Something I love that Shreveport has done (well, someone in Shreveport) is dedicate billboards to Highway Haiku. There is one on Youree Drive that I pass frequently and if I can, I jot down the poem.
Here are a few that I liked:
Following a faint lead
The intergalactic gumshoe
Trails a comet.
-? April 1, 2005
Sandstone precipice
Late Triassic Period
Cliff Notes.
-Melissa J. Fowler
In winter twilight
Serenely the Madonna
Wears a crown of snow.
- Norma ?
Out of the Baptismal
I arise
A wet sinner.
- Chris Toomey
I've jotted down others on scraps of paper that I can no longer find. GRRR. Unable to always get the author; they are, however, local people, and I sometimes recognize the names.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Friday, July 29, 2005
Quilting
Pat Dolan began a discussion about quilting on QA that really appeals to me, and I hope the thread develops further.
Sometimes a piece that I don't like will be transformed in a positive way when quilted, but the converse is also true: frequently a piece that I am pleased with will turn out badly or lose its charm when quilted. The reason, I think, is that I don't really have the vision, experience, and skill to use the quilting to enhance the piece. When it works, it is purely accidental. I have trouble with all phases of the quilting - the vision, first and foremost, as I don't have it; the skill; the choice of thread, the total amount of quilting. This final phase is crucial and can make or break a piece, and on a piece I like, the quilting holds much trepidation for me and no sense of confidence.
I love looking at the quilting of others who manage to do this well and try to absorb the elusive intent involved, but the vision in my own work...escapes me.
Sometimes a piece that I don't like will be transformed in a positive way when quilted, but the converse is also true: frequently a piece that I am pleased with will turn out badly or lose its charm when quilted. The reason, I think, is that I don't really have the vision, experience, and skill to use the quilting to enhance the piece. When it works, it is purely accidental. I have trouble with all phases of the quilting - the vision, first and foremost, as I don't have it; the skill; the choice of thread, the total amount of quilting. This final phase is crucial and can make or break a piece, and on a piece I like, the quilting holds much trepidation for me and no sense of confidence.
I love looking at the quilting of others who manage to do this well and try to absorb the elusive intent involved, but the vision in my own work...escapes me.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Shoe Fetish, Anyone?
While avoiding work of any kind I discovered this site of Michael de Meng's hilarious haberdashery items. While there, check out his other mixed media stuff...fun and funky.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Taiji Legacy
Woke up this morning and could barely move. Muscles in my arms, neck, and back were so stiff and sore that even turning over was a pain. Couldn't imagine what I'd done...then, I remembered - that push hands match and practicing moving push hands with Lily Mak. Ahhh, no wonder I'm so sore! Practice in class and a push hands match are two different animals. If I compete in push hands again, and I loved doing it, I will have to do something about increasing my upper body strength. Partly because, at 110 lbs., I'm at the bottom of the weight scale and don't have enough skill to divert the strength of heavier opponents without resorting to trying to match them in strength. Inspite of what I "know" about dissolving and diverting, my instinctive reaction is to just resist, not use skill, when attacked with sudden force. Actually, in all of the women's push hands matches, there was only one woman who genuinely had the instinctive ideal of listening and responding with appropriate small force to uproot her opponent. Nina and I were really impressed with her. I did win my match (small miracle) and found it excellent experience for showing what I'm doing wrong.
The Dallas trip was fun in many ways: good company, seeing people from previous years, watching outstanding performances, and so on. However, there were some problems: as usual things ran late, but even later than usual; the Masters' Demo was way too long (it is a real shame when one ceases to appreciate the skill and grace of the performers); several rings had only 4 judges, and without 5 judges, the high and low scores can not be thrown out; several published rules were not followed. Overall though, after enjoying the process of complaining, I still consider it a great trip and enjoyed dissecting every move, event, performance, style, etc. with Thomas, Nina, Beth, and Jimmy. Especially in internal weapons where all styles compete, and we can see Yang, Chen, and Wu saber performances for comparison.
I was pleased with my performances and had less anxiety. Thomas is always cool and calm and perfectly timed. Jimmy competed for the first time, but seemed untouched by nerves. Although we went for 12 hours on Sat. with only the sustenance of two breakfast bars before getting to eat at about 10:00 PM, as soon as we ate, we regained energy.
Erin and Eric found a house to rent that they are very pleased with and were pretty pumped. I talked to Erin on the phone Sun. morning, but they left around noon, and I didn't get home until that night. Mila delighted Fee by calling him "Granddaddy," and I am jealous because I didn't even get to see her.
The Dallas trip was fun in many ways: good company, seeing people from previous years, watching outstanding performances, and so on. However, there were some problems: as usual things ran late, but even later than usual; the Masters' Demo was way too long (it is a real shame when one ceases to appreciate the skill and grace of the performers); several rings had only 4 judges, and without 5 judges, the high and low scores can not be thrown out; several published rules were not followed. Overall though, after enjoying the process of complaining, I still consider it a great trip and enjoyed dissecting every move, event, performance, style, etc. with Thomas, Nina, Beth, and Jimmy. Especially in internal weapons where all styles compete, and we can see Yang, Chen, and Wu saber performances for comparison.
I was pleased with my performances and had less anxiety. Thomas is always cool and calm and perfectly timed. Jimmy competed for the first time, but seemed untouched by nerves. Although we went for 12 hours on Sat. with only the sustenance of two breakfast bars before getting to eat at about 10:00 PM, as soon as we ate, we regained energy.
Erin and Eric found a house to rent that they are very pleased with and were pretty pumped. I talked to Erin on the phone Sun. morning, but they left around noon, and I didn't get home until that night. Mila delighted Fee by calling him "Granddaddy," and I am jealous because I didn't even get to see her.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Fashion
Since I rarely go anywhere that I need anything special, shopping for clothes is a rare (and unpleasant) experience. Not that I don't love beautiful things, I do, but without the occasion to wear them, my money can be better spent on things that bring immediate gratification - read sewing, crafting, etc. However, through a series of unremembered links from one site to another (but at some point ending up with Kaffe Fasset), this site Peruvian Connection appeared. If I had more social situations and had plenty of money, I could spend a ton of money here. Oh, and if we had a real winter...
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Sold
Received two emails from Virginia this morning and both my donated postcards sold. The second one isn't marked yet, but did sell. She has raised $5,600 so far. The first one was posted yesterday afternoon, and the second must have gone up early this morning or late last night as the email was 5:06 AM. She must never get away from the computer as she is responding to everyone so quickly.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Projects
I've been working on several projects and trying to post one, but having difficulty with Picasa2...or Hello...or my technical skills.
I have gotten a good bit done on the quilt I might use for the swap. Now it is up on the wall with scraps, cording, and other embellishments pinned to it. Will leave it for another day or so before trying to make any decisions.
Taiji Legacy is this weekend in Dallas, but now there is some question about whether Fee will be able to go. Oh, and Thomas sent me a link that listed our names as qualified for the Las Vegas Chinese Martial Arts Championships. Thomas is seriously considering that tournament, but I'm just hoping I'll make it to Dallas this weekend.
**Erin and Eric are going to Jackson later this week to look things over in advance of their prospective move. Erin will have to take the Mississippi bar exam in order to practice, and that will not be until February. I worry a bit about her having to handle everything herself in B.R. since Eric will have to be in Jackson in August. The house will have to be sold (or rented) and Erin will have to work, care for Mila, and see about the house while he is gone. They will have to make do on one salary if Erin quits and joins Eric in Jackson, and that will be difficult! On the other hand, they are capable people and don't really need my worries.
Fortunately, Jackson is a straight shot to the east for us, so it isn't as if they are going to be much farther away, just a different direction.
I have gotten a good bit done on the quilt I might use for the swap. Now it is up on the wall with scraps, cording, and other embellishments pinned to it. Will leave it for another day or so before trying to make any decisions.
Taiji Legacy is this weekend in Dallas, but now there is some question about whether Fee will be able to go. Oh, and Thomas sent me a link that listed our names as qualified for the Las Vegas Chinese Martial Arts Championships. Thomas is seriously considering that tournament, but I'm just hoping I'll make it to Dallas this weekend.
**Erin and Eric are going to Jackson later this week to look things over in advance of their prospective move. Erin will have to take the Mississippi bar exam in order to practice, and that will not be until February. I worry a bit about her having to handle everything herself in B.R. since Eric will have to be in Jackson in August. The house will have to be sold (or rented) and Erin will have to work, care for Mila, and see about the house while he is gone. They will have to make do on one salary if Erin quits and joins Eric in Jackson, and that will be difficult! On the other hand, they are capable people and don't really need my worries.
Fortunately, Jackson is a straight shot to the east for us, so it isn't as if they are going to be much farther away, just a different direction.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Virginia Spiegal fund raiser
I mailed my check this morning for the purchase of Peg Keeney's lovely work Serenity #4
http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/NewFiles/ACSFundraisersoldG.html and can't wait to receive it. From her comments, Virginia A. Spiegel's Fiberart For A Cause (American Cancer Society Fundraiser) has far exceeded her expectations. I included two of my postcards for auction after much debate about having mine show up with some of the marvelous ones I've seen on the site.
The work that goes into managing something like this must be tremendous. Can you imagine: 1) keeping up with all of the emails? 2) keeping up with the pics on the site (posting the new and moving the sold to another page) 3) checking to see how folks want the cards mailed (as postcard or in envelope) 4) having all of those mailed as postcards hand cancelled (at my post office - God love 'em - the line is always lengthy) 5) handling the checks and depositing them ...
I know that isn't all there is to it, but the task is clearly time-consuming, to say the least.
On the other hand, the tremendous response that causes so much work has raised a great deal of money for an excellent cause. Hats off to Virginia Spiegal!!
http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/NewFiles/ACSFundraisersoldG.html and can't wait to receive it. From her comments, Virginia A. Spiegel's Fiberart For A Cause (American Cancer Society Fundraiser) has far exceeded her expectations. I included two of my postcards for auction after much debate about having mine show up with some of the marvelous ones I've seen on the site.
The work that goes into managing something like this must be tremendous. Can you imagine: 1) keeping up with all of the emails? 2) keeping up with the pics on the site (posting the new and moving the sold to another page) 3) checking to see how folks want the cards mailed (as postcard or in envelope) 4) having all of those mailed as postcards hand cancelled (at my post office - God love 'em - the line is always lengthy) 5) handling the checks and depositing them ...
I know that isn't all there is to it, but the task is clearly time-consuming, to say the least.
On the other hand, the tremendous response that causes so much work has raised a great deal of money for an excellent cause. Hats off to Virginia Spiegal!!
Friday, July 15, 2005
New postcards
Two new postcards: Blue Atmosphere and
Desert Landscape. I need to stop playing with scraps and move on to something larger and less spontaneous, but this is so much fun.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Blogs
The quilt art list is all in an uproar again. This time the victim appears to be Blogs (and by extension bloggers). Another tempest in a teapot, I guess, but boy, do some people sound resentful.
I'm thoroughly enjoying this experience, but agree that it is certainly not for everyone. I love reading the blogs of members of the Artful Quilters Ring and seeing the work that others, of all skill and talent levels, are doing. It has been fun to go down the list a few a day to see what is going on in the lives of so many disparate women with a common love of fiber. There are obviously some blogs I visit more often - sometimes leaving comments, sometimes not. I'm new to both the quilting world and to blogging and have a lot to learn; the blogs are both educational and entertaining.
The quiltart list has also been educational and entertaining, but often confrontational about things that are really just personal choices, beliefs, or opinions. Each serves a purpose, and I see no reason to have to choose. The blogs, for me, are remarkably inspirational because I'm a visual person and because I enjoy seeing things in progress. They can be time consuming, but I've found myself more active, not less.
Also, for most members of the Artful Quilters Web Ring, the blogs provide a place for personal reflection and communication with friends and family. They aren't writing exclusively for other quilters or the quiltart list.
I'm thoroughly enjoying this experience, but agree that it is certainly not for everyone. I love reading the blogs of members of the Artful Quilters Ring and seeing the work that others, of all skill and talent levels, are doing. It has been fun to go down the list a few a day to see what is going on in the lives of so many disparate women with a common love of fiber. There are obviously some blogs I visit more often - sometimes leaving comments, sometimes not. I'm new to both the quilting world and to blogging and have a lot to learn; the blogs are both educational and entertaining.
The quiltart list has also been educational and entertaining, but often confrontational about things that are really just personal choices, beliefs, or opinions. Each serves a purpose, and I see no reason to have to choose. The blogs, for me, are remarkably inspirational because I'm a visual person and because I enjoy seeing things in progress. They can be time consuming, but I've found myself more active, not less.
Also, for most members of the Artful Quilters Web Ring, the blogs provide a place for personal reflection and communication with friends and family. They aren't writing exclusively for other quilters or the quiltart list.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
I just re-did my settings in hopes that I will again be notified when someone comments and chose the date and time option so I can tell when the comment was made (even if I don't receive notification. )
At the park yesterday, I returned The Kite Runner to Nina and gave her the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime, which I hope she'll enjoy since she has worked with autistic children. Beth brought The Shadow Divers for me to read (nonfiction about scuba divers who discovered the wreckage of a WWII German U-boat off the coast of New Jersey) and also shared information about DNA profiles in geneology. Thomas commented to the effect that our group has expanded from Tai Chi in the park to Book Swap.
I finished The Fool's Tale by Nicole Galland and am now ready for The Shadow Divers; then the rest of my library books.
Fee had to go to south Louisiana yesterday and decided that he was too close to Baton Rouge to pass up the opportunity to visit with our lovely grandchild.
Have been working on my little quilt sandwiches today, but also setting timer to remind me to move on to other -less pleasant - activities. All that overrated cleaning stuff, to which I allocate as little time as possible.
At the park yesterday, I returned The Kite Runner to Nina and gave her the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime, which I hope she'll enjoy since she has worked with autistic children. Beth brought The Shadow Divers for me to read (nonfiction about scuba divers who discovered the wreckage of a WWII German U-boat off the coast of New Jersey) and also shared information about DNA profiles in geneology. Thomas commented to the effect that our group has expanded from Tai Chi in the park to Book Swap.
I finished The Fool's Tale by Nicole Galland and am now ready for The Shadow Divers; then the rest of my library books.
Fee had to go to south Louisiana yesterday and decided that he was too close to Baton Rouge to pass up the opportunity to visit with our lovely grandchild.
Have been working on my little quilt sandwiches today, but also setting timer to remind me to move on to other -less pleasant - activities. All that overrated cleaning stuff, to which I allocate as little time as possible.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Accomplishments
I was a little out of sorts yesterday; a vague, general miasma seemed to envelope everything. Tried to keep busy as a means of battling the feeling: did laundry (including all bed linens, including comforter and duvet - and reassembling the darn thing), vacuumed, mopped, made 4 postcard sandwiches from scraps, finished crocheting a hat, started 2 new books (one of which I'm enjoying), mowed the yard (wrestling with the mower which has its own temperamental problem at the moment), fried eggplant (and decided NEVER to fry again).
I did finish The Kite Runner on Saturday, and I was wholly satisfied. A marvelous book.
I did finish The Kite Runner on Saturday, and I was wholly satisfied. A marvelous book.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Clearer?
Better? I'm not sure...
Yes, I think this is a bit clearer. Unfortunately, most of my pictures in Orlando were ruined because the knob was inadvertently turned from "automatic" to who knows what and not even Picasa2 could fix all of the problems. OTH, my photography skills are not the best in any circumstance.
Catching Up
Good recent reads: Elizabeth and After by Mark Cohen, the curious incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Hadden, and currently, The Kite Runner by Khale Hosseini. Nina brought this to the park the other day, and she loved it. The writing is terrific, the story completely involving, the view of life in Afghanistan (before the Russians, during the Russian occupation, and during the Taliban) fascinating. I could have finished last night, but the tension was too much and the moment of catharsis too immediate. Maybe tonight I'll finish, but I'm not yet ready to take on the resolution. Maybe others who have read this novel, can recognize the scene of greatest tension close to the end, but I don't want to post any clues to the scene in case someone reading this post has not read the novel.
I'm still playing with scraps from the discharged fabric I worked on a couple of weeks ago. Don't want to work on the other tops I've completed. And still trying to come up with something for the Quiltswap, but so far none of what I've done is what I want to use. Then, of course, when the right thing finally does happen, must remember not to post it on the blog, but instead send it to Karylee. I just hope I recognize "it" in time.
I'm still playing with scraps from the discharged fabric I worked on a couple of weeks ago. Don't want to work on the other tops I've completed. And still trying to come up with something for the Quiltswap, but so far none of what I've done is what I want to use. Then, of course, when the right thing finally does happen, must remember not to post it on the blog, but instead send it to Karylee. I just hope I recognize "it" in time.
Friday, July 08, 2005
More problems
Now Hello/Picassa say I'm not authorized to access this blog. What weird things keep going on here?
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Orlando tournament
Whew! I'm back on and can post something besides pictures.
The tournament really was a great experience and a chance to see some of the people we've met in Dallas at Tai Chi Legacy and in New Orleans. There were judges, special guests, and contestants from San Francisco, Ohio, Connecticut, New York, several Florida schools, Massachusetts, Mainland China, Taiwan, etc.
Met Jan and Carmen when we saw Jan practicing and after admiring for awhile, Fee suggested we go down and meet him. We spoke to Carmen while we watched, and she told us he had a school in New York: Tai Chi Chuan for Living. They were both so nice, and I hope we have the opportunity to see them again at other tournaments. Jan took first place in Wu Style men and his son, Jan, Jr., took second place. http://www.taichichuanforliving.com/biography.html
Just visited his web site; no wonder, we were so enthralled as we watched from the balcony!
Talked to Carmen again on Sunday, and discovered that her three boys are also very talented. Devin (almost 16?) has a job waiting for him when he returns to New York ... designing for Baby Phat ( http://www.babyphat.com/girls.php?category=girlz_716 ) !!! Now that is impressive. And I have an autographed sketch, which I'll post when I get the scanner hooked back up. So Devin, when you are rich and famous, I'll have a framed copy of one of your priceless early sketches.
Siu-Fong Evans was the head judge in the Wu ring, and she performed a fan routine at the Masters Demo. She was absolutely enchanting! Such a vivacious performance -- lovely, graceful, and charming. http://www.sdtaichi.com/floridatournament05.html
There was so much more, seeing everything was just impossible. Visited with Pamela, whom I met at N.O. Tournament, and Bruce who was at Master Lee's seminar earlier this year. Practiced push hands with Lori (Glen set this up, and I'm grateful). Nina is always talking about Lori's push hands, and she is right. Maybe she will be at Tai Chi Legacy at the end of the month.
Ok, long post. Just one more thing, Glen's Baqua routine and Mike Rowe's routine (at the Masters Demo) were excellent, as always.
The tournament really was a great experience and a chance to see some of the people we've met in Dallas at Tai Chi Legacy and in New Orleans. There were judges, special guests, and contestants from San Francisco, Ohio, Connecticut, New York, several Florida schools, Massachusetts, Mainland China, Taiwan, etc.
Met Jan and Carmen when we saw Jan practicing and after admiring for awhile, Fee suggested we go down and meet him. We spoke to Carmen while we watched, and she told us he had a school in New York: Tai Chi Chuan for Living. They were both so nice, and I hope we have the opportunity to see them again at other tournaments. Jan took first place in Wu Style men and his son, Jan, Jr., took second place. http://www.taichichuanforliving.com/biography.html
Just visited his web site; no wonder, we were so enthralled as we watched from the balcony!
Talked to Carmen again on Sunday, and discovered that her three boys are also very talented. Devin (almost 16?) has a job waiting for him when he returns to New York ... designing for Baby Phat ( http://www.babyphat.com/girls.php?category=girlz_716 ) !!! Now that is impressive. And I have an autographed sketch, which I'll post when I get the scanner hooked back up. So Devin, when you are rich and famous, I'll have a framed copy of one of your priceless early sketches.
Siu-Fong Evans was the head judge in the Wu ring, and she performed a fan routine at the Masters Demo. She was absolutely enchanting! Such a vivacious performance -- lovely, graceful, and charming. http://www.sdtaichi.com/floridatournament05.html
There was so much more, seeing everything was just impossible. Visited with Pamela, whom I met at N.O. Tournament, and Bruce who was at Master Lee's seminar earlier this year. Practiced push hands with Lori (Glen set this up, and I'm grateful). Nina is always talking about Lori's push hands, and she is right. Maybe she will be at Tai Chi Legacy at the end of the month.
Ok, long post. Just one more thing, Glen's Baqua routine and Mike Rowe's routine (at the Masters Demo) were excellent, as always.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Monday, July 04, 2005
Tournament
It was an excellent trip, but we are both exhausted. The Gaylord Palms was a great place to stay- two pools, several restaurants, beautiful landscaping inside and out. The food was great, especially at the Villa de Fiora. The tournament was exciting, fun, inspiring. Met some wonderful new people, saw some familiar faces, and visited with some friends from past tournaments, seminars, etc.
Will write more tomorrow and fill in some details.
Will write more tomorrow and fill in some details.
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