Sunday, June 29, 2008

Mixed Media Group


Gosh, friends. When you meet a bunch of people interested in the same things in art - it is awesome. Our little group has grown so much we can hardly fit around the room now. And it is very difficlut to see and hear everything. When we started in 2005, we often had only 3 - 5 people showing up, but we stuck it out. And invited people we met that were also interested in altered arts and collage, etc. Well, we have 72 members now - and seldom have a meeting with less than 20 people. So much enthusiasm and energy in the room, we older gals are exhausted when it's over for the month. Here's the group as it looked today.

I wish I could show you all the great art that was created by these women, that we shared at Show and Tell. There is a lot of talent sitting around that table. We rock!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Summer look



Seasonal Changes.
I tear off the linens and sofa and chair covers twice a year. and I may change the artwork seasonally. This is the summer look. You may remember the hummingbird painting. I was never quite satisfied with it so went back in and added the blue. Now, it's done. those are real twigs and leaves (most of them anyway) from a friend's tree. They are imbedded in caulking compound.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008


I am a
Daffodil


What Flower
Are You?


What do you know this thing works. Why don't you try and see what kind of flower you are? Jackie is a daisy and Pat is a Canna Lily. Wish I remembered what attributes the daffodil is credited with. Hmmm. Maybe I'll take the quiz again later.

Framing a card


Rosemary sent me this beautiful card recently and I framed it to hang in my bedroom. Isn't it lovely?

Having a little bit of fun






Rosemary and Nancy showed up before 8 a.m. to pick me up to go to Char's house in Fair Oaks. We had a long drive ahead, but also a good chance to talk and laugh on the way. We used my GPS friend "Faith", and she got us there perfectly.

Sally was there when we arrived, so we settled right into some nice hot muffins right out of the oven, and got to talking about our proposed business venture. There were lots of ideas tossed around and we covered a lot of ground. I have years of experience, and not much energy. They, on the other hand - are full of energy and enthusiasm and no old baggage, so they have a fresh approach and I think it will go well. We sort of balanced out this way. Everyone had something to contribute.

After the business portion of day was over, we toured Char's doll house "museum". She has one room in her house devoted to her doll houses and vignettes. WOW, WOW, DOUBLE WOW!!!! We really enjoyed the close look and appreciated the smallest details.

One of the group wasn't feeling well so we headed for home, chatting all the way. It was a lovely day and it was very good to be with the art pals again. Now we are all inspired to start working on projects related to the "business". There will be more on that later.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Vicky's update


Vicky is making a slow and very painful recovery. Her shoulder is broken in three places, so she will be facing surgery soon to put in pins to hold it together. Between that and the broken ribs, it is almost impossible for her to find a comfortable position. But the healing has begun. Please keep her in your prayers.

Another star in heaven


My sister-in-law Kris's brother Jim has passed into the next realm. Jim, to put it simply, was a really good guy, and will be missed by all who knew him. Thank you God for taking him home and relieving him of his illness and pain.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Birds in the trees



Here are a few of the birds that hung out around my bird feeders in the mts. I'm taking a camera with a good zoom lens next trip to see what I can get.

It's going to be over 100 degrees here in the Valley today. I'll be thinking about the cooler woods I left behind, and planning for my next trip upcountry.

I'm glad we got that Stimulation Refund from the government, which will help pay the exorbitant gas prices.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Back from the hills


I had to tear myself away from the Sierras today to return to the Valley. The weather could not have been better, and I had the most restful few days of my entire life. I feel so refreshed. Buddy was by my side and has taken over his position of top dog with great dignity. He has a new Aunt Sally, who will spoil him even worse than I do! And he learned to ride in golf carts. Sally's husband gave us a ride one day and then Cathy rode us all over the park two days and I tell you, it's been nothing but nag, nag, nag ever since. He wants his own! Someone pulled up in front of the office today and I was standing there visiting with someone else. Buddy hightailed it for the car and jumped right in and up on the seat ready to go for a ride. It didn't matter to him that they were strangers. They had a golf cart, I guess that makes them his friends. I tell you , this boy is one fickle fellow. Anyway we are home and now time for writing bills and doing laundry before our next trip.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Missing out


The Wackos went to SF on Saturday while I was in the country. They celebrated Nancy's birthday and inducted Charlotte officially into the select group of friends who call themselves the Wackos. It's a long story. They had lunch at Scomas and then did some shopping for art supplies and materials. I understand they had a great time. Here they are.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Please say a little prayer for Vicky



My daughter in law Christina's mom was in an accident yesterday. She was rearended on her motortryke (The Betty Boop Mobile). She has broken ribs, collar bone, bruised lungs, possibly a broken shoulder, lots of bruises and abrasions including her face, a cracked head (now stapled) but no brain damage. She is in terrible pain. Of course Christina is with her and I'm babysitting the teenagers (ours and the others that hang out here practically full time). She was right in front of her own house when it happened.

This picture was taken as she was headed for home loaded down with luggage returning from a cruise with the kids last year. She loves this bike and is so proud of it. She will probably never ride again.

I'm so glad my son and Christina sold their motorcyles this year. I worried every time they were out on them. I love the grandkids, but I don't want to raise them.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Gas prices


All I heard on the news today was that gas prices had gone over $4.00 a gallon. This was no surprise to me, it's been over $4 for a couple weeks now. In the mts it is over $4.60. I thought I'd post the picture I took last week when I filled up at the neighborhood station.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Life in the slow lane

Buddy and I went to the dog park the other day. It's a wonderful place. I can't say enough about what an amazing place it is. And how many happy people and pets were there to enjoy it. It was hot though, and Buddy tired easily and wasn't very playful. We will need to go in the mornings when it's cooler.

We went to the country for a nice long weekend. What a treat. The Sierras are glorious. The air was so fresh. Breezy and cool at first, but today it warmed up. Candis went with us so we had some special time together. Do you know what it's like to travel with a 12 year old girl? A chatterbox? Without a girfriend along to talk to? My poor ears! I should not complain because she is really very good company, just noisy. We played cards, took walks, did a bit of shopping, ate breakfast at our favorite place, visited with friends - it was all very nice. And she spoiled Buddy worse than I ever had. Next to me and my friend Cat's husband, Candis is Buddy's third best friend. Cat's husband dog sat for awhile so we could go off shopping. Buddy has always drifted to him. Maybe it's because he cooks breakfast outside and we used to smell it and Buddy always got a bite of bacon. Or, maybe it's just because Gene is one of those men that ALL dogs take to. It's too bad he can't have one of his own until after he retires. Hopefully then, some lucky dog will win out.

So, that is life in the slow lane. A nice place to be for awhile.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Friends and pets

I want to thank everyone for your calls, your messages and emails. I am so grateful for your expressions of sympathy over losing my little doggie pal. You have been blessed by loving pets also, and understood how devastating a loss this is. Thanks Sally and Nancy for lunch today, it helped get me out of the low mood.

Buddy, my little old black dog had a special treat today. He's a dog's dog. He hates being an only dog. I don't know if I ever told you how I came to get Buddy. I had a sweet little dachsie girl for 18 years, and another one before that for the same length of time. I didn't think I could go through another loss so I was dogless for several years. I had a lovebird though, and then two of them. But, I missed having a waggint tails when I came home from work, and a dog to snuggle with and play ball with, or walk with. I started thinking I have such a good home for pets, I really should try to find an older less adoptable dog that would like a home with me. I went to the shelter to look at another dachsie, but it was young and ever so adoptable. They also had Buddy. Buddy had come to the shelter on his own. He checked himself in. They closed up one night and when they reopened in the morning, there was Buddy. They never did figure out how he got over the fences, and could not find a way he could have got under it, or the gates. Buddy loves other dogs. I think he was lonely and just climbed the fence to be with other canines. Once he climbed a ladder here to get over a fence. He was like an escape artist. He could really jump high also, so my gates and fences had to be maintained and designed to hold him in. He loves people too and would happily go with anyone. As sweet as he is - he does not believe in exclusive relationships. Hmmmm? Reminds me of my ex. LOL

Well, I took Buddy straight to the vet for a check up. He was already about 4 years old or so, and I wanted to make sure he was healthy. I held him on the vet's table against my waist while he was being examined. Everything was going good, and the vet said, he has a very slow heartbeat. He looked a bit concerned, and I stepped back a bit to look at Buddy only to find he was sound asleep. We had a laugh and he got his clean bill of health.

When I got him home, he ran straight across the room, up on my bed and up on the highest pillow, where he plopped himself down and went right back to sleep for about 24 hours. He never made a sound. It was about two weeks before I heard him make a tiny little noise in his throat. And another week or two before he barked. Isn't that strange? I talked to the shelter and they said he never slept while he was there, he was just so happy to be surrounded by other dogs, he could not rest.

After about two weeks, he was still sleeping most of the time, and he just looked sad, even though I knew he liked me and his surroundings. And after they had told me how much he enjoyed being with the other dogs, I realized he was lonely for his own species. He was depressed. And if you've ever had a depressed dog, you know exactly what I mean. That's when we adopted Lady. Lady was Buddy's dog. That's the way it worked. When I got Suzie, she was my dog, but Buddy had Lady until she died. By then he and Suzie were such good friends, he transferred his attention to her, and didn't go into another depression.

My youngest son and his family live downstairs in the big house, while I am upstairs in the mother in law quarters. They have three dogs now. They got them all after I got mine. They have a separate yard from mine and so often don't see each other for days on end. But we will make an effort to get them together every day now so Buddy will have dog friends to play with. I've always babysat the kids dogs when they travel, and they did the same for me. So the dogs all know each other and get along great.

I started out to tell you about Buddy's special treat and then got sidetracked. The city opened it's first dog park this week. My son and granddaughter took Buddy and one of their dogs there. It was crowded and Buddy had the best time. He loved the crowd of dogs. He did some of the activities, but mainly he wanted to sniff and meet all the dogs. When he got home he ran straight to my chair, and up on my lap with the happiest look on his face and wanted to tell me about it. He also wanted hugs and pats. It was very like a kid after his first day at school. Very sweet.

He's curled up on my lap now, in Suzie's special place. He always understood it was her place until now. I guess we will adapt and feel Suzie's loss less and less as the days go by. I keep telling myself this.

I'll take him to the dog park tomorrow for some play time.

Life Goes On


Nathan graduated from 8th grade to high school yesterday. Here he is just after the ceremony. He'll join Trevor who will be an 11th grader at the same school, and Candis will move up from 6th to Jr. High. DJ, in Nevada is going into high school also. These are the youngest of my grandchildren. Where did the time go?

Monday, June 2, 2008

My little Suzie is gone.


My heart is broken. I'm a wreck and can't stop crying. Suzie meant so much to me. After a few days of throwing up everything, and getting skinnier and skinnier, I decided I was keeping her alive for me, and that except for the odd moments of joy in her life, the rest of it was getting pretty rough on her. It was the humane thing to do, the right thing. I hope she finds her old pal Lady in doggie heaven. Or maybe she'll find my old friend Frank and curl up in his lap, like old times. We have been saying goodbye all day. And as a very last little bit of love, I let her have a chocolate chip. What the heck! She's been begging for chocolate for years and I never let her have it before. She seemed kind of puzzled that I didn't' grab it away from her, but then she licked it and took it into her mouth. She didn't seem as impressed as I hoped she would be, but then food held no interest to her any more.

Please say a little prayer for Suzie 2 Sweet. That's her online name. She actually had her own email address. Now for a big box of tissues. The photo is of Suzie in front, then Buddy, and at the back is Lady. Only Buddy lives on, and he's the oldest.

I just heard that one of my art pal Jackie's dogs is suddenly and dramatically having a vet emergency situation, so please say a little prayer for Tootsie too.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Quiet Sunday

Except for trips to grocery store, car was and friend Marilyn's house, I did nothing today, and I really mean nothing. Suzie is throwing up everything she eats. It doesn't matter what it is. I get all encouraged that she actually eats, and then up it comes again. Poor little girl. She's sleeping on my lap now - which is where she always wants to be. Buddy is sleeping on the footstool next to my feet. He's so patient and kind to her.

Marilyn gave me some fresh apricots off her tree, and fresh blackberries, full and juicy. Yumm. She manages to maintain a wonderful garden, a home, a job, plus all of life's other obligations. And she finds a little time for making art. Amazing.

My art pal Jackie and I have had several discussions today through emails about the directions our art is taking us, and whether it is really the direction we want to go. Marilyn is having the same kind of issues in her life. I keep saying I'm a painter, and then I go and do a bunch of other things, when I really could be painting and getting better and better (so it says in the books). So, why do I get so distracted when I see someone else do something and think I have to try it too? I want to paint! I need to paint. I will paint! I so resolve!

Saturday play day






Having good art pals to play with is such a blessing in my life. This time we played at Sally's friend's house on the lake. Sally is housesitting - well, dog sitting. So, we joined her for a day of play. We made little paper jewelry pieces, ate some good food and snacks, and just enjoyed a wonderful day of laughter and chatter.