women are....

I just don't know, sometimes.  

Sometimes women are exactly right.  They are who you need, what you need, and the men are idiots (of course, I mean this in the kindest of terms.)  Actually, I'm so often thinking, "I'm going to have an all-girl party, and invite all the women I like" - there are many.  Tons, even.  And then, I start to think of things like, "I'll have them watch these movies and listen to this music and eat this food and talk about these things and laugh the whole time........." and invariably, one of them pops into my head as a spoiler.  They probably wouldn't be.  They'd probably all humor me, if I threw a party for them.  But, I don't know.  There's so much potential for danger.......

Sometimes women are completely nuts.  Tonight I experienced a lot of women who with the very best of intentions, all became a bunch of complete raving maniac pecking hen crazies all chattering and hovering around at once.  These are ladies who under normal circumstances, I really like.  It was like that song in "The Music Man" - "Pick a Little, Talk a Little."  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbhnRuJBHLsI couldn't stop them.  They weren't even acting human.

I know I sound very righteous at this point, as if I'm not one, myself.  I know I probably must have gotten involved in this behavior before at some time, but thank goodness I don't remember it!  I would be on my own nerves!

I only wished for a male to be present.  I actually reached for the first one I saw (who happens to be my friend) as if I were reaching for the last life preserver on the Titanic.  I was happy to get home to my Bald Man of few words.

In Her Shoes

Literally.  I will be in my friend Sarah's shoes.

Her Mom so generously gave me, what must be, ALL of Sarah's shoes.  Not too many size 10s around; something we proudly shared.  I am so grateful and happy to have them.   Also, there are some clothes.   I was laughing through the tears as I held each piece - it was like going through my own closet in many ways.

I don't have many more words about this; just tons of emotions.  Mostly, trying to celebrate her life.

To Sarah!

Alternative Valentines

Here are some silly things I painted for an art sale.  (I only sold one, so if anyone wants one, they're cheap!)

Other, happier thoughts...

There ARE people who use their manners!

There ARE people who make the effort to show kindness, and I appreciate them and their efforts!

Of course, none of us is perfect, and we do all make mistakes - many of which, we may not even be aware.

Sometimes, it just seems like you can run into a whole phase of "less than politeness," and that makes my hope in humankind waver.  It also makes me miss my friend Sarah worse.

But back to the original purpose - I am still trying to live my life in her honor.  All things and relationships beautiful, meaningful and hopeful are what I'm surrounding myself with.  (And if you don't make the cut, well, you can keep trying - I'm all for positive change and more chances.)  No one who reads this "misses the cut."  I'm just saying that if the negative energy that I get from some of the folks with whom I associate (due to necessity) ever changes, I'll be glad to accept it.  If it doesn't - their loss!

Here's to positive energy, nice people and good, real, solid, genuine friends!

my thoughts of late

Isn't it easier to be nice than to be mean?  Doesn't it feel better and take less energy?

Mean/rude/hurtful can be passive-unintentional; people must be careful - at least conscious!

Genuine kindness is obvious to those of us who really care about it.  We appreciate that.

Basic social skills and good manners are still in style, aren't they?

Caring for one's fellow man/woman is still important, right?

Selfishness is not attractive, nor does it make anyone truly feel good, does it?

Pretty is as pretty does, right?

Love your neighbor as yourself, right?

Thanks, Mom and Dad, my 4 Grandparents, my Aunts and Uncles, and some "spare" parental types for teaching me these things.

Change and growth...

Here is something funny and silly that I painted for my children's school.  I sincerely hope everyone enjoys being the butterfly and the caterpillar!  Since this photo, I've added some big green wire leaf shapes that stick out, and a bowtie for the caterpillar.  They are out for the evening, after all.

Not the world's loftiest piece of art, but at least I'm using paint and a paint brush again.  I also managed to paint some hearts on some china plates for a Valentine's art sale thing.

I am coming back to life; some creativity is trying to get out.

Many things have been going on around here.  We've been quite busy and pretty happy too.  I will work at posting more regularly again, and will add photos, because I always think posts need that.

I hope no one is too disturbed by my large butterfly head.........

Let me see.....

if I remember how to do this.

I thank those of you who actually read this silly thing, and if there are any of you left, who keep checking, I am still here.

I've emerged from about 6 weeks of fast and furious working at the fine craft gallery.  That was wonderful - and a little tiring.  I didn't get much laundry or cleaning done, but somehow, we survived, and no one hot lined us.  It was absolutely wonderful to be surrounded by the great art, as well as by great artists.  I can truly say now that some inspiration is slowly, but surely making its way back into my being.

I'm still working there, just quite a bit less.  I've gone from 6 days/week, to 6 days/month.  This leaves me time to get my butt to my studio (yes, I have one) and actually create something!  I have plans - so all well-wishes and "positive vibes" (as Sarah used to say) are welcome!  I will try.

As a matter of fact, I've done a tiny start - photographs of professional ballet dancers rehearsing.  I will paint or draw or sculpt from these.  As a bit of an old dancer, myself, combining dance and art is the most ideal subject possible for me.  I'm good at rendering figures, and I know about dance.  I hope this works!

I've been avoiding this blog a bit, simply because I've just been trying to feel my sadness, and I didn't think readers might want to just keep reading about that.  I do still miss my friend, though, every day, many times a day.  I do still visit her grave, and try to keep something pretty in my little vase, (or near) even though it's freezing outside.  I imagine whenever her memorial stone gets put up, I may not need to do this, but heck, I have no idea what to expect!  I may need to do it forever.  I think partly, I'm just still trying to grasp that this is the fact.  I still want to call her with some nutty art idea and bounce ideas back and forth.

I do have a funny story to share; at least I like it...  Sarah would like it...

Yesterday, I was slightly down-trodden due to an offensive woman who can often make me feel bad.  I wish she couldn't, but somehow, she's just so rude, that she gets to me sometimes.  My kids happened to observe the rude behavior, and its effect on me.  Anyway, while I was in the kitchen cooking (yes, for the 3rd night in a row, I think!) I heard my funny little Cake in the dining room singing (to the tune of London Bridge) "_______  ______ (insert offensive woman's name here) is poop and pee, poop and pee, poop and pee.  _______   ______ is poop and pee... (and my wonderful Veggie chimed in from downstairs) "and diarrhea!"  

What better defenders and friends could I ever have?!

So, forward ho!  As I'm told.