You don't need a penny just to hang around...

Yesterday's entry in my sketchbook.

My dad taught me to love and take care of the world around me.
He once did minor surgery on a morning dove that hurt her wing. My dad was the world to me.

He taught me about plants and grew all sorts of things in the backyard underneath the grapefruit tree. I always loved exploring and following him around outside, checking out all of his experiments.

Yesterday the baby cardinals hatched and today I realized how perfectly fitting, on my dad's birthday. He told me every time I saw a cardinal I could make 3 wishes. He never told my two older sisters that. I'm lucky to have had so much time with him.

With The Wind In Your Hair Of A Thousand Laces...

It's Getting To Know You Wednesday. I had a great time doing this and thanks Melba for providing me the opportunity!
This final week is a bit of a tribute to Marcel Proust. He really made these questionnaires
popular and I thought it would be fun. You can read about the Proust questions/history here.

The Infamous Proust Questionnaire
* Your most marked characteristic?
extraordinarily nice
* The quality you most like in a man?
sense of humor
* The quality you most like in a woman?
camaraderie
* What do you most value in your friends?
loyalty
* What is your principle defect?
procrastination
* What is your favorite occupation?
artist
* What is your dream of happiness?
I'm still searching for the perfect answer
* What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes?
Never marrying my husband and having our son
* What would you like to be?
successful
* In what country would you like to live?
France
* What is your favorite color?
My most favorite is cerulean blue.
* What is your favorite flower?
Tulips and exotics
* What is your favorite bird?
I love birds. I love cardinals and morning doves especially.
* Who are your favorite prose writers?
Jack Kerouac and Longfellow
* Who are your favorite poets?
Cummings
* Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Joe Harman, from A Town Like Alice
* Who are your favorite heroines of fiction?
Mary Yellan from Jamaica Inn
* Who are your favorite composers?
Mozart, Chopin
* Who are your favorite painters?
Motherwell
* Who are your heroes in real life?
The people who really do what they love
* Who are your favorite heroines of history?
Joan of Arc, Martha Washington
* What are your favorite names?
Simone, Gustav
* What is it you most dislike?
People deciding to do the wrong thing
* What historical figures do you most despise?
Too many to list, again poor decision makers
* What event in military history do you most admire?
Paul Revere's ride-shouting "The British are coming!"
* What reform do you most admire?
Ending child labor
* What natural gift would you most like to possess?
lot's of self confidence
* How would you like to die?
?
* What is your present state of mind?
My brain hurts from answering these questions
* To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
My craving for dark chocolate
* What is your motto?
Live and let live


I was going to try to answer these in song lyrics but realised it would have made my brain explode.

Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea...

The sweet little cardinal egg painting.

I have another painting I did yesterday, but I have to re-take the photo because it's blurry.

*The Babies have hatched, the babies have hatched!!! Daddy cardinal was flying around like a spaz and I thought wtf? And then I knew...he's acting like all dads do when the babes are born. He was so happy and making sure no one was messing with his kids while mom was taking a well earned break. God bless those dear birds.

we started living in an old house

So I couldn't go to Miranda July because my throat was killing me and I had 2 hours of sleep the night before. I couldn't do it. I arranged for a babysitter and everything was planned. This broke my heart and had me depressed. I cried and cried. And the same day, not joking, I got bit by a spider about 10 times. Lovely right.

But I'm better now, though still sad about missing MJ with Acumamakiki.

On a lighter note-
Here are some things I found around in our yard. My son has a very funny sense of humor. This had me laughing. The Wishbone toy was our dog's when she was a puppy. My son is amazed that our pets used to play with toys. Now the animals are both older and not into the toys. Siddhartha just turned 10.



Today to kick off the first day of summer (unofficial and all) I made blueberry shortcake and strawberry daiquiris. They are both a hit.

I have my cardinal painting finished but I have to scan it or take a pic of it. I think it turned out well. The real babies haven't hatched yet.Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Been across the ocean to the south sea isles...

Hello again and if it's Wednesday, it must be "Getting to Know You Day" with me over at Create a Connection.

My question for this week:

If you could have a redo moment in your life, would you do it and what would it be? Not changing history drastically-it's all just a what if.

For example-would you have waited to get married later. Would you have had your children at an earlier age. Not have dated that strange girl/guy back in 11th grade.

My redo moment would be changing the college I went to. I went to University of Florida and really the only reason I went is because one of my good friends from high school happened to go and I was going to have to pay my own tuition. it was the only school I sent an application to. Oh and I waited a year. I don't think I would have done that either. I liked it at UF, but I would have tried to get into Pratt or Rhode Island school if I had really thought about it. My parents weren't exactly driving forces to help me in way. They would have been fine if I had stayed home and never went to school.

As the sun burns the ground And my eyes fill with sand...

There are many things in life to be thankful for...

Happy mail from Vedrana!!
Yes I'm a big nerd and love stamps.
(Stamp collection-ha ha)
I was super excited to get this package.

Check out the polka dot box and special handmade paper.

It was like Christmas over here. A lovely letter, sweet smelling candles, a very cool tee that describes historical sites in Zagreb, Croatia where Vedrana lives. Go to her blog and you'll see photos of her city, it's really amazing. You'll get the travel bug.
A beautiful flower book that brings inspiration to me instantly.

I love the figure she drew and these punch out cupids are dear.
Thank you Vedrana!!


And let it be known I am not a typical girl-I know you all know that already but just to make sure...
I don't collect shoes, I have this terrible affliction for chairs. (I wish I liked shoes, it would take up less room.)

We were driving along, and J spotted this pile of furniture on the side of the road. He backed up and I jumped out and this is what I brought home. I just love it. It's heavy as a mother and it's currently out back airing. It needs some care but will be in the house soon.

AND
we have been blessed to have a mama and daddy cardinal make a nest in the climbing roses off our front porch.

I am working on a painting but the eggs are so pretty. All creamy with little brown freckles. I can't wait for the babies.

Finally-
Here is a collection of paintings on etsy. Kind of a good perspective on size.

Since we had reason left to smile...

I am supporting Ninotchka over at Create a connection. What's something that's useful in your home that you have come to really love?


I love this table. This was my parents dining room table. It's not a real Wakefield Table, just a good imitation. It's still made better than some of today's stuff. It's really krunked up on the top, it's in dire need of some refinishing, but I still love it. The really funny thing is that we have been using it as a computer table upstairs. We have been eating at this tiny little IKEA cafe table that was going to be temporary. Temporary for 4 years.

So yesterday of all days(during this huge thuderstorm), I got sick of everything, and the adrenaline kicked in and I moved this table down the stairs. Truthfully I thought I was going to get it stuck on the stairs. I'm still very proud of myself. I tend to reaarange furniture on a whim.

The table looks nice in my favorite part of the house-the back sliding doors looking outdoors. At dusk we've been watching the bats come out. It's fun.

Always something happening and nothing going on...

Here's my question over at Create a Connection this week.

"If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you be? You'd be able to do what you love and make money. Your spouse, children, significant other, pets-all would be able to come with you."

I think I would do very nicely in the south of France. I know I would get all sentimental and teary on the 4th of July, but I see myself living in another country and living the life of an expatriate. I'd be a woman who opens a bar and plays nothing but Howlin' Wolf, Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters on the jukebox.

peace and love y'all

And here's another installment of Helmut paintergirl style.

I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes...

The lovely Acumamakiki played along with my interview and you can find her responses here.

Irene is my new guest at Paintergirl asks. I just love her Polaroids to bits.

And my Etsy is up. Be warned I will be putting a ton of things up because of the move, so please please take a look. I have ideas for new paintings but I have to start selling. I really am the girl who has a ton of art.

Take..a.. long.. holiday...

It has been glaringly bright here. Hello summer! It's getting to the point where the sun feels like it searing my skin. I have been taking some pictures around the house and town because I'm feeling a little nostalgic.

Too much writing on my part bores even myself, so it's photos for you guys.

These are brought to you by Mr. Sunshine!




And this little number I spotted down the road at a garage. Isn't it the sweetest? The owner of the garage bought it an an estate sale and it was in pieces. It's a 63 Studebaker. I heart this car. The other car I would have looked really nice driving was a cherry red 62 corvair. It was nice. But it's gone now.

you should be dancing...yeah...

As host of "Getting to Know You" over at Create a Connection-this is my question for this week. (I am just Q & A girl)

If someone from your local community college approached you about teaching a class, would you do it? What subject? Would there be field trips? What books would be required reading? Any guest lecturers?

As much as I love painting and drawing, I don't think I would teach a class about it. (Well not at this very second)
I would teach a film class. The class would be Modern Film and Music. (I should think of a catchier title.)

I could have entire syllabus worked up for this, it's how much I love this topic.

The basic overall theme of the class would be about how music plays an important part in films, as much as cinematography. It can make a good film great or have some disastrous results.

We'd watch Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, Michel Gondry.

Some topics-

Does using current popular music date films?

Is it hard to watch Midnight Cowboy or Saturday Night Fever because of the soundtrack?

Do you think Coppola's use of 80's and current music in Marie Antoinette helps or hurts the film?

How does classical music affect a futuristic modern film? A Clockwork Orange, and 2001 Space Odyssey for example.

How does Gondry and Spike Jonze work in music video translate into feature length films?

A field trip would be to people watch in Union Square. Just sit, have some lunch and watch.

The project for the end of the semester would be to make a short film and of course, create a soundtrack.
Speakers could be any of the previously mentioned directors/writers. That would be lovely.

I bet there is a class like this somewhere, but this is MINE right now.

mama pajama rolled out of bed...

I was over at Sister Margarets blog and she was asked 5 questions from Leah. There are some rules to play which are very simple and at the bottom. I really wanted to be interviewed so here are Margaret's questions for me.

1-What reality TV show would you be on if you had to be on one?

Survivor-definitely a south pacific Island with a Scotsman, a southern con man with heart of gold and a good doc. I am very specific. There does not have to be any other girls.

2. Newspapers, magazines, books, or the internets: which is your favorite media?

I'm still an old fashioned girl and love the idea of reading a really well written extremely informative newspaper, but there are so few and frankly I don't have much time. I love books too but again the time. I find myself loving magazines because they have nice pretty pictures and short articles. My favorites at the moment are Dwell and Metropolis.

3. If you had to give-up one of your 5 senses: which one and why?

Very tough but I'll pick smell. But only because I won't loose my sense of taste because the question says "only 1".

4. If Ben & Jerry's were to name an ice cream flavor after you, what would it be?

Fudgie Mcfudge sounds terrible but that's all I can think of at the moment. Dark chocolate ice cream with ginger, almonds ans swirls of vanilla with bits of fudge.

5. If you could start a new holiday:, what, when, and how would you celebrate?

Celebrate your favorite music video day. It would be sometime in the winter when life is a bit blah. You would dress up as a character and you were allowed to sing your music video song all day. Fun huh? Like Halloween in the winter.

My first one I would pick would be Flock of Seagulls-"And I ran" I'm not sure if I would dress up like the lead singer or one of the girls. They are both pretty cool.

Here are the rules:

1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” And please, feel free to comment on my fabulousness, or whatever.

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

I wake up to the sound of music...

It's scary when I'm understanding Paul's lyrics.

The song in my head is Let it be. And that is my anthem at the moment.

My I Ching this morning was Li-The Clinging. The last paragraph is enlightening.

"Trying times bring us the gift of showing where our devotion to proper principles ends. Deepen that devotion now, cling to the truth and acceptance and Independence, and you will meet with success."


And now for something to make you laugh-because it is always appreciated.

In our collection of books to get rid of, we had this Helmut Newton paperback of photos.

I'm keeping it now because it screams "write in me"

Here is my first entry.

whisper words of wisdom...

I am very excited to be the "Getting to Know" host over at Create a Connection for this month of May. Thanks Melba!

I am a huge movie and music fan, and I'm always curious to know about other people's favorites.

My first round of questions relates to various forms of creativity.

I want to know what book, movie and song not only changed your life, but also changed the way you thought about the medium. It could have been when you were a child or a teenager or just last week. Anytime in your life.

The Song.

I lived in a very music loving household which was wonderful. There were many different age groups and therefore different types of music. Thankfully I had 2 older sisters who had good taste and I listened to all of their records and 8 tracks. (Yes 8 tracks)

The one song that changed it all for me was "Space Oddity" by David Bowie. I was 8 and I must have listened to that song 1000 times as I laid upside down on my sister's bed. Not knowing as a child the words to describe it I can only remotely try to remember those feelings I had when I listened to it. I was struck by it's expansiveness and I really could not believe how a song could set a mood and create such a scenery for me.

The Book.

Whenever I got a chance between homework in high school I read. Some were classics some not so much. When I checked this one book out, I knew it was going to be great. I was not disappointed. It was A Catcher in the Rye.

I think everyone at that age is amazed by the feelings conveyed in this book. As a teen, soon becoming an adult, you start to see some of the ugliness in the world. One starts to feel a little jaded. I loved how Salinger wrote. he expressed those feelings. This was a breakthrough book for me.

The Movie.

I remember one of the first movies my mom took me to see was The Yearling, that was the first movie that I cried over.

But the first movie I saw that really changed it all for me was The Graduate. It was in the summer and I was about 15. I had a little TV in my bedroom and I watched it by myself. I was mesmerized. Everything about this film was so different for me. The music coming together. The colors. Everything. I was in love. I loved how it was shot and the design of it. (Before I knew what any of the terms meant)

Two recent films that I am equally excited about that have reestablished my love and hope for the world and film and art are You and Me and EveryoneWe Know and The Science of Sleep. Check them out, will not disappoint.