Good Question

Over at Cam's Commentary, Cam's post today concerned fun. She mentions an old man who used to ask her what she had done for fun recently. Her thoughtful post made me think how I settle into a routine with the things I enjoy. Sewing, gardening, and reading are genuine pleasures, but are they fun? Yes and no, I suppose. Mostly I think I use them for solace when life is too stressful. After thinking about Cam's post, it seemed that, for me at least, fun and enjoyment have some differences.

Sewing becomes fun when something unusual and out of the ordinary occurs. When something unexpected happens. While sewing is almost always a pleasure, the fun occurs when a vague idea materializes, or when a mistake turns into a new path to pursue, or when the quilting transforms an OK piece into something I love.

This break from the routine is what I associate with fun, as opposed to enjoyment. Attitude is also important because I know people who create fun in the most mundane or even awkward circumstances. They look at things with a slightly wry or off-beat way, and thereby transform a dull situation into one that is amusing or delightful.

So today, I will be thinking beyond mere enjoyment, beyond events that create stress, and will be trying to observe and participate in a way that moves the moment from what it is to something more.

I will try to remember to ask myself what I've done for fun lately. If I can't come up with a situation that fits, I'll try to think of one. Making plans for a trip to a nursery, a quilt shop, or a museum; a day trip somewhere; getting tickets to events, but adding the ATTITUDE.

Attending Delirium was a joy, but those opportunities are rare. I want to be aware on a much smaller scale of how to turn the mundane into diversion, to take a bit more gusto from the everyday, to approach life with relish. I want to add new things when necessary, but approach the routine things with a new look. Hard work can be fun, being creative is fun...I just want to be aware and appreciative.

My pleasures are small ones, but I can add spice if I try. What do you do for fun? How does your idea of fun differ? The differences are less important than the awareness.

Gardens, Quilts, and Paper Dolls

Yesterday started with phone calls that had to be tended to, and I didn't get home until nearly noon. Then last night more stressful stuff on the same topic, although part of the discussion was on the patio of El Chico's, and I did get a beer out of it. So...nothing really accomplished yesterday in the garden or sewing room.

Today will be more of the same, but I'm trying to get myself better organized. :)

Over at The Fabric of Meditation you can find this little quilt that I just adore. And so much more.

If you like paper dolls, this site is terrific. Here is a very glamorous one from the 20's and if you run your curser over her, her clothes change. And here is Jane Austen, and Beth from Little Women. I may end up ordering some of these. For Our Mila, of course; I'm way too old for paper dolls...or not.

Whew, finally found the time to finish this post.

Delirum

I had a lovely evening yesterday. Marty and Robin invited me to go with them to see Delirium, one of Cirque de Soleil's traveling troupes. We had a pleasant meal with good food and good talk before the show. My nieces and nephew, unfortunately, got hung up in traffic on I-20 (two accidents) on their way from Ruston and missed the meal.

They were waiting in the parking lot, however, when we arrived. So the second "good thing" was getting a chance to see the three of them.

Then, from the minute the lights went out, we were all entranced. It was visually stunning. Too much to look at, no matter where you looked something was going on. You'd have to see the show more than once to see it all.

Afterwards, we all babbled about the various performances and agreed (well, all the women, anyway) that we preferred the shows with a stronger story line. Which took nothing away from our joy in the performances and the special effects.

After the show, Marty overheard one man say, "I want the hula girl." To which someone replied, "We ALL want the hula girl!"

The "hula girl" put on a remarkable performance with hula hoops and was certainly a sultry-looking male-oriented vision.

A fantastic experience, that only whets the appetite for more magic.

You can watch the rehearsal film clip here.

There is a certain irony to the title, eh, Marty?

Not much going on...

Through a dirty window yesterday morning, I snapped this squirrel at the watering hole.

Yesterday started out well. I had several errands to run, then was planning to meet the Tai Chi group in the park. All went well until I was waiting to get my inspection sticker. The place I used to use no longer does inspections, so I was forced to visit the dreaded "Crazy Old Man." He isn't crazy, he's really quite nice, but his sense of humor isn't always appreciated, thus the local epithet.

Two vehicles in front of me. I wait, quietly. Then he starts yelling, "Stop! Stop!" My car was in park, but I put on my breaks anyway. No, he's yelling at the guy in the truck...who has already stopped. Ha, ha. Then the guy in front of me gets out of his car to stretch his legs. And locks his keys in the car. After about 10 minutes, the COM finishes with the truck, and the guy next in line is still stuck outside with no keys (but he does have his cell phone).

Finally, the COM motions me around the poor keyless guy. As I roll into place, COM yells, "Stop! Stop!" O.K. "Driver's license, proof of insurance, registration papers." I hand him my license and open the glove compartment for the proof of insurance and registration papers. No proof of insurance card; no current one at any rate. I retrieve my license, and COM says, "I'm married." Huh? "I saw you making eyes at me." :) Oh, yeah.

As I drive off, I hear him yelling, "Stop! Stop!" at the car moving into my place, as I headed home to see about the proof of insurance. It was in the afternoon mail. I never got to the park. I still don't have my inspection sticker.

Some garden shots. The weigelia is coming into bloom. The squirrels are active. It rained early this morning, and I'm so greatful. The ground is bone dry, and we need several inches more, but any rain is a blessing at this point. Lately, all of the rain that has threatened has moved around us, leaving us high and dry, so to speak.

Garden and stuff

Long hours in the garden this weekend. Long. Doesn't look great, but it is coming along.

You can see the size of this "snowball" if you look at my arm in the bottom left corner. Here is one that is only beginning its transformation from green to white.

I started yesterday before it was completely light and worked around 12 hours on mundane chores that are necessary, but dull; should have done much of it in the fall, but...I didn't.

Here are some of my garden enemies. I'm beginning all out war - again. Fireants, such hateful creatures.







On other subjects:

Move your cursor around and create - the fun is in watching.

Ai Kijima uses commercial and recycled fabric, fusing and quilting.

Sewing, gardening, yadda, yadda

Haven't had much time for sewing lately. I was originally going to try to make at LEAST one monkey block a day, but that was a week or two back. Here is all I've done recently.

The sawtooth border strip is new; the other border strip is left over from a project a couple of years ago, but the colors work. I'm still enjoying this using of scraps mixed with the monkey fabric and the Marston "liberated style."

Yard work and all the other concerns of life have been taking time lately. Yesterday, among other things, I went to Cold Water Creek, Ann Taylor, and Dillard's looking for casual clothes. Didn't find anything that I liked or that fit...one or the other. Since I have little patience for shopping, that was a big undertaking and a lot of lost time for nothing. I couldn't face going anywhere else.

Took the groceries over to Laddie's, then headed back to my side of the river and to the library where my friend Donnie (librarian) made fun of me because the books were overdue. "So what?" I say. "A two dollar fine for the use of all of these books for a little more than two weeks--well worth it." He just grins. We've had this conversation so many times.

The trip to the library was more profitable than the attempt to find clothing, but since I have so many stacks already waiting, completely unnecessary.

Home Depot provided tomato plants, dill, cilantro, various pepper plants, zucchini and crookneck squash, eggplant, and marigolds. :)

More Street Art and a funny tag

Reading

I started Letters of Flannery O'Connor: The Habit of Being yesterday as I waited for the locksmith to arrive, then re-key all of the locks at Laddie's. (We have lots of extra keys, now--hedging against future loss.) I just finished Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee and last fall read a biography of Eudora Welty. Didn't realize that I was beginning a reading itinerary of female Southern authors until I just typed those lines! Annnywaayy...O'Connor's letters are marvelous!

O'Connor, who suffered from Lupus, writes of a hospitalization during which a nurse talked all of the time: "...She told me all about the low life in Wilkinson County. I seldom know in any given circumstances whether the Lord is giving me a reward or a punishment. She didn't know she was funny and it was agony to laugh and I reckon she increased my pain about 100%."

In her eary 20's, O'Connor was trying to get released from a publishing company that really didn't like her work; in a letter to Paul Engle discussing the situation, she says: "Selby came to the conclusion that I was 'prematurely arrogant.' I supplied him with the phrase."

:) I'm in no hurry to finish this book, but I'm not sure that the book won't hurry me along.

Tuesday's musings

Watched Dear Frankie last night and really liked it. Had a little difficulty with the accents at first, but the ear becomes attuned fairly quickly. Usually I only watch movies when I'm doing handwork, but I was too tired to concentrate on more than one thing at a time. The link leads to a preview of the movie if you want to take a look.

Another warm spring day. I did a little yard work this morning; mostly clean up, although I used RoundUp on some of those pesky vines that a warm winter put into high gear a little early.


Finished the blanket stitch on the letters on "Her Mouth Don't Know No Sunday." Fee says he'd like this one when I'm finished...I'm wondering if there is some kind of message to be read in his preference.

Didn't get back from Tai Chi until about 9:30 or a little later tonight, but enjoyed the class and seeing everyone after another long absence. The road to hell, and all that. My good intentions about getting back on schedule have not materialized, but I'm going to try once more.

Max and Mila

"What is this, Jenny Claire?"
"An Iris."
"What are the letters for Iris?"
"I...R...I...S"
"What's this, Jenny Claire?"
"Verbena."
"What are the letters for Verbena?"

We didn't get enough pictures this time. Things were just too hectic! But take a look at those boots, which our Mila insisted on wearing even though they rubbed marks on her sockless legs. I wish I'd gotten some pictures of her gardening. Her bangs are growing out and keeping her hair out of her eyes was pretty difficult as she kept pulling out the barrets.



With Max, we mostly made him laugh--too contagious--he'd start and then we'd all be lack that silly laughing game.

A Grand Weekend

What a full weekend! Grandbabies and daughters and sons-in-law, brother and sister-in-law, and Laddie. My ears are still ringing a little from all of the chatter.

Saturday morning Mila and I walked, tricycled, and work in the yard. She's a great little helper! Then crawfish and beer in the afternoon with my daughters dominating the conversation...chatter, chatter, chatter. Perfectly beautiful afternoon for sitting outside eating crawfish and drinking beer.

Max is the funniest, fat, little boy; he laughs and watches and always seems happy and content.

Saturday afternoon was ribs and bar-b-qued chicken, beans, corn on the cob. Another relaxing day of perfect weather. Mila planted more caladiums, tricycled, and generally kept herself active. When they all crashed for their afternoon nap, Fee and I sat around and appreciated the fact that the weather had been so cooperative for this visit.

They didn't leave until 6:00. Erin went back to Alexandria for her trial (Eric and the kids joined her there on Friday, and they came here in one car), and Eric and the kids were probably going to stay there before heading back to Baton Rouge this morning. He is on spring break so there was no rush for him to get back to work.

I know it is hard for them that Erin's work with the A.G.'s office requires travel, but she rarely has to go very far. She is only in Alexandria because the local D.A. had to recuse himself.

Laddie has a doctor's appt. this morning, so I've got to go ahead and get dressed, but boy, I'm feeling lazy.

Saturday and grands

Well, Thursday and Friday were hectic and not too effective in the house cleaning department, but thanks to all the assurances that I'm not alone in this department, I did the best I could and shrugged off the frustration.

Erin, Eric, Mila, and Max arrived last night. Now, that is enough to drag me out of depression and frustration. Must get back to Barny and Mila, but will check in when I have a chance.

Well, yesterday was spent with L. in the waiting room of the Quick Care, and all of the before and after stuff. This morning, I received another call at 7:30 that will wipe out much of my day. So...have I learned anything from this? Will I do a better job of keeping up with the vacuuming and other chores? Will I do all of the errands and grocery shopping in a more timely manner.
Mmmm.

The house and yard will just not get cleaned up. I thought I had 2 full days to get everything done at my leisure, but things haven't worked out that way.

Right now, I'm waiting on a call from the doctor.

A couple more inspirational places to visit:

ACey is always experimenting and creating. I was trying to wait until her current post didn't have the bird postcard I sent her featured, but what the heck? I'm kinda proud that she posted it again...

Rian is continues creating her goddess and showing the process step by step.

Margaret has done some wonderful things with moons.

Time's up. Have a good weekend!

Tips...

Thanks for all of the suggestions on creating more contrast between trees and background (on last post). I always appreciate suggestions! Have created a bit more contrast with colored pencils and hope that the quilting (whenever I get back to this piece) will also help.

For an amusing approach to some excellent tips, visit Granny. And if you need advice, Granny has a page for that as well. Be sure to find out why they took Granny's design wall away from her.

I'm doing a lot of experimenting lately. One must take advantage of inspiration, even if it it is not your own. The inspiration of others keeps my mind spinning with possibilities. Here are some things I want to try (at some point):

From Nellie at Nellie's Needles : Quilting and Press'n Seal, and oh, almost anything that Nellie does. Ortwork or crinkle quilts or shoes.

From Jude at Spirit Cloth: letter blocks and story quilts and more, lots more.


**I started this post this morning, before "stuff happened" and I had to leave. It never fails that when you think you have plenty of time, you don't. Someday, I'll learn not to procrastinate, because as sure as I do (thinking that I'll have plenty of time to tend to those chores, like cleaning for company) something will come up, and I will wish I hadn't assumed I had plenty of time.

I left in the middle of this post, and now that I'm home, I've got to get busy and catch up on other things, so this post will have to be curtailed. I'll finish looking at inspiration later, but I'm expecting company this weekend, our daughter and her family. So I must get some things done now and will have grandchildren to entertain me this weekend!

WIP Wed

This is one of 3 trees I'm working on. No idea where this is going, but I love the trees from 2 batik fabrics that I fused. There really isn't enough contrast between trees and background, but of course, I fused them onto the background without paying attention to that. And I do love the background. From a distance, though, it just appears too dark.

I had two different ideas when I started this last week, but don't think either will work. So it will just stay up for a while and may end up like Garden Girl, taking months before deciding on where to go.


I've been wanting to use this old saying for some time now. Decided to try fusing the letters and will do a blanket stitch around each. I think. That's pretty time consuming, and I'm not sure this will ever be anything more than an experiment.

I've made a few more monkey related blocks, too. Need to take some time today and work on a few more.

And there is one more idea in the works and a sketch of a crane that I'm debating on.

Watched Saving Grace last night. Love Craig Ferguson and thoroughly enjoyed the movie, doing a little more handquilting on the pink floral baby quilt.

Lenten Rose

Here is the Lenten Rose (Hellleborus orientalis) I re-discovered. They like full to partial shade and were almost hidden which is one reason I've overlooked them this year; the colors are delicate and soft. Not the best picture of them.




I've been busy folding fabric, not putting it away, just straightening it up. I'm still drawing from this large stack, but in the resulting chaos of cutting a bit from this one or that one, looking for another red, or for a polka dot, or for the right piece for the roof the pile on my cutting table had grown.




As I've folded and stacked, I've been listening to NPR on line: Roger Angell talking about his stepfather E.B. White and White's recently published letters and another interview with Angell on the writing life; Fifty Years of The Cat in the Hat; Fiona Ritchie of Thistle and Shamrock being interviewed on All Songs Considered discussing Celtic music. It is much easier to clean up while listening.

A sawtooth border pinned and ready for chain piecing and a liberated tree.

Another sign, garden chores, and a Lenten Rose

Laume (of Laume's Studio and Beach Treasure) enjoyed the signs I posted earlier and emailed this picture she took in New York. Little chance of confusion with the bottom one. Thanks, Laume!

This morning it rained, and I complained because the weather was so beautiful yesterday, and I'd planned on yard work today. As I moaned and groaned, it cleared off and we were treated to a marvelous afternoon. So the yard and garden clean up got done after all.

Although we need the rain (and it is moving back in as I type), we also needed to do some mowing and trimming and disposal of all the detritus that wasn't discarded in the fall. Fee was home this afternoon and did the mowing and gutter cleaning. I dug up a shrub and two rose bushes that were in the wrong place and that I've threatened to dispose of every year. I also dug up cannas that were WAY to crowded and banana plants that were in the wrong place. It was an afternoon extravaganza, but things are looking better. It was so hot! Shorts, sleeveless shirt, and sweat--a winning combination.

My treat was finding a Lenten Rose I'd planted a couple of years ago and forgotten about. Actually thought it died during last year's drought. But no, in perfect harmony with the season, it was putting on a lovely, if tastefully sedate show. Now, why didn't I take pictures? Didn't even dawn on me and doubt I'll have a chance tomorrow, if the weather holds to the prediction. I'm always forgetting to take my camera with me when I leave, but the camera was within easy reach if I'd just thought of it.

Little houses

After Laddie and I made our country journey yesterday, I came home and worked a little more on the monkeys. This process is more fun than, well, a barrel of monkeys! I've made some little houses and trees and wonkey stars.











I'm going to continue making little blocks and pieces, learning as I go. Later, the process of choosing which ones to use, which to discard, and how to arrange... Not to worry about that yet.

The process is slow, but enjoyable. As usual, I don't know where I'm going, but the Marston/Moran philosopy encourages my natural tendencies toward randomness, which gives me confidence. If the finished block doesn't appeal, it can be added to or tossed. I'm not fond of this one, but it was the very first one, and helped me understand the process. Since I'm not good at following directions, I have to learn with my hands, trying to be tolerant of mistakes in vision and application.

Monkey See...

I've been playing with my monkeys...those Funkey Monkeys from Moda. I've had the fabric for some time now, since last summer at least. I decided to experiment a bit with them, and taking Gwen Marston at her word, I'm not concerning myself with exact measurements.

I checked out her book on liberated quiltmaking last summer, but now wish I'd gone ahead and purchased it. I do have a copy of Collaborative Quilting (more pictures) which I love and browse through frequently.



Going through my stash and looking for fabrics I can use with these little blocks creates the usual mess. I need someone to follow behind me and re-fold and put away, but since that little helper doesn't exist, chaos results.








I'm going to try to make one or two blocks a day. It will be good practice and the more often I'm at the machine, the more my mind turns to quilt possibilities. In the end, I expect to discard a number of the blocks, but should have enough for a baby quilt.



Still handquilting the other baby quilt whenever I watch television, but my Monday television evening has been drastically curtailed with the removal of Studio 60 (whine, whine).

I did, however, watch a great movie this week Antonia's Line. There is a video preview with the link, but for some reason, I can't watch the preview with Firefox; it does work with IE. The movie won Best Foreign Film in 1995 and is a genuine pleasure. Watch the video preview and see what you think.

Stupid Signs

These signs are worthy of a smile this morning! A little wry twist to the typical warnings can catch your attention and your sense of humor.

Studio 60 ?

If you are a fan of Studio 60, here is a link to a petition to keep it on the air.

On the subject of crones... :) and my first crone

As I've repeated (ad nauseum), I love myth, folk lore, fairy tales, Jungian archetypes, symbols, etc. I discovered this link to another subject that, uh, interests me. Here are a few books I really need to read (I'll post the complete list on my book blog):

Bolen, Jean Shinoda (2003) Crones Don't Whine: Concentrated Wisdom for Juicy Women. York Beach, Maine: Red Wheel/Weiser

Bolen, Jean Shinoda (1998) Close to the Bone. New York: Scribner

Bolen, Jean Shinoda (1995) Crossing to Avalon: A Woman's Midlife Pilgrimage. New York: Harper San Francisco

Brewi, Janice and Brennan, Anne (1988) Mid-Life Spirituality and Jungian Archetypes. York Beach, Maine: Nicolas-Hays

(here she is checking on the first of the Homestead Purple Verbena and with a little Photoshop magic) click on image to enlarge

Chinen, Allan B. (1989) Once upon a Midlife: Classic Stories and Mythic Tales to Illuminate the Middle Years. Wilmette, IL: Chiron

Chinen, Allan B. (1989) In the Ever After: Fairy Tales and the Second Half of Life. Wilmette, IL: Chiron

Pretat, Jane R. (1994) Coming To Age: The Croning Years and Late-Life Transformation. Toronto: Inner City Books

Damn! I really should have stock in Amazon!

Bent Needle and More

Have you seen the latest edition of The Bent Needle? Take your time and enjoy yourself! I love scrap quilts...everything from Nellie's "Ort Work" to traditional scrap quilts, and they are all included here.

Can you say, DEATH WISH? There is some truth to Darwin's premise of survival of the fittest or, perhaps, extinction of the most foolish.


And another example of cool sidewalk art!

Garden Girl and the Crone

Thanks to all of you for the nice comments on Garden Girl. I started out with the idea of using that pink striped for tights, then I wanted to use some bright batik scraps against the black. Had know specific figure or character in mind until the garden started developing, blossom by blossom. Then the figure became something else, with the garden element, she became something kind of magical.

During those months that I couldn't seem to create anything--a long dry spell with only oven mitts and a table topper to show for it, WIP girl was just one more project I didn't want to work on.

Maybe the handquilting on the baby quilt helped get me back in the mood. No doubt, the myths I've been reading (especially The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden, which I raved about here and here on my book blog) were part of the inspiration to continue the magical aspect. Maybe the girl is a descendant of the Green Man, a gentler version. Or a hedge witch, a master of flowers and herbs, perfumes and remedies.

Fran, I know she'd love your wild gardens; she would be right at home in Toad Haven Annex. She just finished a chapter on drought tolerant plants.

For those of you who thought she might be me: Nope. I'm the Garden Crone. Remember me?

Ta Da ! WIP Girl Finally Finished

I thought it would take just a few hours to finish her. As usual, I was wrong; all my decisions are slow and time consuming. She took a couple of hours Friday night. Working, thinking, deciding. From about 7:30 this morning until noon. Then when I got home tonight...about 30 more minutes to finish the background quilting. She's done! And I'm pleased with her. Another of my "wild hair" girls/ladies.

Here she is where I left her in October or November. Languishing on the design wall, neglected and alone. You've seen her before.

And finally, the finished Garden Girl, with hair and book, etc. Her hair is wild and wind-blown, and she has plenty of flowers. A few changes and additions; the book was an afterthought, as spring is in the air and all gardeners need inspiration.

After cutting some bias strips last night for the binding so I could get a certain slant that I wanted...woke up this morning and opted for easier and faster and no interference at the edge.

Had to fuse some more floral fabric to cut out individual blossoms because the extra ones I'd cut out in November just weren't where I thought they were. A little gold metallic thread to highlight the flowers--very slowly done to avoid fraying.

Blogging Difficulties

I don't know if anyone else is having this problem, but several times today I was unable to comment on Blogger posts because the letters weren't visible. Kim, I really love "tiara" of hearts; as usual, you have such an inventive way of expressing yourself. The words on the back are great, too. Are they fused, then sewn?

Another blogging difficulty has been the return of spam. For such a long time after turning the word verification off on my blog, I had no problems. Then I started getting spam again and had to turn word verification back on. I'm going to wait a few more days then turn it off again. All the spam comments were on older posts and appeared to be the same person. Hopefully, he/she will forget about me after a while.

After the stormy start today, we ended up with cooler weather and sunshine. I find it hard to imagine the snow storms that some states are going through, but by cooler, I mean back down in the 60's.

Fusing and "stuff"

A while back, I played with some of my scraps, fusing them into a new "fabric." It was fun taking all of the little pieces, cutting some and using others as they were and just fusing them randomly or deliberately.

Have no idea what I'm going to do with them yet, but they can be cut and fused again if I want.












Working in travertine marble, Girolama Ciulla creates these lovely, mythic sculptures.


We are in for some bad weather. Have been through the first wave, but this is supposed to go on all day.