A Gardner or A Sailor

I haven't posted a whole lot lately because this job I've taken on as 'Facilitator' of the 'Artists Co-op' has been pretty damn all consuming.

Let's see, what exactly HAVE I been doing?
Writing Contracts
Designing A Logo
Creating Business Cards
Working Hours at the Shop
Organizing Meetings
Writing Agendas
Attending Meetings
Acquiring Licenses
Painting Walls
Tearing down walls - Actually that was my husband (thanks sweetie!)
Cleaning Carpet - (thanks for your help Bill!)
Managing leaks - As in, climbing ladders and placing buckets in the ceiling to keep it from falling in.

And when this is all done:
I create art in what my husband likes to refer to as my 'rubber room.'

Who knows where all this activity is going? I hope towards creating a sustainable artist community... That IS the ultimate goal anyway.

So, some days I feel like the Gardner, carefully nurturing the tiny seed we've planted:Other days, I feel like I'm on the deck of the Titanic, the band is playing and the ship is going down:The highs and the lows have been both amazing and character building. I'm learning a LOT but damn am I tired!

*Where DO I find the time to play with my crappy 'Paint' program? The shop doesn't have an internet connection, pffffttt!

Answer: V-O-L-U-N-T-E-E-R

Question: What is, the word I have emblazoned upon my forehead.

Doesn't everybody just LOVE a Volunteer?

Today I attended a meeting in which I was asked twice to join the board of Tourism. - I wisely declined. "I'm already spread pretty thin." I explained.

Later I had another impromptu meeting in which I was asked to become Director of the Arts & Entertainment District. - Since I'm already doing a lot of what the job entails... Well, "Hello! I'd like you to meet the new Director of Arts & Entertainment."

Next week I have a meeting with Obama. *just kidding*

My Mood In Food

The above photo pretty much sums up where my head is right now.
Because of Halloween?...... Nope!
Because my braces just got tightened?.... Possibly, but No. *damn my mouth hurts*
Because my house is a pig sty?....... Any other time, Maybe.
Because I've got a meeting tomorrow with a group of artists to open a co-op, in a huge shop on Main street, for the holiday season.... Which means there's like a million and one details to consider and a paltry sum of art for me to sell?...... Bingo!

So why am I spending precious time blogging?....... Here's an answer for you, why does a deer freeze in the headlights?

I'm Gonna Make Myself A Hat!

Don't you just love the holidays?

Does the idea of shopping downtown on a quaint little Main street somewhere warm your cockles (cockles?)

How about picturing that Main street filled with holiday charm, each window aglow with sparkling lights and magical holiday goodness?Yeah? Me too! Somehow, because I too cling to this 'vision', you're now reading the ramblings of the Design Committee Chairman for my little home town. The committee, I should add, currently consists of.... wait for it.... wait for it.....

Moi! and.... wait for it........ wait for it.......

That's it! Just Moi!... Me.... Me, Myself and I... And no, that doesn't count as 3 people, it's still just one. ONE, an indivisible number... I am a rock, I am an Iiiii-land.

Today I have sealed my fate as the town idiot...............*pause*
......... You know, I'd like to take a moment here and exclaim that as 'The New Town Idiot', I'm going to make myself a tri-corner paper hat and inscribe on it, with a black sharpie, in a curly serify font, in HUGE CAPITALIZED LETTERS, with a giant arrow pointing straight down... TOWN IDIOT!

Or maybe this one will do:
So, what was I saying? Oh yes, Today I sealed my fate by addressing a gathering of town merchants to implore them to allow ME to 'help' them decorate their shop windows for the holidays... Thereby insuring either my vision of holiday goodness will be fulfilled OR My family will have me donning and cinching up a straight jacket festooned with sparkly, SPARKLY, garland...

I'll keep you posted.

Little Bird & The Savior

Thursday when I picked 'Nature Girl' up from school, she greeted me holding a large bucket with this little guy cowering inside:

She asked if I would mind running across town to the Tri-State Bird Rescue to drop off the little wounded bird. It took a little searching to find this place which is located down a narrow country lane. As we searched for the facility 'Nature Girl' told me what kind of bird this was (a Mourning Dove and a juvenile.) I smiled to myself when we met the director at the front desk and she began to share with us the 'make & model' of our little bird. My daughter had, of course, nailed it. She'd also correctly surmised the bird had been attacked by a hawk.

You can't imagine how thrilled I was when the director began to talk to my daughter about becoming a volunteer. Because when I consider my girl and the things she absolutely loves to do, I simply can't think of a more perfect fit for her than helping to care for injured birds.

Nature Girl will be attending a volunteer introductory program next Thursday evening and then an all day volunteer session in June. She asked about photography but the director explained picture taking might be too traumatic so she didn't think that would work... But you know, it doesn't always have to be about the picture taking.

However, here are a few more beautiful macro pics to show you she'll always take her photography seriously.