tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89050038797898761772012-02-17T19:16:11.578-05:00Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.comBlogger5701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-90345488481763203282012-02-15T13:33:00.005-05:002012-02-15T13:55:08.198-05:00

More embroidery on paper looms in my future, I suddenly realize, when I innocently looked over an abaca fiber wall piece that now I think could use a whole new way of seeing things. These things just fall on you, I guess. That would be on paper, not on paper looms, in case that syntax baffled you back there.Meanwhile, to stave that one off until I have time to think about it a bit, at least to

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-60309824491929202182012-02-14T13:14:00.003-05:002012-02-14T13:17:04.399-05:00

I had already used this quite a bit, so I finished the big silk panel, now all three parts joined into one, and showed some detail showing this stitch, hereEvery time I make a link, I thank Mary Anne!! Just to confuse the issue totally, regularly reading and sometimes commenting on this blog are a MaryAnn, a Mary Anne, a Marrianne, a Marian, and maybe more I haven't included here. Just pick

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-63378616875052701862012-02-14T00:00:00.000-05:002012-02-13T23:08:27.188-05:00

The Dollivers plunged into the crate of freecycled fabric and decided they all wanted a dress that looked like candy, so they got their wish. Different styles, of course, never do to look too much alike. And Elton, who has now got into the swing of things, put in a work order for a new brocade hatband and cloak, and took custody of the glass hearts I received as part of a lovely Vday gift,which

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-82695888037083498472012-02-13T14:29:00.004-05:002012-02-13T14:45:48.412-05:00

Back at the ranch, technological challenges abound. My old cellphone was clearly reaching the end of her days, having served me well for several years beyond the expected lifetime, and since Handsome Son had upgraded his to something quite posh, he offered me his old one which was still considerably more posh than my little old pioneering steam driven one. You're supposed to be able to transfer

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-67738295347488821472012-02-10T12:26:00.004-05:002012-02-10T12:35:40.244-05:00

After the monotype demo, I brought home the pieces I'd created just to show some techniques, and made them into miniature artist books. These are very simple to make: each is a folded sheet,starts out about 8 x 5, with a single cut,then, rearranged and organized and stitched in my favorite pamphlet stitch, makes a nice little artist book. Just a fun thing to do that didn't tax the brain!

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-69249605174788568762012-02-09T12:37:00.003-05:002012-02-09T12:41:37.140-05:00

Not original with me, but adapted from an ancient zen master saying, and reflecting the dazzling display of one and a bit snowdrops on the patio this morning!Been stitching again, after making quite a few little artist books out of my monotype samples, well that involved stitching, too, but a more serious work has been under way, and if you're interested in exploring and listening to me droning

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-18225458707482664462012-02-06T21:28:00.005-05:002012-02-06T21:45:47.075-05:00

Tonight I ran a workshop on monotype making for the local artists' association, and put up a little gallery exhibit of my own work over the years in monotype, just to show the various ways you can do this. Our time was limited, so we stuck to black and white, on copy paper, but there was some wonderful artwork, either despite or because of the limitations. It was great fun, since everyone was

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-17648494828752602982012-02-04T18:22:00.007-05:002012-02-04T18:47:47.513-05:00

I am not one of your cutting edge tech types. This is my third computer in over 20 years. And I'm on my third cellphone, largely owing to the first two's having been in expensive contracts which didn't stop them from dying on me...then the pay as you go tracfone came into my orbit and I seized on it. I'm not a big phone user, largely because, as anyone else with a hearing disability will know,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-65462675849528448472012-02-03T14:30:00.005-05:002012-02-03T14:36:59.005-05:00

Dropping off large sacks of fabric and other useful nice stuff at the thrift store, I looked across at the next parking lot and saw a happy sight: dogs greeting each other while their people greeted each other. While the humans were shaking hands and hugging, the dogs were wrestling and doing the canine equivalent. Then they greeted the humans, very politely.

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-22962807281570049262012-02-01T18:31:00.005-05:002012-02-01T18:53:49.709-05:00

More tax requirements today -- a late breaking document showed up, way late for filing, but oh well, it just arrived in the mail, no excuse for the investment house which did it late, actually they were so sloppy over the years I pulled out my tiny account from them last year in annoyance, and forgot I'd done it. Particularly since they failed to send me quarterly returns showing it. But now

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-73480373501659114312012-01-31T15:01:00.008-05:002012-01-31T15:22:20.906-05:00

If you'd like to see the latest embroidering adventure, go hereMeanwhile, back in the studio, I ran a few sample monotypes ready to demo this artform next week to a group of local artists. It seemed like a good idea to unearth the equipment, make sure I have enough tools to go around, this seems to be a popular group, and find out if my blockprinting inks are still alive. All seems to be well,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-11638936508496024572012-01-30T12:34:00.008-05:002012-01-30T12:57:07.454-05:00

Bennett the GrandDog is home again, visited with his owner this morning to make his bread and butter thank yous, and I can work again. I'm on the polyester gauze piece, seeing interesting new problems and challenges and all that, and I really like using embroidery as a raw material for the artwork rather than an end in itself. If you're interested, not wanting to inflict it on readers for whom

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-52392410513081639582012-01-28T18:07:00.006-05:002012-01-28T18:35:01.579-05:00

Rav readers,no,this is not Bob, this is Bennett, my next door neighbor I'm keeping an eye on while his owner is away for a couple of days on family business.Hyperactive barely does Bennett justice. The nicest guy in the world,but everything is not only a toy with endless possibilities of chase and capture, but his world proceeds at warp speed. It's like having a visiting firecracker in the house

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-41377893677333422042012-01-28T13:52:00.004-05:002012-01-28T14:06:53.841-05:00

My friend Girija invited me over to see a couple of artworks in fruit she made for a special event, before the guests devoured them! a true artist, she said, oh, it's easy, while I was admiring the strawberries carved into roses, and the apple turned into a swan and all the other food marvels. A tree executed in fruita landscape of fruitArt at its best: beautiful, interesting and ephemeral.

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-89382639316158712482012-01-26T15:58:00.003-05:002012-01-26T16:00:48.268-05:00

For my take on the current stitch challenge, which was a puzzling as it was fun, gohere

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-82617453830872037142012-01-26T13:10:00.004-05:002012-01-26T13:34:21.974-05:00

To let Boud get on with her embroidery, the Ds gallantly offered to do the taxes for her this year. State and Federal, both for her and for HP, very emotionally difficult for her, so they stepped in, and armed with pens and pencils, studied the forms and books and schedules and came up with a new category: Schedule THFD, Too Hard For Dollivers. And could they do the production line sweatshop

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-27907784631429510232012-01-23T11:34:00.005-05:002012-01-23T11:42:52.414-05:00

Boud's tigers, in honor of her being born in a year of the Tiger, greet you all from the shelter of their flower bower! to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. The amaryllis now renamed Tiger Lily in their honor. If you have ever entered into an argument with two tigers you will know why they won.eepy usually steps up to render the official Chinese greeting for the New Year, so if you're reading,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-24489117315040766102012-01-21T12:26:00.003-05:002012-01-21T12:36:10.287-05:00

I think I've discovered a new species. This amaryllis has been officially growing for over two months now, was originally planned as part of the Christmas decor, and finally, after all this time and foofling around, waited for a snowstorm before bursting out this morning to greet it.I think she may have an identity crisis going, you know, a white flower opening up despite snow, but I haven't the

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-37690414674574122302012-01-20T16:39:00.004-05:002012-01-20T17:04:37.194-05:00

So Team Dolliver had observed Boud doing her weight training and other puzzling moves, and thought if she could do it, decrepit old crone, surely lithe young athletic Ds. could, too, and look very cute in their gym outfits, too. And this is an Olympic year, so it's not too soon to get in training if they are to be on the US women's weights team this year.After a loud discussion about uniforms

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-21708196585026062072012-01-19T09:30:00.003-05:002012-01-19T09:33:17.298-05:00

If you're interested in my very casual take on this week's stitch, you might want to check in here . If not, scroll on by, it's fine!

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-44216807426872750062012-01-16T16:02:00.009-05:002012-01-16T16:21:04.417-05:00

So today, very cold, but very bright, perfect for skating, if you're a gooseand flying away when you're finished your Yamaguchi routine. Also perfect for spotting natural leaf formations which then translated back in the studio, this afternoon, into these dyed pieces the more muted one a polyester gauze, two views.the brighter one being silk (thank you, MC and E!) which takes up the dye very well

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-40355608385718012212012-01-15T11:43:00.003-05:002012-01-15T12:01:22.048-05:00

Yesterday was of those days when the mail brings a stark reminder of the bad times in my recent past, with the official Medicare accounting of the hospice care for HP, which was substantial, but all covered, thanks to blessed Lyndon Johnson, who forced Medicare legislation through congress in the 60s, nonetheless three pages of terrible reminders. And the envelope, ah, lovely bureaucrats,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-73016370019696754282012-01-14T13:18:00.002-05:002012-01-14T13:21:21.408-05:00

If you're interested in following the progress of my embroidery incorporating Pin Tangle's Take a Stitch Tuesday, TAST, challenge, go here.If not that's fine, too!

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-19981947976549434262012-01-13T12:39:00.004-05:002012-01-13T12:48:30.368-05:00

In among all the other adventures lately, I made a pair of cashmere socks, lovely and warm, from harvested yarn. One sweater has so far yielded two scarves and one pair of socks, and there are still a few little balls of it to go. This is yet another pair of toe up. I really like this pattern, and I have almost enough socks in it.Then a sign of spring on the patio: snowdrop stems coming up

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-43856232293366392692012-01-12T13:06:00.004-05:002012-01-12T13:27:54.427-05:00

Alternate title: why I love this neighborhood, real and virtual.The real one: I stepped out of the front door to pick up my mail and there, on the bench outside, is a teddybear playing the piano. Shades and everything. No note, no explanation. This is how I know it's my neighbor friend who is organizing his house by bringing stuff to me to freecycle and thrift! So I brought him in to check the

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-68722540760412773862012-01-11T16:44:00.005-05:002012-01-11T17:09:51.214-05:00

After I showed our art journals to the artists the other day, one of them being the Nautilus journal, with the nautilus symbol on the cover, they asked about the significance. I explained that the nautilus, once she has outgrown her current shell segment, moves to the next bigger one, and seals the old door behind her. It's outgrown, she's moved on. It's a wonderful metaphor for life decisions

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-1142644734263361592012-01-09T17:03:00.002-05:002012-01-09T17:19:34.507-05:00

So in the course of human events we all sooner or later have to attend to contents of the linen closet before it falls on us and we become history. So after an afternoon of heaving sheets and blankets and pillow cases and what the heck was this for out of the closet, to sort into sizes, I realized this wasn't just a closet. It was domestic history. This is a way of studying your life and times

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-71767417767544502102012-01-08T10:00:00.000-05:002012-01-08T10:00:04.426-05:00

If you're interested in a few design ideas suggested by today's wilderness walk, go here

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-27930544490414753962012-01-07T12:27:00.009-05:002012-01-07T12:52:28.083-05:00

The mixed media embroidery continues. Now, in addition to working the three silk panels, I've added in another painted piece which appeals to me because it happened almost by accident when I was dyeing silk pieces a while ago. The drips fell into interesting formations, well, they would, it's a law of physics as well as art, and the piece has been waiting patiently till I fathomed its next step

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-6135233967323315382012-01-05T13:05:00.008-05:002012-01-05T16:34:24.984-05:00

Remember the traveling art journals we did a while back? when all the participants did great stuff, drawing, painting, writing, ATCs, mixed media, poetry, stamping, you name it? my local artists' group asked me to make a presentation on art journals last night, particularly traveling ones, and I took our joint works in as exhibits A and B! and a lot of raw materials from other artist books yet

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-36648891076350629932012-01-04T11:07:00.005-05:002012-01-04T11:17:28.664-05:00

One of the best Christmas greetings ever arrived, and the Little Dolls and the Tiny who qualified with the official green outfits, won the lottery to pose with it. This card, don't squint to read it unless you read Irish! is a lovely Christmas wish, the card from a specialized collection, in Irish. The big deal to me, too, is that it came from the granddaughter of the Irish nationalist

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-45281267367431403602012-01-01T16:34:00.006-05:002012-01-01T17:03:25.382-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! and I hope the day is going well for you. We have lovely mild weather, and what with a long walk in the sunshine and far too much shortbread and eggnog and other sugary stuff, I spent a peaceful afternoon officially reading, actually sleeping, on the sofa.The New Look that I'm not talking about was the Dior fashion creation in about 1947, with small waists, huge skirts

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-17227572744557976152011-12-31T09:08:00.005-05:002011-12-31T11:13:24.726-05:00

Before we'd got used to writing 2011 here it almost isn't any more. Some readers have already seen in the New Year, some are close to it, and here in the eastern US it's morning and I'm planning on getting around to cooking a nice New Year's welcome lunch for HS. Mixed seafood chowder, with lovely garlic bread, then shortbread, German fruitcake, cheddar cheese, eggnog, possibly California white

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-14283613517952712692011-12-30T16:22:00.004-05:002011-12-30T16:49:42.373-05:00

Out walking today, feeling better and better now that Christmas is receding into history, and we did okay, and even enjoyed it, more than just getting through it. And I scored a wonderful freecycle receiving thing of clothes, some of which I passed on again in my turn, beautiful stuff but for a much younger wearer. I now have three pairs of dress pants, black, navyblue and brown, all of which fit

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-22041495711459904962011-12-28T16:30:00.005-05:002011-12-28T16:53:58.641-05:00

So what with one thing and another, I've been thinking a bit more longterm, things like is this place right for me, do I have too much house, leading to,well, the first thing to do is to continue organizing and clearing, including taking the parts of my lovely custom made platform bed down from the third floor studio to the second floor bedroom. Big decisions like housing are a bit further down

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-62762129521273087132011-12-27T14:58:00.005-05:002011-12-27T15:22:56.446-05:00

I've scored a couple of Penelope Livelys from the used bookstore, the usual layered many sided narrative, wonderful sweep which simply picks up you and bears you forward. The Photograph is the latest, about the accidental discovery by a man in search of paperwork in his house, of a photograph of his late wife indicating that she may not have been as faithful as he assumed. That's the first shot

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-83229878739478108732011-12-24T14:36:00.004-05:002011-12-24T14:49:42.155-05:00

My modest Christmas prep complete, I was free to wander about the neighboring historic village, complete with historic markers and gravestones and preRevolutionary spots and all. Beautiful sunny cold day, much better in my book than snow...So I thought you'd enjoy a Christmas bouquet of pictures. These same places are a riot of lights at night but you know how that is: your pictures come out

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-89384803044191461252011-12-23T14:18:00.004-05:002011-12-23T14:41:56.378-05:00

It's time, among all the maelstrom of Solstice, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, for Festivus, the Festival for the Rest of Us, immortalized by George's father, on Seinfeld.So the local population decided they could get behind today's Recital of the Grievances. You have to hold the Festivus Pole while you do this, it's like a talking stick. And it was useful in beating back the crowds in the

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-50293347647382321262011-12-21T21:53:00.004-05:002011-12-21T22:03:21.187-05:00

After a lot of tedious pressure exerted by us, Boud finally got off the dime and made us our Solstice Dresses. All different. And golden bouquets. And hats. And we chose the picture we liked best after a lengthy photo opp. which Boud did not appreciate at all. Just because Marigold the cat kept on wanting to help with our hats. We think Boud's planning to flounce away any time now.Anyway,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-59837826528927011572011-12-20T12:30:00.008-05:002011-12-20T12:46:01.439-05:00

Dolliver BetteDavis won the scuffle to present the greetings for the first day of Hanukkah to blogistas who celebrate it. Some of you are in the time zone where it's already begun, some not, so this is an average posting time.No dreidels around these days, though we were first introduced to them with HS came home from school with a little blue top thing which I didn't recognize, and I made sure

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-40990481492733386042011-12-18T14:35:00.005-05:002011-12-18T14:44:53.887-05:00

This is a freezing cold bright day, the kind where you want to go out walking, but also think it would be good to have feathers. Anyone who has handled a bird knows how startlingly warm they are, in fact pet cockatoos who want to cuddle around your neck all the time can be too warm for comfort. Even a little parakeet is a warm passenger.But big outdoor birds, I guess, are even better insulated,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-71402433722239371082011-12-17T11:48:00.003-05:002011-12-17T12:01:23.345-05:00

Several items converged to trigger a frenzy of embroidery among the Dollivers this week. They discovered that there is a town of Dolliver in Iowa, and instantly needed to distance themselves from the notion that they might be country girls from Iowa, when everyone knows they are collateral members of the Royal family of England.As they point out, their original notion was Clare Garland's book

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-84568671832004329052011-12-16T12:25:00.003-05:002011-12-16T12:35:15.557-05:00

Yesterday was undoubtedly one of the best natal days I've had in years and years. I think there was a pent-up need among friends to do something nice and here was the perfect reason to do it! what with greetings via email, cards, notes, gifts from friends, wonderful sudden lunch invitation to lovely Girija's for lunch, indian foods cooked from scratch and perfectly great, bouquet from sister

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-65684325755593773772011-12-15T09:54:00.002-05:002011-12-15T10:05:07.003-05:00

What do Beethoven, Jane Austen, Gary P., Tarang J., MaryAnn, Anthony and I all have in common? All hellbent Sagittarians, celebrating birthdays around now. I'm in good company as I welcome in my 73rd today.Last evening Handsome Son came over complete with ingredients and tools to cook us both a terrific Birthday Eve dinner, he not being available today, and I provided a small chocolate cake.

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-28015227274092279132011-12-14T16:20:00.004-05:002011-12-14T16:37:19.159-05:00

In all the adventures I've ever undertaken, I've never taken part in a bookclub. Heeding the warnings of various bookclub experts, I looked around, eliminated one whose leader I've known and oh well, for years, and moving right along, another one whose choices were a bit trite, some who met in private homes with no fixed leader, and finally have joined a local libe club. It's yet another

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-43176741113159586892011-12-13T15:04:00.004-05:002011-12-13T15:12:29.839-05:00

Two of the Ds. decided to be the delivery folks when Pete the Penguin set off for his new owner, Barb P. at the libe, with Pete stuffed into their knitted carrying bag. A penguin fan, she had no idea what she was in for when the picture was taken, but did give Pete a great welcome once she'd unwrapped him.The Ds. were admired and played with by the library staff, Barb making Michelle dance with

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-51957082850189122302011-12-12T18:31:00.003-05:002011-12-12T18:36:32.377-05:00

The Dollivers did a bit of Christmas baking, gingerbread, to be exact and posed before the delivery was made to our friends at the libe. We snook it into their staff breakroom while nobody was there, and hope it goes over well. We did keep back a piece or two to make sure it was okay for giving..this was one trip the Animals couldn't be trusted with, since the chance of more than a few crumbs

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-14032566590874873882011-12-10T14:44:00.003-05:002011-12-10T15:01:28.439-05:00

Not to be outdone by all the cast of thousands, the two Gardening Ds took over the Planting of the Annual Amaryllis. A quick trip to the market, pausing only to take part in a canned food drive for the local food bankwith girl scouts singing carols for cans, and we added to their collection of foods after a nice rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas, and Jingle Bells, and home came the

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-50524661621878320332011-12-10T10:41:00.007-05:002011-12-10T10:55:52.311-05:00

So I did my extensive Christmas decorating yesterday, which consists of getting the ceramic creche out, dusting it, and setting it up in the Ds and Tinies and Animals' territory. That's it for decorating. There may be one or two cards sent, very few this year, bear with me, not quite up to much. But this is My Bit, and I'm doing it.Not easy to distribute the Halleluia cards equitably, without

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-55027161481135540832011-12-09T15:46:00.003-05:002011-12-09T15:54:06.710-05:00

In this afternoon's walk, a beautiful redtail hawk, sitting in the tree nearby, watching for her next meal -- look at those claws and her furry legs -- my alltime favorite bird. About a second after I took this picture, she took off with a huge swoop of wings and bore down on some poor little guy in the grass in the distance. These are fearless birds. In the winter they will, when really hungry

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-92113529821132241572011-12-09T08:38:00.002-05:002011-12-09T08:50:43.430-05:00

Since I yanked the tv service back in September, gladly, I use the tv set mainly as a DVD and CD player, and have not missed the awful tv programming, particularly the gloomy miserable PBS news and pontificating pundits.What I do have is a great series of choices of DVD from the library, and have just finished watching a series based on stories of Henry James, Affairs of the Heart. Great

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-15212848168515170312011-12-08T16:30:00.002-05:002011-12-08T16:44:40.188-05:00

A couple of writers I've just found and liked a lot. One is William Deresiewicz, whose A Jane Austen Education is a nonfiction analysis of her novels and how they influenced his own life and maturing. Very appealingly written, very honest about his own shortcomings and how it took him a while to get the point of Austen, in the course of writing his doctoral diss. This is worthwhile reading,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-10845037167771794662011-12-07T15:03:00.012-05:002011-12-07T15:43:58.417-05:00

This is a kind of running commentary on a fiberart piece I'm working on, or maybe it's working on me. It's one of the three silk panels that I dyed and showed you some time ago, using coffee.After seeing them on the wall for a while, I've started to realize the next steps in getting this to be an actual artwork. It's going to be a mix of embroidery, using the natural forms the coffee dye created

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-88499888998979479082011-12-06T11:20:00.002-05:002011-12-06T11:22:36.891-05:00

I ask you, working my tiny fingers to a nub taking care of this place, hanging the little curtains with the help of bluebirds, singing in that voice like a slate pencil on glass. Oh, maybe that's why they're late home..

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-68031294867397165772011-12-04T21:10:00.007-05:002011-12-04T22:00:22.229-05:00

This evening I was invited to a colorful, noisy, joyful Sweet Sixteen celebration of the daughter of a friend, very honored to be included in this otherwise all Indian gathering of friends and family and dance groups -- daughter is not only an A student in high school, but an exhibition dancer -- and to be made very welcome. The family were very good about including me, and I knew another family

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-17066027801409714432011-12-04T12:47:00.004-05:002011-12-04T12:51:40.122-05:00

Blogger seems to be having issues. Many many many attempts to hotlink have resulted in not only no link, but the disappearance of pictures I'd already put up! however, one more try, just to see if this will eventually work.What I was trying to do was send you to my art blog if you're in the mood for more pictures of nature. Let's try this again!Go to hereAnd suddenly it worked. Mine not to

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-6382226286366140302011-12-04T11:25:00.010-05:002011-12-04T12:36:53.759-05:00

Just for a change of pace, a few shots of places to sit in the sun.

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-62523825057816645602011-12-01T17:35:00.006-05:002011-12-01T20:23:06.836-05:00

Fluffy Sheba ignoring the camera, typical facial expressionMore or less posing, not a willing participant in photo shootsLast time Fluffy Sheba came downstairs, a long time ago, Duncan acted like a peace broker between her and Marigold.Our fierce Persian rescue, Fluffy, died quietly at home this afternoon after a couple of days of just sleeping and being confused. She was about 17, not sure,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-4502371231074027462011-12-01T13:06:00.005-05:002011-12-01T13:18:30.133-05:00

Made from part of the yarn I received this week, is this little shoulder purse, destined for a teen who doesn't read in here. Not very visible in the picture is the nifty little lace band in its midst. Purse is knitted, strap is crocheted and runs up one side, across the top and back down the side, so it's unlikely ever to come off.And out on my walk this morning, I saw a natural sculpture,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-26035636699782320842011-11-30T14:25:00.003-05:002011-11-30T14:53:30.567-05:00

First, important stuff, here's a three minute microwaved chocolate cake I tried from a recipe on Ravelry, a knitting site. Yes, I know, unlikely, but there are some good cooks on there. I mean, it's not like getting a recipe out of Plumbing and Pipefitting Journal. Though I did get a great cornbread recipe out of Bird Fancy years ago, definitely good enough for human consumption.Blogista

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-46835479752380948892011-11-29T15:06:00.005-05:002011-11-29T15:14:27.536-05:00

Meet the new feller around here, Pete the Penguin,just temporarily, before he takes off for Christmas loot to a friend. The Dollivers liked him pretty muchand plan a sendoff party like when we did the teddy bears for Haiti way back when.And he insisted on doing his Bogey imitation. Everyone's a hamHere's lookin' at you, kid!But he's actually quite a friendly little guy, and is very glad all his

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-65730728281491306092011-11-28T15:52:00.002-05:002011-11-28T15:53:52.953-05:00

Just sayin.

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-65949849864206135712011-11-26T15:22:00.003-05:002011-11-26T15:52:41.959-05:00

One last thought about the Thanksgiving this year, which was very very good, wonderful atmosphere, very homey, at the buffet place, lots of nationalities represented, big groups, small groups, single people, all looking cheerful and tucking in to an excellent setout, complete with whole turkey to carve at will, standing rare rib roast for meat people, which I'm not, whole baked salmon, and I

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-17150226555689056012011-11-24T08:36:00.003-05:002011-11-24T08:41:52.951-05:00

Before I go out to join HS at the restaurant where we will have our Thanksgiving dinner, I'm just thinking about what I'm thankful for this year.Thankful for the life of HP, and how we all, HS, doctor, nurses, health aides, friends, neighbors, all helped bring it to a quiet and peaceful close.Thankful for the loyalty and friendship of HS who has quietly buoyed us all up all these years.Thankful

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-64413900721738638132011-11-23T13:51:00.008-05:002011-11-23T20:51:42.993-05:00

On the grounds that some of our blogistas are already into Thursday where they live, and a lot of them don't celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow anyway, and under great pressure from the Dollivers and the Little Dolls, not to mention the Animals, wild and tame, and the Tinies, we present our ta-daaah Thanksgiving Wishes Parade for your pleasure and enlightenment.Leading our parade are the animals,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-8146468825735695852011-11-22T10:19:00.003-05:002011-11-22T10:24:39.655-05:00

Thanks to my web guru Mary Anne, I have now unraveled the mystery of the link, which I don't particularly pay much attention to,since I don't like to divide your attention when you went to the trouble of checking in here, by instantly telling you to look elsewhere. But there are times when it's a useful skill, and this is one of them.A couple of people have asked me about the "other" blog, my

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-28179064176497773192011-11-20T13:00:00.004-05:002011-11-20T13:18:10.776-05:00

The Ds., noting the sadness around here, announced that a spot of gardening might be good for everyone, because if Boud's cheerful, there might be new holiday outfits for Ds.So we cut the dead chrysanthemum foliage, now that a killing frost has finished the flowering, and hauled it out to the trees to become ground cover for small animals and eventually compost.And attended to the rescued plants

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-36833609777202508182011-11-18T16:39:00.005-05:002011-11-18T17:06:04.086-05:00

Yesterday was one of those days where you're going along doing pretty well, feeling pretty good, when all of a sudden stuff just sort of falls on you. I had gone along to the local assisted living place, at the invitation of their rec. director, who would like the occasional art event for residents. Just checking out possible volunteer opportunities for my near future. She was lovely and the

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-64198280546125580842011-11-17T15:29:00.004-05:002011-11-17T15:40:32.453-05:00

I've been talking with various people about possible volunteering using my art, ranging from Brownies and Daisies to assisted living residents, and came home all fired up to do stuff for myself, too!Since it's the season of having made a few gifts, it's also the season of needing to wrap them. So I got a bunch of white tissue paper, and played at stamping and stenciling and sponging to decorate

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-51365639561693747182011-11-15T13:24:00.007-05:002011-11-15T13:49:14.057-05:00

Trip to the local community college, my old stamping grounds, where I took almost all my studio art classes many years ago when they had a worldclass faculty, what an opportunity. I caught them at their peak, I hear. This is where I won my first prizes for student artwork, and purchase prizes as a serious artist, and where I've been juried into a number of regional shows over the years,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-60481803517658330332011-11-14T11:45:00.006-05:002011-11-14T12:10:04.850-05:00

A few weeks ago, I was quietly wondering if I'd lost my knitting mojo, and my art mojo, and my general life mojo. and here I sit, just over three months since HP's death, realizing that my energy is returning, likewise the mojo to make stuff other than food.To wit: three pairs of socks in rapid order over the last couple of weeks, and two scarfy things. One pair of socks will be a present, and

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-48891244496440746552011-11-12T12:02:00.006-05:002011-11-12T12:19:56.014-05:00

Just stopping in to say that as of a few moments ago, we hit our 25,000th pageview since they started doing stats on blogspot. There's more in reality, since this blog was in existence several months before blogspot began to record statistics, but who's counting...and coming up on November 22 is the third birthday of Field and Fen! she hasn't done badly for a three year old.The main thank you is

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-70952229258943329102011-11-11T16:26:00.005-05:002011-11-11T16:40:11.736-05:00

The starlings are in full fall mobbing mode this week. A tree full of themand a crowd of them in the sky. A moment after these pictures were taken, there was a mass invasion of the patio by hungry birds rocking the feeder and tearing at the suet, until brave Marigold charged the window and scattered them all.Meanwhile, the other fall activity, tearing up the sidewalks for no apparent reason,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-27234893338831772052011-11-09T14:16:00.006-05:002011-11-09T14:50:14.555-05:00

I was fixing up the memory on my cellphone the other day, removing people no longer an issue -- HP's doctors, nursing service, home health aides, hospice, supplies mfr.,employer, on and on, a lot of people on the modern equivalent of speed dial --and thought, well, this is interesting, it's a biography in parvo. Another change.You can see the signposts of your life by seeing who's in cellphone

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-20738336327797448782011-11-08T13:34:00.008-05:002011-11-08T13:56:18.410-05:00

My friend and supercook, MC, who is divesting her mother's house of many many items now that they've moved to retirement living, presented me with some wonderful things this week.One was dinner at her house, HS and I guests, always an event, in mid afternoon on Sunday. It was like a Thanksgiving type of invitation, wonderful food and company,and how imaginative. This is how she is, no surprise

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-57660218292721728972011-11-05T13:00:00.007-04:002011-11-05T13:25:06.559-04:00

With one of their recipes, to be exact. That stuffed loaf recipe, for which they used red meat and mushrooms, but I used chicken and mushrooms. I hollowed outhalf of a fresh loaf of my homebaked bread(unlike Jennifer, I didn't plunge in and tear it out into rags, but cut so that I have slices which I can use as bread, never ever waste homebaked bread), kept an end slice to use as a lid, and

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-74752447067015951802011-11-04T13:00:00.002-04:002011-11-04T13:05:13.369-04:00

The Ds having chickened out, on the grounds that it would ruin their hair and manicure and anyway they didn't have the outfits, the Minis were appointed to celebrate the opening of the Minis Extreme Adventure Caper.Starting with Extreme Wall Climbing. Sorry, they say Xtreme Wall Climbing.If they recover from this one, they have future plans. Watch this space. And remember always to click on the

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-26969447199571519082011-11-04T09:30:00.005-04:002011-11-04T09:54:50.452-04:00

The toe up socks in action! the color is not the way this camera picks it up, more of a jade green, but very nice all the same, harvested yarn from a massive man's sweater, tons more to go. I'm very smug about having conquered the toe up world and the provo cast on. Next: the New York Marathon. Well, I'll follow it in the newspaper.Food lately has been interesting. I made lasagna for the

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-38055776757105846562011-11-03T13:27:00.007-04:002011-11-03T13:55:44.109-04:00

This is the title of Billy Collins' newest poetry collection. Though I don't love poetry across the board, in fact I'm very picky about it, finding a whole lot of it pretentious and self engrossed to a ghastly extent, I do find a lot of wonderful stuff in Collins.For one thing he understands rhythm and harmony through and through. And rhythm is where the massive value and weight of writing

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-87072182537213446812011-11-01T15:56:00.006-04:002011-11-01T16:14:00.609-04:00

Dollivers assisting with packaging for friends in Calgary. Much dialog here about push it in, it won't GO in, push harder, you yarnarms, it is going out TODAY...and they did eventually manage to get the two little packages into the envelope and they are now on their way northwest to Calgary.After that I took a meditative walk on the Preserve, marveling at the total disappearance of the snow and

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-66977976513413110152011-10-31T14:18:00.005-04:002011-10-31T17:19:50.112-04:00

The storm has officially passed, though a lot of people are still sitting in the dark and cold, fortunately for me I'm not one of them, poor guys. And since there wasn't a quorum to play recorder trios this afternoon, I made use of the suddenly free time to do what every redblooded recorder player does when her group doesn't meet. I switched over into brute force mode, whipped out my Japanese

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-83923056682217912582011-10-30T12:46:00.001-04:002011-10-30T12:48:59.169-04:00

This morning in central NJ

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-28943228957209910812011-10-29T14:27:00.004-04:002011-10-29T14:33:25.580-04:00

Readers, I cannot tell a lie: the big cherry branch, the part that was left after Irene, the nonhurricane, tore off the rest, came down right while I was upstairs on the other side of the house, blogging about the snow on the patio.Here it is, the good news being that nobody was out there when it fell down, that the birdfeeder is not attached to it, and it missed all my flowers.And here's the

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-85186053951250615042011-10-29T13:51:00.004-04:002011-10-29T14:03:55.188-04:00

And then there's 3,532,082,723.Snow in October, in central NJ, not quite unheard of, but the last time we had snow on the flowers and autumn leaves was before HS was born. So I thought it was timely to give you the numbers above. No, they're not the snowflakes now accumulating all over the place here.What they are, thanks to Mittens, are the numbers that relate to our birth order on earth. At

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-26164973370986385222011-10-28T15:52:00.006-04:002011-10-28T16:18:06.533-04:00

Today was the ultrasound day, where I was to find out if there's anything lurking in my thyroid gland, so Dr. Dolliver put on her hat and escorted me to the Medical Arts building. She showed me the ultrasound machine and explained its functions. Note that she doesn't wear a white coat for the first part of the process, not wanting to trigger white coat anxiety in her patient. Once the testing

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-10766464905934306422011-10-27T11:07:00.007-04:002011-10-27T11:20:21.755-04:00

The Ds have decided to become impresarios, presenting various tableaux, which they can't spell so they asked me to write this bit for them, for your viewing pleasure. Here's their maiden effort. Feel free to add captions of your choice.They would also like to point out that these are rescued figures and animals, in keeping with the kindness to planet earth that they are now deeply interested in

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-82606870280002796852011-10-25T09:23:00.008-04:002011-10-25T09:36:07.413-04:00

Here's Sock One, on my old foot, with Marigold pushing in, of course. Score: one sock down, one to go. The second would be further along if I had done the right rib, which is K2P2, but in the excitement of watching an Agatha Christie movie, I did K1P1, sigh, so it's back off the needles again.The pillow in the picture is a log cabin design I did, using variegated yarn found at the local thrift,

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-17870546518851672832011-10-24T09:47:00.004-04:002011-10-24T10:00:42.464-04:00

Musing about knitting corgis, and who doesn't from time to time, I went in search of corgi-colored yarn in the various places I keep yarn hidden away, and found a lovely cashmere sweater I'd thrifted in order to unravel and use it for other things. Nice heathery pale mix, about right for some kind of dog if not a corgi anyway.So I took out the sleeves, realized that what was left would be a nice

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-803953852962678432011-10-23T15:19:00.005-04:002011-10-23T15:41:25.894-04:00

Pictures of trees reflected in water and sky reflected in water, and bridges reflected in water, anything reflected in water, any time of year are as impossible to resist as snow scenes for me.So I did Walk Two at the pond today, and just fell for all these lovely scenes, including the bridge I've pictured in here before. This proves that though you can't step into the same river twice, nor take

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-14403552860483354702011-10-22T16:14:00.006-04:002011-10-22T16:30:46.718-04:00

I like walking meditation, and just got hold of CDs of Julian of Norwich, from the local libe. so it seemed like a good walk on a Fall afternoon, beside the pond, watching fishermen and clouds and reflections, very appropriate for reflecting. Not an early Christian mosaic, just the result of drought followed by floods followed by drying winds.This sort of listening, to an early Christian mystic's

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-22484698370085266672011-10-20T19:24:00.002-04:002011-10-20T19:45:30.632-04:00

This year has wrought a lot of changes, and some of them have been major subtractions from our family's life. I already wrote about how I was going to give Halloween a miss, and HS and I talked about Thanksgiving, well ahead of time, better that way, and what we might like to do this year. The idea of setting a table here for two, with all the cooking and the sadly missing person was just too

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-29154211799194104052011-10-19T13:58:00.003-04:002011-10-19T14:04:04.527-04:00

The Bookshelf Jungle and the pride of lions in close up. I don't know if two constitutes a pride but when a lion tells me she and her feller are too a pride, who am I to dispute the point.

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-32383815297470456082011-10-19T10:39:00.004-04:002011-10-19T10:48:42.578-04:00

October day yesterday, full of color and light and chrysanthemums everywhere. I love the neighbors who make massive use of tiny spaces.And indoors, the dish garden in preparation. The mosses came from right outside the gate, this being a very wet year, no need for much of a search, and they come complete with small wildflowers. The carrot top will make an interesting tree, and there will be

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-76394173002353287792011-10-16T18:20:00.004-04:002011-10-16T18:34:15.179-04:00

I was out walking today in the park, and came up behind an older lady, tiny, about 75 lbs if that, pushing a stroller with one hand and with a Lhasa Apso on a leash on the other. I looked into the stroller, as you do, in passing, and there was nobody in it. Odd, she wasn't looking around for a baby, just attending to the dog. And it was a very small stroller, the kind a little kid pushes her

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-76309779256303246032011-10-15T13:35:00.004-04:002011-10-15T13:55:03.930-04:00

Lately I've been noticing faces which remind me of artworks. Not at first, just that vague "where have I seen that face before" type of perception, followed by a sharp thump to the side of the head, when I realize where I've seen it. A few days ago, at the Recorder Society meeting, I thought the conductor reminded me strongly of medieval art, that long serious face, deep eyes, tall, flowing

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-84080286505381703982011-10-12T15:18:00.008-04:002011-10-12T16:01:30.448-04:00

I was sitting with an afternoon cup of tea today, idly more or less reading a book of essays by Anna Quindlen, and watching the mourning dove sitting peacefully on the cherry tree branch a few feet away from me outside, and suddenly realized that a sense of wholeness is coming back to me.It's partly about a lovely October sky, varying shades of soft grey, a true watercolor, and the start of

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-3185101548077942102011-10-10T11:32:00.004-04:002011-10-10T11:45:46.445-04:00

These little avocado hopes are what Oscar Wilde might have called the triumph of hope over experience, oh no, that was remarriage...oh well, anyway since I just added avocadoes into my menu, I had a couple of pits to do something about.Now, longtime friends and blogistas know I'm a pretty good gardener, the person with all the cuttings and advice to give away, and with surplus plants I stealthily

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-90408722874884488342011-10-07T15:29:00.006-04:002011-10-07T16:09:38.102-04:00

aka sinister spinsters....I now have the other two of my hand spindle family, from Schacht, courtesy of lovely Debby at Twist in New Hope, Bucks Co, Pa, sorry, a bit of a commute for some of our overseas blogistas, but they are so cool. As is Debby, who was patience itself with our telephonic problems -- some gremlin hates to allow calls between her zip code and mine and kept dropping the call

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-27420808812472291132011-10-06T15:54:00.003-04:002011-10-06T16:04:09.458-04:00

I was out and about, strolling and clicking today, perfect golden light, clear, just glad to be alive weather, and after I got home with these art pix, literally art underfoot, what I saw on the ground, I cracked up laughing when I rotated the bumpy one and realized I'd achieved a great optical illusion by moving the shadow, so the viewer now thinks it's a series of depressions. Art being the

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905003879789876177.post-19131306277370762372011-10-05T18:28:00.006-04:002011-10-05T18:33:40.514-04:00

All this talk of the tea party has got the Dollivers interested in politics, or at least in tea parties. So today we got out the best hand hemmed napkins and afternoon tea tablecloth, little vase of flowers for the table, and Call Me Michele put on her lace gloves and everyone put on a hat, and we set up the party. href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-qQfvdJTbQ/TozZEzCviCI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/77o8bOtyKKE/

Boudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00641013916263271948noreply@blogger.com5