotes, I ended up reading it cover to cover; spending much of that time laughing out loud (and wondering if I was perhaps a little OCD, myself). The author is Emily Colas. Do yourself a favor: go to the nearest library and check out this book. It's a real page-turner!

More on the book front: I also received Wide Open: Inspiration & Techniques for Art Journaling on the Edge by Randi Feuerhelm-Watts. So cool! It's a very nice, slick little box with a book and cards inside--full of ideas and inspiration. I think I might just have to buy another boxed set and send it to Erica.

Getting down to the nitty gritty--meaning dirt and sand--I spent 2 1/2 days out in the front yard, trying to make it look less neglected. It's getting there, though it still has a long way to go. Miss Frida helped, of course. She's always the first one to lend a paw when there's work to be done.

Finally, in honor of my last day of Spring Break, I whipped out a small piece of Mail Art for an artist in Chicago. She's requesting "fish pictures on food labels." Well, it just so happens that I made a cherry pie recently, and still had the can in the recycling bin. By the way, I don't recommend "Great Value" brand "no sugar added cherry pie filling." To say it tasted yucky would be an understatement. We ended up tossing about 1/4 of the pie. Of course, that means that we ate 75% of it, but when you're craving cherry pie, you'll choke down even the worst.

And what good would it do to create a piece of Mail Art unless you're going to decorate the envelope, too?

673 Days until George W. Bush leaves office!
674 Days until the BIG PARTY!!!

Happy Birthday, Dad

Today is Dad's birthday, and if he were still alive, I'd call him up to wish him a happy day. But he's not, so I lit a candle for him, and I'll spend the day thinking about him as I celebrate his life in my own way.

A few years ago, for Christmas, Chris gave each of us the most wonderful gift: A photo of Dad (above), framed with his favorite poem, "Desiderata." It's such a wise and wonderful poem, and represents the epitome of Dad, and the way he treated others. In fact, this poem meant SO MUCH to him that, when I was in high school (many moons ago), he offered to double my allowance if I could memorize, and then recite it for him. I did.

I still remember Desiderata, and I try to live by its principles every day.

Thanks, Dad. I love you.

And I'm going to strive to be happy.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let not this blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams;
it is still a beautiful world.

Be careful. Strive to be happy.

--- Max Ehrmann, 1927

674 Days until George W. Bush leaves office!

675 Days until the BIG PARTY!!!