rain, insults, reading

Last day of March, and it is raining - lightly, softly - but raining... again.

Mary M. left a link in her comment yesterday about the Chaucer blog I discovered through Pages Turned. It is such a fun link that I'm going to post it again. Shakesperean Insults (thanks, Mary) is such an entertaining way to tell someone off! Choose one term from each of the three columns, and you have an insult that is certainly out of the ordinary. They can be mixed and matched as needed. Years ago, I attended a Folger's Institute workshop that provided this activity, and students truly loved it.

Coincidentally, Pages Turned also has a post about The Amalgamation Polka which Mary recommended.

This is a biscuit keeper or small cookied jar that I bought a couple of years ago because it is so beautiful. Look at the detail on the lid.


March reading is here.

I love Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales, but

in browsing through Pages Turned I discovered that Chaucer has a blog -- and the following is an excerpt:

Oh newfanglenesse! Y have learned the privitees of the manye abbreviaciouns ywritten on the internette. OMG: "oh mine ++DOMINUS++". ROFL: "rollinge on the floore laughinge". IRL: "in reale lyfe." WTF: "whatte the swyve?"
Beinge somethinge of an innovator myselfe, Y presente to yow, churles and gentils alle, the followynge abbreviaciouns. May they serven yow welle in your internette communicacioun:
GP: gentil person
WC: woole customes
XC: Exchequer
BATJG: biggere arsehole thanne john gowere
BSL!: by seinte loy!
OTPBRB: Offe to parliamente, be ryghte back
SNAPFU - BYXCA: supposedely nyce annuitie paymente fuckede uppe by the XC againe
KRBMA: Kynge Richarde II buggynge me againe
AOMSHJDOTBD: anothere of myne servauntes hath just dyede of the blacke death
EISBYMIWATCHDNSTHD: eftsoon I shall be ycleped mad if worke atte the customes house doth not settle the helle downe

So...if in the future, I use any of the above, you will be able to translate easily.

Ladybug, ladybug...stick around, you are both beautiful and beneficial to my garden. And isn't the texture of texture of the Lamb's Ears wonderful? Especially with the morning dew...

"Morning has broken...

like the first morning." How I loved Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens.

Today is one of those days that almost stuns you with its beauty. After yesterday morning's rain, the sun this morning is so cheerful.







I'm not working on anything right now. Yesterday, I did put some appliques on a favorite tee shirt that I managed to get bleach on. Some lessons are never learned: I should only use bleach when wearing something I've already ruined, instead I ruin something else!

There are so many projects in my head, but I can't seem to settle on one and begin work. Need to commit myself to one or two.

It's raining, it's pouring...

This is such a grey day, and one I actually appreciate because it makes me feel cozy in the house. Since much of yesterday was housecleaning and laundry, I feel like I can play without guilt today, but so far have just been lazing around and talking to Erin on the phone. Our Miss Mila is doing fine, and so is Erin except for pregnancy stomach.

These pictures help keep me motivated: a bowl I bought years ago and still love - see the crackling in the finish? Love that. And some cups I used to collect when they were reasonably priced. Bought them because they evoke a feeling in me of tea and sympathy, of comfort, of dream homes. I don't even use them because I prefer my mugs - heavier in the hand and hold more!


This is my favorite mug, front and back.

Doll face

I made this doll in 2001 to serve as my personal crone. In 2002, I began to let my hair grow from the short boy-cut ... perhaps subconsciously growing into the crone I'd created. I had just discovered Paperclay and was having fun trying to sculpt various item for collage - it is a wonderful air-dry clay, so much fun, so little trouble.



Last year, playing with fabric paints led to Catawumpus and a Paperclay "mask" face.

Girl with Kite is all fabric and made from scraps left over from making a purse.
These are the only 3 dolls left in my possession, I've not made a doll in the last year. After a "conversation" with Marion - Artmixter - and seeing her dolls here and here and her personal totem, I may want to play with another. I have a couple of heads I made last year that look like they should be on the ramparts of a castle as they are bodiless and stuck on bamboo skewers.

And wouldn't it be fun to make a theater or other scenery for them as Ullabenulla does at the Castle?

Time for yard work

The temperatures are rising again, and the more seasonable spring weather is much appreciated. I'm not yet in full garden mode, but then the prospect of all that work that was put off in the fall is a large deterent to gardening pleasure. Some has gotten done, but not nearly enough. The demise of the peach tree (nearly 20 years old) during the Rita wind and rain makes me sad and also completely changes that area of the garden which previously got only morning sun and will now have sun all day. The shade-loving plants will have to be moved. Well, lots of re-planning to do along with the clean up.





I had to dig up and divide my huge comfrey plant in order to make a path for the lawn mower. Fears that the transplants wouldn't make it were unfounded - all four are thriving, and another one is coming back in the original location - guess I didn't get it all. Isn't the determination of plants to survive despite some of the treatment they receive an astounding green affirmation...
The grape vines survived last summer's vicious drought and are cheerfully climbing the pergola.



Laddie and I have continued to work on the WWII experiences, and discovering all kinds of connections online has been fascinating. He also wants me to do some genealogical research on both his and Mother's family -- although I know that somewhere much of this has already been done. Still, these activities are interesting for me and keep his interest...which is really important right now.

Also, synchronicity appears to be at work since we've started this project. The annual reunion of the 493rd- which has been in Florida, Colorado, California, and just about everywhere else- will be in Bossier City this year! He and Mother used to go every year, but with Mother so ill, they missed the last one. Then, in yesterday's paper, an article about a B-17 Flying Fortress that will make a stopover at Barksdale this week. Walk-through tours will be $8 and if one can afford it, 30 minute flights for $450. I'm hoping we can do the walk-through, and I can see some of what Laddie has told me about. It would be wonderful to do the flight, but that is a bit pricey. For him to actually be able to see and walk through one again should be enough. Only 9 of the more than 12,000 B-17 Flying Fortresses built are still flying today so it really is an historic opportunity.

March Journal Quilt

The March Journal Quilt celebrates the lion and the Chinese Lion Dance. Dating back to the early Ch’in and Han Dynasties (Third Century B. C.), the Chinese Lion Dance is associated with the Chinese New Year, the consecration of temples, the opening of businesses, planting and harvest times, weddings, births -- celebrations. The lion dance is believed to bring luck and happiness.

The lion is enacted by two dancers. One handles the head and can move the lion’s mouth, eyes, and ears for expression. The second controls the body and tail. These are usually skillful kung fu students and their movements are full of life and energy. accompanied by three musicians playing a large drum, cymbals, and gong, the lion is led by a Little Buddha who teases it with a fan or giant ball.

If you ever have the opportunity to watch the remarkable antics of these joyful and flirtatious creatures, don’t pass it up.

This piece was needle-felted onto a piece of fabric that was then stitched with various threads for texture and design. The needle-felted head was then cut out and sewed onto the background fabric.

Jen Mullen
Bayou Quilts
March 2006
Here is the needle-felted head before being cut out. I left some of the wool partially needle-felted, but loose to create the "beard-y" look.

Here is the final version. And detail.

The colors, details, and expressions vary slightly among lions, and there is a difference between Northern and Southern lions. This is an example I've posted before -- an excellent video clip of a portion of a lion dance.

?? font size

All of a sudden my font size changed from normal to small. I tried going back and fixing a couple of posts, but all of my earlier posts are now tiny! I didn't do it. And going back and changing all of them manually would be a pain. It isn't as tiny in Firefox, but IE is too small for me to read.

Anyone else having this problem? Or know how to fix it?

Great Truths and sneak peek

My cousin forwarded these funny lists of Truths.

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.

Great Truths About Growing Old:
1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:
1) You believe in Santa Claus.
2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3) You are Santa Claus.
4) You look like Santa Claus.

(sent by my cousin; originated from Clive Banefield)

I'm back to working on the March JQ. Well, I was, and now I'm not. Finally got the back printed with the history and other info. Used June Tailor sheets of very thin muslin on a backing that didn't serve the purpose; they were very flimsy and wanted to separate going through printer, but eventually, they were printed, wonder-undered, and applied to a larger muslin back because the sheets weren't quite large enough. Most of the quilting is done and next, the old trap-door, inside-out, pillow-slip method. Tomorrow...

WWII Notes

Friday night we took Laddie to Kon Tiki, and Amelia met us there. I know she's my daughter and that I'm prejudiced, but she looked so pretty! And she's funny. And tall. Sometimes you take things for granted, and sometimes you pay attention. (Now Erin is also pretty, and smart, and funny, but short like me).

After Tai Chi on Saturday, I went by to check on Laddie. It was pouring rain, so we didn't want to do the grocery store thing or any activity that would mean getting out of the car. He had received a newsletter from his the 493 Bomber Group, and we discovered that the reunion this year will be in Bossier City! How convenient is that?!

I started questioning him about The War ( WWII, of course). In 1941, he graduated from high school and headed to Baton Rouge to attend LSU. On Sept. 28, he turned 18. On Dec. 7, 1941, he was at the theater in Tiger Town (I wonder if it was the one next to the Chimes?) when they stopped the movie, announced the attack on Pearl Harbor, and broadcast President Roosevelt's "day of infamy" speech.

All young men at the time had to take part in military training at college (ROTC?); those who were close to graduating were called up immediately. He and a friend enlisted in the Army Air Force (converted in 1941 from the Air Corps). Shortly thereafter, he was drafted and had to explain to the Navy that he had already signed up for the Air Force. He wanted to fly and thought part of the reason was the closeness of Barksdale Air Force Base.

Now, I'm trying to picture my eighteen-year-old father-- from a tiny, tiny rural town -- leaving home to go to school at LSU in Baton Rouge. To a campus that was probably, even at that time, ten times larger than the town he grew up in. Just the campus. Then hearing of the attack on Pearl Harbor and enlisting. Taking the train from Shreveport to Shepherd Field, Texas for basic training and a battery of tests to determine their aptitude as pilots, navigators, or bombadiers. Those with any engineering training were usually navigators, and Laddie was an engineering major at LSU.

Since it is still cold and rainy and other activities would require getting wet, I think I'll do some more questioning and note-taking today. Laddie never talked much about the war, and I want to see if I can pull more out of him. And wish I'd done so years ago.

*those with an interest in things literary might enjoy this blog...

Finished!

I wanted to use these pink fabrics, but the end result is just too pink. Still, I enjoyed playing with this piece, and it turned out better than I thought it would as it progressed step by step.








The little bird is a piece cut from the wet felted experiment. The front was pink, the back and edges were yellow. It has a slightly more textured effect that fabric, so I snipped a small piece from the edge and applied to the tree limb.


















Is anyone else having trouble getting opening certain blogs? Blogger must be having some difficulties, but only certain blogs refuse to show.

Did you know...and Poetry Thursday

that McMansion is a slang architectural term that describes those oddities of housing which now dot the suburban landscape and seem to be breeding at faster and faster rates, like...well, like the damn rabbits that are breeding in my back yard. The Wickepedia definition says, "It is a pejorative term describing a particular style of housing that--as its name suggests--is both large like a mansion and as culturally ubiquitous as McDonald's fast food restaurants." Synonyms include: Beltway Baronials, Starter Castles, Tract Mansions, Mini-Taj Mahals, Big Foot, Gable-opolis, and Faux Chateau. You can read more about it here. Very interesting! I couldn't help but laugh because there are so many in our immediate area. I think these terms describe what Deborah of Knitstory wrote about a while back. :)

I have not officially joined Poetry Thursday which DebR mentioned in a comment last week, but since this poem has been running through my mind for the last few days, I am posting a poem...on Thursday. One of my all time favorites:

In My Craft or Sullen Art

In my craft or sullen art
Exercised in the still night
When only the moon rages
And the lovers lie abed
With all their griefs in their arms,
I labor by singing light
Not for ambition or bread
Or the strut and trade of charms
On the ivory stages
But for the common wages
Of their most secret heart.
Not for the proud man apart
From the raging moon I write
On these spindrift pages
Nor for the towering dead
With their nightingales and psalms
But for the lovers, their arms
Round the griefs of the ages,
Who pay no praise or wages
Nor heed my craft or art.

Dylan Thomas

Ah, Dylan, one day I'll visit Wales and and raise my glass to you.

"Good Morning World" initial phases

Wed.
Good Morning World is almost finished...only binding is left. So far, I've been unable to decide on what I want to use, but I have narrowed it down. Some of the photos are out of focus, I've discovered that late night photos also have late night focus. There isn't that much added after the last photo -- some flowers, the sky, a bird. Would like to get the binding done now, but have such a terrible headache that waiting until later would be wise.

I should have known that although it was a beautiful day, seemingly perfect for yard work, that my allergies would disagree. A little early this year for all of the allergy problems that usually wait until April, but so it goes. Everything is earlier this year, warmth and blossoms and pollen, pollen, pollen. There is still so much to clear out and clean up (as I did nothing in the fall), and I'd better work fast because things are growing at breakneck speed. Shooting out of the earth, developing on branches, crawling across the ground... The Homestead Purple Verbena has decided to take over everything and is so beautiful with its huge purple blooms that I'm reluctant to try to bring it under control. The bee balm has again multiplied, and I must learn to be ruthless with it and with the peppermint and chocolate mint and mountain mint and butter mint. Did divide some daylillies, a feat worth of an athlete, I might add. The more I do, the more there is to do--every year. But such promise is waiting in the garden...sinus headaches and scratchy eyes are sacrifices that must be made.

Thurs.
Didn't get the binding done as headache got even worse yesterday, but today, I feel much better and may manage to motivate myself to finish!

Sarah of Art and Quilting in Camden has a new photo of her finished Earth and Turqoise. She wonders about contacting Mr. Momaday and sharing with him the lovely piece his poem inspired. Here is the poem... Don't you think Momaday would be delighted to see this??

Sunday Art Date and ...

Laddie (my father) and I went to the Norton Art Gallery yesterday. I had not been in several years and thought it would be a good way to spend the afternoon. We especially enjoyed the Spectacular Achievements: Audubon Animals of North America, a project that John James Audubon undertook in 1839 in collaboration with the Rev. John Bachman, a trained naturalist. Audubon was "the first person to discover the existence of the black-footed ferret" which is now an endangered species and discovered 15 new birds as well. In 1845, the first volume of Quadrupeds was published, the second followed in 1845, and in 1854, the final volume was published. Unfortunately, Audubon died in 1851 and didn't see the final work. Laddie and I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibit, taking our time and reading the descriptions.

We also enjoyed the Rodin's, but Laddie loves the Remington's (especially the lost wax bronze sculptures) and the work of Charles M. Russell. The Norton has a wide variety of work (American and European) but Western art was the original focus.

I decided to take off the additions (thanks to all who commented) and leave "Wind and Water" in its simpler form. Put it through the washer and dryer to get the added texture and homey look of all the wrinkles, but otherwise, nothing new.
























This is a scrappy thing, 5.75 x 13.5, that has sparkly net over it and lots of metallic thread. "Solar Flares in a Strange Climate."









Working on a silly, child-like piece right now inspired by Jerry Wray's Lake People from the Folk Art exhibit. The figure is very simple and similar to some I used several years ago in mail art, but more in nature theme. Still making decisions on borders and a few details.

Momaday's poem and Creativity

A while back Sarah Ann Smith used lines from N. Scott Momaday's poem "Earth and I Gave You Turquoise" as the basis for a beautiful quilt. I've finally gotten around to cleaning out the filing cabinet where I knew I had a copy of the poem (could not find a copy on the internet, and Sarah only had the first few lines). I copied the poem from a tape about creativity by Gabrielle Rico (thank goodness I wrote that on my notes). To Write Is To Know by Gabrielle Rico is an edited recording of a workshop and is excellent. The tape was from the library, but now I'm tempted to order it, as I review the 5 single-spaced pages of notes and quotes I made at the time.

Earth and I Gave You Turquoise

Earth and I gave you turquoise
when you walked singing
We lived living in my house
and told old stories
You grew ill when the owl cried

We will meet on black Mountain
I will bring corn for planting
and we will make fire
Children will come to your breast
You will heal my heart

I speak your name many times
the wild cane remembers you
My young brother's house is filled
I go there to sing
We have not spoken of you but our songs are sad

When Moon woman goes to you
I will follow her white way

Remember, my version is from something I heard, not read. Any errors in structure, etc. are mine.

Here are some of my favorite quotes that Rico used to reinforce her talk:

from Dance to the Piper by Martha Graham

"...There's a vitality, energy, a quickening translated through you into action. And because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is now, how valuable, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly. To keep the channels open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channels open."

Ray Bradbury on improvisation: "In quickness is truth. The faster you blurt, the more swiftly you write--the more honest you are. In hesitation is thought. In delay comes the effort for a style, instead of leaping on truth--which is the only style worth tiger-trapping."

and also from Bradbury: "Read poetry every day of your life. Poetry is good because if flexes muscles you don't often use enough. Poetry expands the senses and keeps them in prime condition. It keeps you aware of your nose, your eye, your ear, your tongue, your hand, and above all, poetry is compacted metaphor and simile. Ideas lie everywhere through the poetry books, yet how rarely have I heard teachers recommending them for browsing."

I've tossed pounds and pounds of paper, but rescued tons of odd poems that I read and copied from various books that were not in my many anthologies. Old friends that will help "[flex] muscles [I] don't often use enough."

More good things and needle felting

Good thing: Erin is having a boy! She called on Tuesday to let us know that the little bump is a bouncing baby boy. Mila will have a little brother; we will have a grandson to go with the adored Miss Mila. Due in late July.

Good thing: I love my new ergonomic rotary cutter.

Good thing: Eggplant. Made stuffed eggplant last night. Mmmm.

Valerie asked about needle felting, so I thought I'd show some of my wool roving and felting needles. It is an easy craft, but one that requires some care. My first projects left me with fingers bleeding and sore from the times my attention wandered and I jabbed my fingers instead of the project!

Here are some of the lovely wools I ordered last spring from Joggles.com. The wool is all NZ Corriedale, but all sorts of wools are available at different sites. They were $1.95 for one ounce at Joggles, I think, but as you can see, one ounce is actually a lot of wool fleece. She now sells samplers with bunches of colors. The fleece can be used for both needle felting and wet felting.

I made the little pincushions first - easy and fun. I'd seen wool pincushions (just wrapped strips of felted wool) for $13 at a LQS; I wanted one because the natural lanolin in the wool keeps pins and needles sharp and smooth, but didn't want to pay for them. So I made myself several needle felted ones with the wool fleece.
I use the flowers on crocheted hats.

Good Things

Some days, it seems appropriate to take time to acknowledge some of the good things in life:

- the beautiful poster Thomas brought me from his road trip last week to speak at a symposium for graphic designers in Cincinnati. Last year a bunch of us went to Splendors of China’s Forbidden City: The Glorious Reign of Emperor Qianlong, and Thomas acted as our impromptu docent. However, we quickly realized that other visitors thought he worked there, and began moving along with us. I would have loved the exhibit regardless, but having Thomas walk us through the art and design made the experience so much more. Anyway, this poster it the one Thomas chose, and for those of us who made the Dallas exhibition it has multiple meanings - design, content, and memories.

- Another haiku on a bill board by local poet, Nan Dozier--

Mixed forecast:
Wool socks
and sandals.

- The novel The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi.

- First steps in cleaning out and organizing garage. Looks so much better, even if there is still so much to do.

- Gardening. Dividing perennials that have been neglected is work, but work with promise.

Felting

I mentioned felting the other day, and finally uploaded my pictures. I've finished needle felting my Lion, but can't put him up yet because he will go on my March journal quilt (and I've decided on his background, too).

Here, however, is my first attempt at wet felting. It's small, approximately 6"x7", and I'm pleased with it. Hope to do better next time, but it did turn into felt, and I consider than an accomplishment!

Step by step:

3 colors of wool - why? - don't know, I was just playing around.











Layered and dotted with dishwashing soap before wetting. Poured hot water over this and sudsed it up while moving palm in circular motion over the wool. Couldn't take pictures because my hands were wet and soapy.

Then rolled up in bubble wrap and rolled back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth, etc.

Rinsed rolled in a towel and ironed.














Then, after admiring it (hey, I wasn't sure it work) for a few days, decided to practice free motion quilting on it with a variegated metallic thread. I like shiny. Now, it will be like the proverbial "first dollar bill" that people save.

I like the process. I love all my pretty wools. Now I can play at something besides needle felting. Fun.

(Folk) A.R.T. IS...

I did get back by the Folk Art exhibit and after asking permission, really just to let them know what I was doing, I took photographs of the display windows. The bottle tree is actually made of plastic bottles painted blue, but they look good and are safer than using glass bottles on a city street.

Jerry Wray's Lake People captured my attention with their cheerful, colorful "clothing."

I really enjoyed the whimsical positions these Lake People have assumed. Cypress knees, branches, Spanish moss, and turtle shells become so expressive in Wray's hands. The pictures don't do them justice, but I'd love to have one in my garden as a guardian, hedge witch, supervisor... or any role she might feel is needed.














I think Artspace did a great job with their displays. In fact, Artspace is one of the best things that has happened to the Shreveport Art Community in years. They provide so much for artist and audience alike.

They have classes for children in the basement, and when my niece Megan and I went in late December or early January, we watched the kids at work on various projects.

Bottom Line - trivial and important facts

I love my Bottom Line! I have learned about so many things before they made national news through this little periodical. It contains all kinds of financial, health, and miscellaneous information, and each little article is documented so that if you want to know more, you can easily do the research. Some of the information is important, some is completely inconsequential, but interesting.

For example, "...women who wear grapefruit scent appear to men to be about six years younger than they actually are? Scents tested that had no effect: Broccoli, banana, spearmint leaves, and lavender" Now, I ask you, did you know that? This valuable information was obtained from The Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago.

Did you know that "...a gallon of gas is cheap compared with the cost of a gallon of many household items? Nyquil, the cold remedy, costs $98/a gallon...Right Guard spray deodorant, $57/gallon..." From Consumer Reports Money Adviser

Or that exercise can help you heal 25% faster? The Journal of Gerontology published a study that indicated that of the 28 people who participated in the study and received a "small, but deep puncture wound" - those who began exercising daily healed 25% faster than those who did not.

I love stuff like this. I skip the financial and stock advice completely, but read the health and environmental and ODD articles voraciously.