tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784848336204474192024-03-12T19:56:41.632-04:00crafting catharsishealing my head and heart with craftscaiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-22958608887691780432014-08-03T13:43:00.000-04:002014-08-03T13:43:01.961-04:00new buzz; a love's sting Bees are the new buzz. They play a key role in the balance of the ecosystem. Colony Collapse Disorder is a phenomenon in recent years that have raised awareness in their decimation. They may be symbolic of many things, but for me, it is their diligence and hard work. On a more personal and relatable level, they serve as metaphor to pollinate own heart to allow growth and fulfill dreams. As they are ceaseless in productivity, I believe when the same principles are applied to personal life, employing hard work to feed ourselves in turn feeds our dreams. Applying these ethics to a recent juncture in a decision in my professional life is paramount, though at the inception of this concept, this decision was yet to be realized. I love bees as symbolism and design element. The collection will only grow as I grow.<br />
It all started with this piece:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjQ0HFWLCGTaZ-IlxtCoKc04q8RIIk9yB_GC42WWz1DnbZYyxCgsMBZy-lXKRoRkdCKt7fB1EnmaThwqwF3gdsnqZd_erlorQuuc7RMQMw2FBLef344ExOAEyx6Pl0qpomAlHv-csC61V/s1600/IMG_5693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjQ0HFWLCGTaZ-IlxtCoKc04q8RIIk9yB_GC42WWz1DnbZYyxCgsMBZy-lXKRoRkdCKt7fB1EnmaThwqwF3gdsnqZd_erlorQuuc7RMQMw2FBLef344ExOAEyx6Pl0qpomAlHv-csC61V/s1600/IMG_5693.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The necklace that started it all</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn16R3YKYR27o4J-Bi6hWU7gfRRLLpKJBJURCpmlhQbJ5BxBMd5ilTzNGnI4VWTjkXevXmFF6ZteG-6DK99GM1yqJZA75y6O9lHOW4zXy4WhyuAAosTdMSLptEK6XpV23wZqaAIRM4B9X/s1600/IMG_5667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn16R3YKYR27o4J-Bi6hWU7gfRRLLpKJBJURCpmlhQbJ5BxBMd5ilTzNGnI4VWTjkXevXmFF6ZteG-6DK99GM1yqJZA75y6O9lHOW4zXy4WhyuAAosTdMSLptEK6XpV23wZqaAIRM4B9X/s1600/IMG_5667.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bird's eye view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMVC4VRA3LeuxjgL_FOH1n7JHhtq4YGS0hvhWqxIcwOR93jrHS_gEBoRlh9gMPv4KSfy17G3xskpraUzykOywQWiboh8LlShnbTVR2JhEWirmPRjhMsLCa4zEvguNCJIdXIJ7l5ZIJPHA/s1600/IMG_5771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMVC4VRA3LeuxjgL_FOH1n7JHhtq4YGS0hvhWqxIcwOR93jrHS_gEBoRlh9gMPv4KSfy17G3xskpraUzykOywQWiboh8LlShnbTVR2JhEWirmPRjhMsLCa4zEvguNCJIdXIJ7l5ZIJPHA/s1600/IMG_5771.JPG" height="176" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">displayed in its frame with another piece for a show</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsYSeXLzAQYxTzN-VschrVBeFSCzrmVB49RHzvZCKGSj1TgawQ95gonOkY_6xLzxnGLOf-vz5QGE_R2saZg55fkxe1_YMODUrqCtT9Y5NpVDVIC3P6ueAg20taLRmsXaoS4ZKQKXL7NyZ/s1600/IMG_5568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsYSeXLzAQYxTzN-VschrVBeFSCzrmVB49RHzvZCKGSj1TgawQ95gonOkY_6xLzxnGLOf-vz5QGE_R2saZg55fkxe1_YMODUrqCtT9Y5NpVDVIC3P6ueAg20taLRmsXaoS4ZKQKXL7NyZ/s1600/IMG_5568.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bee by itself </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIheMk2GuKE-SOXRpcUDodk5fMM91uvVlGC99bc8uDyYUy34dRiBYClmGEKCuG925potg8Z_zyn0Tsxji0DeFJpXMJgjiw2EMEOl9XeGOwhMNZSbCqO3QgXeWDLgbCxxxY7gARvOSqtwzY/s1600/IMG_8221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIheMk2GuKE-SOXRpcUDodk5fMM91uvVlGC99bc8uDyYUy34dRiBYClmGEKCuG925potg8Z_zyn0Tsxji0DeFJpXMJgjiw2EMEOl9XeGOwhMNZSbCqO3QgXeWDLgbCxxxY7gARvOSqtwzY/s1600/IMG_8221.JPG" height="202" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hand etched brass cuff with bee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmhhBFrQ0hRV8KHuXFcWL5X9kX4dm8yRNZqatq6ezfovUHZJ2ktU7JbbFOTxYEw7leYv2qkGYR2gKSlXMSSOXp4qm52ggTvK9qdtn1fCd16ucJK2wGJFPJYODTBLdsMvuWCXTDwBN8s-g/s1600/IMG_8225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmhhBFrQ0hRV8KHuXFcWL5X9kX4dm8yRNZqatq6ezfovUHZJ2ktU7JbbFOTxYEw7leYv2qkGYR2gKSlXMSSOXp4qm52ggTvK9qdtn1fCd16ucJK2wGJFPJYODTBLdsMvuWCXTDwBN8s-g/s1600/IMG_8225.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another view of same cuff</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06TaFbrfitszQ0f70AeRu0hLuizQkhlBMrH9pzkEnUU5E-QrqYXx3gLjRTuGZRJAzXpDymwGTgbZA5dJkHIT8__gGdkMeDUeHU2F-omCWxu2s27WPhq70E_htXCV-e76e0KBPPj7mRpZj/s1600/IMG_8241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06TaFbrfitszQ0f70AeRu0hLuizQkhlBMrH9pzkEnUU5E-QrqYXx3gLjRTuGZRJAzXpDymwGTgbZA5dJkHIT8__gGdkMeDUeHU2F-omCWxu2s27WPhq70E_htXCV-e76e0KBPPj7mRpZj/s1600/IMG_8241.JPG" height="219" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honeycomb cuff</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrhRI1ldDv4l_jSsO9QuFuW82IADvZVEo138ilPV_OgYFujPi0HBzqf_ig4oJwlRyVEwU_oQwhQsG3s8Lreo6szqU2EFPA8ileNRc74Yebu49_b5nmXXR5gg_6dn6YUaFM5Zr5Fgb-zAN/s1600/IMG_8262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrhRI1ldDv4l_jSsO9QuFuW82IADvZVEo138ilPV_OgYFujPi0HBzqf_ig4oJwlRyVEwU_oQwhQsG3s8Lreo6szqU2EFPA8ileNRc74Yebu49_b5nmXXR5gg_6dn6YUaFM5Zr5Fgb-zAN/s1600/IMG_8262.JPG" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honeycomb earrings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bOLDnoDpMeRZ2rnDOL9h69E5tz6XwAPnhopY0ZdWFGtRrPEJdbbJEH98wk6IACI9yJPf4zRJ-Qh_P9yl1jyvcif9ONEEs7mWfktVBxHFseHNo7o-h85huV15qPQK9MV1_gnrdhSjop7o/s1600/IMG_8254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bOLDnoDpMeRZ2rnDOL9h69E5tz6XwAPnhopY0ZdWFGtRrPEJdbbJEH98wk6IACI9yJPf4zRJ-Qh_P9yl1jyvcif9ONEEs7mWfktVBxHFseHNo7o-h85huV15qPQK9MV1_gnrdhSjop7o/s1600/IMG_8254.JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honeycomb bangle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrH9fOxWfz5p8KvS_sz7vNx9_mm53SX2UXeAyfKu2ASrTFkoBDbRZUV18EZWSRmW2103dGuQhOZ-KF78LGfUfd531AjCyZIJT5y_VfhJJ1tB76VieZZFypLjHYzPjVJWuKhGwyW2kQ1Y7m/s1600/IMG_8267+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrH9fOxWfz5p8KvS_sz7vNx9_mm53SX2UXeAyfKu2ASrTFkoBDbRZUV18EZWSRmW2103dGuQhOZ-KF78LGfUfd531AjCyZIJT5y_VfhJJ1tB76VieZZFypLjHYzPjVJWuKhGwyW2kQ1Y7m/s1600/IMG_8267+2.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honeycomb necklace</td></tr>
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<br />caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-58528790557498170732014-05-23T01:30:00.000-04:002014-05-23T01:30:14.383-04:00reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORj06wyNbzy319bIDXfUjP52q05O9HdAN3hGzA_rsVXLulv1gc-42XJyYiymcedVs1bGd4toQJftktzk_P-6dF_kkA7C0oQ4unqcqkSd-5MKu1HQAPPmZkGUTOTbE2tXsykdTqrK1Ze3h/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORj06wyNbzy319bIDXfUjP52q05O9HdAN3hGzA_rsVXLulv1gc-42XJyYiymcedVs1bGd4toQJftktzk_P-6dF_kkA7C0oQ4unqcqkSd-5MKu1HQAPPmZkGUTOTbE2tXsykdTqrK1Ze3h/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="286" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">I started this blog a couple of years ago as a means of healing through creative production. I have been very quiet in recent months because I have wavered in my decision to keep this going, for this to represent, and the identity of which I want to continue to associate for I am a changed and different person today. I am a sap for alliteration, and I like "crafting" both literally and figuratively. So instead of worrying about what it needs to be, just allow it to evolve into whatever it is supposed to be.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.beaconopenstudios.org/caiming-cheung.html">BOS 2014</a> is behind me now. I always approach it with such trepidation and stress, but as always, when it is over, I am grateful for the overwhelming response and support. I have made lifelong connections through this venue, and have received feedback affirming my work appeals to a wider cross-section beyond my immediate connections, which is good for promoting confidence. Both this impetus, and a very recent series of decisions I made about my "day job" has set in motion a momentum that will calibrate more changes. The unknown is scary. There are no plans of what or how anything is going to happen, just the sensation that something has to. Sometimes doing something that scares us the most, is the only way to grow. Life is about refinement, so changes are necessary for growing into and distilling into who and what we are. The leaps and bounds in my personal life was not anything I anticipated, but those changes and growth were possible because I took that chance. So, "change" can be good! I have an incredible person by my side, accepting and loving me as I am, incredibly patient, and quietly resolute in support. I am blessed to have my family and an incredible network of friends to lean on. Curveballs are going to be inevitable, but I am embracing the challenge!<br /></span>caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-52022063488460731282013-09-15T15:38:00.000-04:002013-09-15T15:38:38.587-04:00first impressions"It is a truth" I'd personally acknowledged that Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of my favorite books. This year marked it's 200th anniversary. Though there were many classics part of the English lit curriculum back in the days, this one was not one of them. A genuine belief in everything in it's due time, this very belated post to my chagrin, I discovered and fell in love with this book as an adult. So quite naturally, I knew that I wanted to pay homage to Austen for the group show piece for BOS 2013 (back in April). The brainstorm translated to gathering the materials, some sketching, making of certain components, and a visualization of how the complete piece will be executed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3kEcGyndVrXaosSN21mZC1XRAhrQAnVQdpc3cnY306VhW_TCoHpD_vQH27uPbdvUK1CulUu9gr3gpaCO6Wra2h1upbkCoZw03EEsfVxmjv7xhRPYXR2uDwsSX7LkqWisQnmFO42uEgSP/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3kEcGyndVrXaosSN21mZC1XRAhrQAnVQdpc3cnY306VhW_TCoHpD_vQH27uPbdvUK1CulUu9gr3gpaCO6Wra2h1upbkCoZw03EEsfVxmjv7xhRPYXR2uDwsSX7LkqWisQnmFO42uEgSP/s320/Image+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the general visualization</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgXbpfR14f5Tfv3Ug9HkzrKcwu4AV9AuGEsn2L0PyybHeF6OfGanO817CHcSLtLrlf8qH7-5MpzrNYR_nue2DCcKBlSNeVRMdwpOat_WVPgLoYYCkBjDCd3FMsT1iriBKydtit699xB_x/s1600/Image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgXbpfR14f5Tfv3Ug9HkzrKcwu4AV9AuGEsn2L0PyybHeF6OfGanO817CHcSLtLrlf8qH7-5MpzrNYR_nue2DCcKBlSNeVRMdwpOat_WVPgLoYYCkBjDCd3FMsT1iriBKydtit699xB_x/s320/Image+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4a9LWK7v-kRx5Qixi-lz7Bk_NCM5H35-Z5gvxFYsOSSvO9UI0gKsZcyIhiddzLiDjIrXt-AyTxPLV2js1hkZplJJVc1mAk9lqvrvcoKVoXpNFklgcqgTlwFFy9oy8rsv9ekyKu1PbuuQ/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4a9LWK7v-kRx5Qixi-lz7Bk_NCM5H35-Z5gvxFYsOSSvO9UI0gKsZcyIhiddzLiDjIrXt-AyTxPLV2js1hkZplJJVc1mAk9lqvrvcoKVoXpNFklgcqgTlwFFy9oy8rsv9ekyKu1PbuuQ/s320/Image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the "page"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6r1DLC5aMhzGdLYR8s93h4yaNrPaEX2XhgLaKKhV2CHwCmbDZF2twZNxkVGnVjHCcOnXgWNNGx0_pKtP1xNULBf9vn9bunzgQTbawo9kj6bkagfmD-8XtrfYNp8orTyudAjKK9PPuDJX/s1600/IMG_9304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6r1DLC5aMhzGdLYR8s93h4yaNrPaEX2XhgLaKKhV2CHwCmbDZF2twZNxkVGnVjHCcOnXgWNNGx0_pKtP1xNULBf9vn9bunzgQTbawo9kj6bkagfmD-8XtrfYNp8orTyudAjKK9PPuDJX/s320/IMG_9304.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">model of the "book" component (closed)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaMtxeShyphenhyphenHv6AV8yeL4vgZbZH9_dftBN54ULOqpq3U5NFHfKiyVCHCdlcf-a1SwLrmYvlKwead3M3lf-qvY_XQzb10AcpAeV-Rn9QtISqoTfyFXYOwmAx1o-T_Pvk7wLQ2-jGIN8yXRW6/s1600/IMG_9301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaMtxeShyphenhyphenHv6AV8yeL4vgZbZH9_dftBN54ULOqpq3U5NFHfKiyVCHCdlcf-a1SwLrmYvlKwead3M3lf-qvY_XQzb10AcpAeV-Rn9QtISqoTfyFXYOwmAx1o-T_Pvk7wLQ2-jGIN8yXRW6/s320/IMG_9301.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">book open</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBmuAeOFez_-H185eucJnFH5MKe3bvq_PHhBWiY9vfk-cDKdMrB0YKJY3-7zMjtwHSkJjtV4whwyhRas0vL26Mk8KMONAJXTn4jVpUJ3Uteqy95v8UwScFBR_GmN5gHkj_KkpFQTPkK0D/s1600/Image+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBmuAeOFez_-H185eucJnFH5MKe3bvq_PHhBWiY9vfk-cDKdMrB0YKJY3-7zMjtwHSkJjtV4whwyhRas0vL26Mk8KMONAJXTn4jVpUJ3Uteqy95v8UwScFBR_GmN5gHkj_KkpFQTPkK0D/s320/Image+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">components done</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Pu6ypSylcvWqcsPJj0XDpZgd_u6Y-Ri9-H8jNFJrrN_t_pKXmQRBDySFrKPJppAtSv8FSVx2VNVJAtQ5OEK55jqHIzOJ14IQzZW1N0vTx5evbJpHfeuY3l2TpVJtUnZ9Q0RWeWnQtRbh/s1600/Image+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Pu6ypSylcvWqcsPJj0XDpZgd_u6Y-Ri9-H8jNFJrrN_t_pKXmQRBDySFrKPJppAtSv8FSVx2VNVJAtQ5OEK55jqHIzOJ14IQzZW1N0vTx5evbJpHfeuY3l2TpVJtUnZ9Q0RWeWnQtRbh/s320/Image+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up to inkwell and quill clasp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7DiRQQd0YGgRJLnt6u57En8wi3xPPVmHGOZs1-N1AYnFD_LBONOGTLDZbMDH8TPtPSP_BdIzAnEgRj7yuyEyAiDIpXUP9dOqFS4IHRxXZm7kZqwvoe-wav5fGi2T_qU8NFF8R1kcCgpm/s1600/Image+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7DiRQQd0YGgRJLnt6u57En8wi3xPPVmHGOZs1-N1AYnFD_LBONOGTLDZbMDH8TPtPSP_BdIzAnEgRj7yuyEyAiDIpXUP9dOqFS4IHRxXZm7kZqwvoe-wav5fGi2T_qU8NFF8R1kcCgpm/s320/Image+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">displayed on shadow box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The link components of the chain is the following quote:<br />
<b>"A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us." -Jane Austen</b><br />
<br />
The original working title of the book was First Impressions. I am not above the fallacious character of certain individuals, my first impressions have been proven wrong. I have allowed my pride, in more than one occasion, holding on to an impossible ideal only to implicate myself in an unhealthy emotional turmoil. It is only through an acceptance, and the healing of a bruised ego, did I find the balance to be humbled by vanity.<br />
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<br />caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-12037763274221371532013-03-08T01:57:00.000-05:002013-03-08T01:57:26.701-05:00blessed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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February has been a month associated with some of the best and worst moments and memories, but not this year. I believe in the sanctity of this daily reminder, my calendar at work:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1LuedMVA_nF2_2UNYXdNoVQXTy2VsY2xNsk6pIf4EJ57HQA_2Ea-uZTDNzvZNgdRGDLGEvBBFV4_Qg-HsUdmCU-cCWkg8bvtGdRc3l_t_kks5-8AOGnzuWF_3xRXZMNatlbO5hHlUde4/s1600/Image+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1LuedMVA_nF2_2UNYXdNoVQXTy2VsY2xNsk6pIf4EJ57HQA_2Ea-uZTDNzvZNgdRGDLGEvBBFV4_Qg-HsUdmCU-cCWkg8bvtGdRc3l_t_kks5-8AOGnzuWF_3xRXZMNatlbO5hHlUde4/s320/Image+10.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BELIEVE everything happens for a reason</td></tr>
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Early in the month was filled with festivities of the Lunar New Year.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7xXvw3NOd-6_DPHXw2r56XcpjV0kuYL4Mng2oKQs5mMvsZ-3EGf_7KWYenAqvTelAUhVaF-hr58oLXS3cfeWuC8A79Ucnn_Ne13dOf9I_FAZ_uqmw9mGlJMXjO8wAwzDXK9ilWtK2QWU/s1600/Image+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7xXvw3NOd-6_DPHXw2r56XcpjV0kuYL4Mng2oKQs5mMvsZ-3EGf_7KWYenAqvTelAUhVaF-hr58oLXS3cfeWuC8A79Ucnn_Ne13dOf9I_FAZ_uqmw9mGlJMXjO8wAwzDXK9ilWtK2QWU/s320/Image+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">towers of fruits of plenty, and Tray of Togetherness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs95Xk8w8VdNZKmaGnP4aC1R2Wz6nZYVTbzw79m3XeU4cysR-m0M5ifI8AUudVvXiuX_u_7seY2WjB3xiEvMc_S9WcB-TJn5-Q_axE6bhkNWGa2jMzwZ60s2FWLU5T6oGfI-q0SrG6ep5/s1600/Image+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs95Xk8w8VdNZKmaGnP4aC1R2Wz6nZYVTbzw79m3XeU4cysR-m0M5ifI8AUudVvXiuX_u_7seY2WjB3xiEvMc_S9WcB-TJn5-Q_axE6bhkNWGa2jMzwZ60s2FWLU5T6oGfI-q0SrG6ep5/s320/Image+13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lucky money</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvoncTmXcCGQ86lo2OnUGNRTIuBe_CvSZXkramJIPGu6Cg2xz-4OOJYL75rXOwZ_PAdrVJQyWLqH9K7NDNZhL14Ycn4EEjZ1j2Cteu8nKCRyx6CTecGylOoaWhZN2S52Na_iNrauokxbA/s1600/Image+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvoncTmXcCGQ86lo2OnUGNRTIuBe_CvSZXkramJIPGu6Cg2xz-4OOJYL75rXOwZ_PAdrVJQyWLqH9K7NDNZhL14Ycn4EEjZ1j2Cteu8nKCRyx6CTecGylOoaWhZN2S52Na_iNrauokxbA/s320/Image+14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the offerings</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBqo4qXCYBQmRoD-HbsZzU189_UUXO70A0gashedj3yJaJJUhvwdlrigZlOdUZ8JpJHX9oTudgbaOCpMMXnxSaxU0KkdzvPTqhZQbhl3ErPc-f__JfhAQovi4kzbE0DtDRXP2zupK16pM/s1600/Image+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBqo4qXCYBQmRoD-HbsZzU189_UUXO70A0gashedj3yJaJJUhvwdlrigZlOdUZ8JpJHX9oTudgbaOCpMMXnxSaxU0KkdzvPTqhZQbhl3ErPc-f__JfhAQovi4kzbE0DtDRXP2zupK16pM/s320/Image+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lions</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowHusMagwgjP4sg25oXy43B-J4OWpYej8kYxqaZApJ8jiDSu3y7HO3libGN_t-dUBtjckLrHZGZy-YvNBdphr1nTZr62ycZqI4juRxU86eHldwJMw6DdSHfyE4oBuTRJbweh-Y69_CJ0E/s1600/Image+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowHusMagwgjP4sg25oXy43B-J4OWpYej8kYxqaZApJ8jiDSu3y7HO3libGN_t-dUBtjckLrHZGZy-YvNBdphr1nTZr62ycZqI4juRxU86eHldwJMw6DdSHfyE4oBuTRJbweh-Y69_CJ0E/s320/Image+17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinatown</td></tr>
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Aside from the shower of gifts later in the month, most importantly I am reminded of the love and the wonderful people surrounding me. There was a running theme.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6waYiCXlhOC2g-KHmH5Ac8upUv-f9sA5cau9zvC3RRM69drWIf62rp-ugXsnRVPgAZnNTITlnZhN-riTUUd_5SGBnZqs77nZ_oCbpR_b3kEqnApdtW2Zw-4dTHxMUfjxxr6Ez6XjLRsfd/s1600/Image+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6waYiCXlhOC2g-KHmH5Ac8upUv-f9sA5cau9zvC3RRM69drWIf62rp-ugXsnRVPgAZnNTITlnZhN-riTUUd_5SGBnZqs77nZ_oCbpR_b3kEqnApdtW2Zw-4dTHxMUfjxxr6Ez6XjLRsfd/s320/Image+11.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr3UxkLUQqgGSfWAm4dSUvUCvVpBn3K1IMy9FYOTSGeMhUu49XOKvGrzlsfIFnLAm9eUi-KPm2OVlMsn6O_AfhymuQLhX0nvRYeRLxqvFIoDWW84UIe6Vw0B8cFtJZyXD6L0YAuDfhro7/s1600/Image+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr3UxkLUQqgGSfWAm4dSUvUCvVpBn3K1IMy9FYOTSGeMhUu49XOKvGrzlsfIFnLAm9eUi-KPm2OVlMsn6O_AfhymuQLhX0nvRYeRLxqvFIoDWW84UIe6Vw0B8cFtJZyXD6L0YAuDfhro7/s320/Image+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFhsSZi3TlbKbNHJgjZ-5SIqd5PAi3pVAeUuR7XHFBS5ejKkhVz46DXuP0CDPujCOu3RbtU5xZKtljUY6R0kiNvdP3n1Tnqj_KmbOw9HCs3C2zASbrtmubgyQ-mBxAsfLUo5nmwCuBFX6/s1600/Image+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFhsSZi3TlbKbNHJgjZ-5SIqd5PAi3pVAeUuR7XHFBS5ejKkhVz46DXuP0CDPujCOu3RbtU5xZKtljUY6R0kiNvdP3n1Tnqj_KmbOw9HCs3C2zASbrtmubgyQ-mBxAsfLUo5nmwCuBFX6/s320/Image+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even the cards more or less agreed<br /></td></tr>
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Only a fraction of the loot, too numerous to chronicle.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTd7Yvm3GMBy7jc2TGaiaFPMZyZZiL4Kw9URJ6foU_L3raYrF-zWiMQFT131EZwIsUsO9mI3CoKUoDcKsAdUhQWw92LPDUjeMo69sVUecy77mLJxgmUV6eE3YzbzTFtBmpKxyZBoewFkG8/s1600/Image+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTd7Yvm3GMBy7jc2TGaiaFPMZyZZiL4Kw9URJ6foU_L3raYrF-zWiMQFT131EZwIsUsO9mI3CoKUoDcKsAdUhQWw92LPDUjeMo69sVUecy77mLJxgmUV6eE3YzbzTFtBmpKxyZBoewFkG8/s320/Image+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this doesn't fit floral theme, but very "sweet" of a special 9 year old</td></tr>
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<br />A steady stream of calla lilies from a friend awaited at my door for almost two weeks. On the fourth try, the order was finally fulfilled correctly.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmBQeWNvaiBByCJanAdBqVaMsj1J5GV-RcbhhznC_yeKUwmVXah8qd-obzoMZI8Xb7qVxtMOqZBPHROn6K4k7EoUMTls-IeKVmTsEUkTGmuf-LAyFiJOCVryeRu17ar4jzgAKGdxk6stm/s1600/Image+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmBQeWNvaiBByCJanAdBqVaMsj1J5GV-RcbhhznC_yeKUwmVXah8qd-obzoMZI8Xb7qVxtMOqZBPHROn6K4k7EoUMTls-IeKVmTsEUkTGmuf-LAyFiJOCVryeRu17ar4jzgAKGdxk6stm/s320/Image+12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">calla haven, 35 total stems</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1peC_fZXBFpUogEO_WpJdRQlIr1U9nySkneDmd_MNtv6yMx_hC7kBVmk-029D6ixF74QdZGVX2TMz9aNPDrZeJt6qpVeYmg6yMGU9t_l7wTZU9WZOVY9N_voZbBIyUUc0dj4Ti5RPvNU/s1600/Image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1peC_fZXBFpUogEO_WpJdRQlIr1U9nySkneDmd_MNtv6yMx_hC7kBVmk-029D6ixF74QdZGVX2TMz9aNPDrZeJt6qpVeYmg6yMGU9t_l7wTZU9WZOVY9N_voZbBIyUUc0dj4Ti5RPvNU/s320/Image+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">abundance of white callas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpY_ZLAGrwZnuS2zo4hSfQeMhb2u9QN_4lBZc5ESqj3yGWN0mnU5BU2l-Z-RAFbwmAaNYkd4LGONPnalGALsswPAOdH4UcYDXstw9czmLVg8amfNqQAtbr9QEYkP9rfjardcCjN3tchgX/s1600/Image+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpY_ZLAGrwZnuS2zo4hSfQeMhb2u9QN_4lBZc5ESqj3yGWN0mnU5BU2l-Z-RAFbwmAaNYkd4LGONPnalGALsswPAOdH4UcYDXstw9czmLVg8amfNqQAtbr9QEYkP9rfjardcCjN3tchgX/s320/Image+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><br />March is the month that says:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZLuQWWIw3bNCNR2pGpsXSAcFqn6IN9prirFlDGFBrIsPkMkctb45bYkd9AA8s7Z6YN1K6qEgb6ph-S2kCvPbK6lkS6xy4OI_Y9CIIwQJRSF01aG3rEDsslH5VcV0HDEVly08W3Vs6WIR/s1600/Image+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZLuQWWIw3bNCNR2pGpsXSAcFqn6IN9prirFlDGFBrIsPkMkctb45bYkd9AA8s7Z6YN1K6qEgb6ph-S2kCvPbK6lkS6xy4OI_Y9CIIwQJRSF01aG3rEDsslH5VcV0HDEVly08W3Vs6WIR/s320/Image+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was a gift from my sister from her last trip to Hong Kong, it has since been hanging on my wall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQTFgbXyZvYHO60dxLvq3O-jMB4ZL5VSlcHYenOwO0L-NdWzkaCmdbPCGDYZg-7L9wFc1DwXQBnOkf-LfLaW7SnvwC7Wibedprnc-HEy60wACpbZsFmJxEvAix9X_Z04Gh7uxCnp0ZVmE/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQTFgbXyZvYHO60dxLvq3O-jMB4ZL5VSlcHYenOwO0L-NdWzkaCmdbPCGDYZg-7L9wFc1DwXQBnOkf-LfLaW7SnvwC7Wibedprnc-HEy60wACpbZsFmJxEvAix9X_Z04Gh7uxCnp0ZVmE/s320/Image.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
It is a scroll of the Chinese character for "blessed" in various calligraphic styles. Though I may not be religious, she is a Christian and the columns to the right are bible verses. I can't read it, but appreciate it as a piece of art.<br />
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All of this to convey, how truly BLESSED I am.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzV44qczJTYmn1r1lTr64D9LkFWlHnoAHqgD0N8GfchX6JNKos6oTKTZx_Z8xRIOYh_gvUcBKYjjQEe3cfZ_TV1PrUHliDpHl7CeddzSh7NPhT7IywM9ULN0aiO6jZtWI2D6OtcRIbGR4/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzV44qczJTYmn1r1lTr64D9LkFWlHnoAHqgD0N8GfchX6JNKos6oTKTZx_Z8xRIOYh_gvUcBKYjjQEe3cfZ_TV1PrUHliDpHl7CeddzSh7NPhT7IywM9ULN0aiO6jZtWI2D6OtcRIbGR4/s320/Image+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"blessed" in relief and recessed</td></tr>
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Despite the gentle reminder of our vulnerabilities, to have "health" is bliss and blessed.</div>
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caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-29636278762924998192013-02-01T23:49:00.000-05:002013-02-01T23:56:09.679-05:00newish year, new chapter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A new year is upon us again, only 11 months left. For the last couple of years, the dawn of this time of year couldn't come quicker because the new year is symbolic of a new start. Time is absolutely telling and healing. I knew this, but never more affirming than living through it. Whether I am prepared or not, it always seems to fly by. This time, this year, FINALLY, I am grateful that I no longer have to confront the same intense toxic emotions. Of course, it is too bad for incidental encounters as local establishments are to have such unfortunate staff. But, that is beyond my control.<br />
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One of the most rewarding experiences this summer was the three weeks spent in one of my most favorite and beautiful countries, Italy. More than 7000 images was not enough to capture the enormity and the most magical of places. The sheer volume of pictures are overwhelming, even now the task of choosing a few representative photos are too daunting. I have modest mini paintings in pastel, my first attempt ever at painting anything. The first week of the trip was spent in a villa in Umbria, workshop with <a href="http://lindarichichi.com/">Linda Richichi</a>, an amazing pastel artist, and photography with <a href="http://www.maryannglass.com/">Mary Ann Glass</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf92V4r_SjtWj-INZgVm68a-GKRWdrMom0wwOTqDz5jLuEvYf73sJ_DJKePk9bM_1xSVvC2gbFAD1bV8I44wba-zf8Uk0Y_XZke-YKP7fYCNYH4kRXkQbCrTBuaM8Lw2_H5Oj-djuELjY1/s1600/IMG_6865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf92V4r_SjtWj-INZgVm68a-GKRWdrMom0wwOTqDz5jLuEvYf73sJ_DJKePk9bM_1xSVvC2gbFAD1bV8I44wba-zf8Uk0Y_XZke-YKP7fYCNYH4kRXkQbCrTBuaM8Lw2_H5Oj-djuELjY1/s400/IMG_6865.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dusk at the Villa</td></tr>
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The pastel paintings were meant to be five minute quick sketches as they were done plein air, value studies for bigger paintings later if one should feel so inclined. Except, I can't work fast and large scale is intimidating. In my case, these were "multiple hour mini paintings". All are 2.5" x 3.5", except the two bigger next to mini is 4" x 6".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlvCQ4FW1jFBNC5caBIHZaKJIRhHJTIFBjzBU9SRgSoScN-er-3wGcc2CZ-m9yVli5fv7pl_M8NYZBJLTs2wfA3q-j9_z2dISCfTIDWCbuzUVFdGzzTf0QsojTrEZQSZvF3l1-DJqTN7y/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlvCQ4FW1jFBNC5caBIHZaKJIRhHJTIFBjzBU9SRgSoScN-er-3wGcc2CZ-m9yVli5fv7pl_M8NYZBJLTs2wfA3q-j9_z2dISCfTIDWCbuzUVFdGzzTf0QsojTrEZQSZvF3l1-DJqTN7y/s320/Image.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from Villa, this mini study is my favorite</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsg4NF6268-M9ZxpO3p6q8WTlKwJd-MBVgT1tJ99e4oNXhyphenhyphen5MDIUIyyLkRJHbEiYzErq83Zfj-VzorNvF5147kU6UgUE9Mp-FPgqbRnSwymywSt-VhepdX9RoE5Iap-pftylST2uyJKLFt/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsg4NF6268-M9ZxpO3p6q8WTlKwJd-MBVgT1tJ99e4oNXhyphenhyphen5MDIUIyyLkRJHbEiYzErq83Zfj-VzorNvF5147kU6UgUE9Mp-FPgqbRnSwymywSt-VhepdX9RoE5Iap-pftylST2uyJKLFt/s320/Image+1.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">top right was my first one at the Villa. The other two are at a sunflower field close by<br />
(the gray blobs are supposed to be olive trees)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ih8BJgYKByyY9d1Npy4oe8F16ouyefPrUUTjfbE5VCNRjs_2P2CgBcWQMSyPMVl7LsNbYszJndKKkKTqqLDaZXkdhAxxIPh0aBRMuMAz5tszF4pGGOzN5NUyGviQVMiVAfsJDdvkihur/s1600/IMG_6883+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ih8BJgYKByyY9d1Npy4oe8F16ouyefPrUUTjfbE5VCNRjs_2P2CgBcWQMSyPMVl7LsNbYszJndKKkKTqqLDaZXkdhAxxIPh0aBRMuMAz5tszF4pGGOzN5NUyGviQVMiVAfsJDdvkihur/s320/IMG_6883+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this photo is a better visual </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzPo5zelhQN5xw-9e4GzhtQznq1rJedaTyDOh9WSwm2VpOU7yexKyfbWnBovh1wzhijXzJL9bbI0vVPFUKhEXzo29BFywkxphJfB0Tv0CaFW1IsQGof0QIJqwig3M1mxgKHwRf3YD0AWz/s1600/IMG_6677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzPo5zelhQN5xw-9e4GzhtQznq1rJedaTyDOh9WSwm2VpOU7yexKyfbWnBovh1wzhijXzJL9bbI0vVPFUKhEXzo29BFywkxphJfB0Tv0CaFW1IsQGof0QIJqwig3M1mxgKHwRf3YD0AWz/s320/IMG_6677.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was where we were situated for painting session</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dLQ7oG2Az6gjERwII1bszx9msPHJMoQsXD0XS5ub6xf1-T11fCLmzBUWRgcNTI4n1pOUZ70mdO6gdCNGWbyB2QLc_IWFPphRguMEDaZx2DYV0far0iEs9Xq6moBkacaji37fHKcj1qUz/s1600/Image+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dLQ7oG2Az6gjERwII1bszx9msPHJMoQsXD0XS5ub6xf1-T11fCLmzBUWRgcNTI4n1pOUZ70mdO6gdCNGWbyB2QLc_IWFPphRguMEDaZx2DYV0far0iEs9Xq6moBkacaji37fHKcj1qUz/s320/Image+5.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another view from Villa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09WkUXu6srhhVTDQ4AA92NuLSpMSC0UtNvIHxNoDeOntLvwM-UZePrbO0RIVBPCNPQiekModuyJBqo5mhIiF9pn9x8qxwbsd_vs23zxf6d0o2FvLmSltvyfwJnJcjbRnbO-F2mKX4vZtS/s1600/Image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09WkUXu6srhhVTDQ4AA92NuLSpMSC0UtNvIHxNoDeOntLvwM-UZePrbO0RIVBPCNPQiekModuyJBqo5mhIiF9pn9x8qxwbsd_vs23zxf6d0o2FvLmSltvyfwJnJcjbRnbO-F2mKX4vZtS/s320/Image+2.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more from the Villa, the bottom was the sky, mostly fudged, <br />
but i'm sure at some point at dusk that evening, it was close</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLGTN91H2UrlVzS21quvE3EwhPJeq9mJXAvX_0avjUNheq3jHXcFROqP-v2N4H0KSjvBaPAXp0OrNGmgJMUheSgGew_5gsjiHKdJ5BGSDi11Lto2AKHv2ZicDjirRTcTowR-oaVpRg_rI/s1600/IMG_5932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLGTN91H2UrlVzS21quvE3EwhPJeq9mJXAvX_0avjUNheq3jHXcFROqP-v2N4H0KSjvBaPAXp0OrNGmgJMUheSgGew_5gsjiHKdJ5BGSDi11Lto2AKHv2ZicDjirRTcTowR-oaVpRg_rI/s320/IMG_5932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these are the photos to prove it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLer3BbnHnngkQJGx-enQBAk9X0ZEQberDRTC8LM5sXJKH0C9CbbXFfiWl6oYppg-LcnC2shAZ9bkgsLW5BlyIcMqEXf7mLGK4lLF0Fb0i9WVcFwMihYdjfpMy-fLpbiyqFqXnr1EnQVWH/s1600/IMG_5901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLer3BbnHnngkQJGx-enQBAk9X0ZEQberDRTC8LM5sXJKH0C9CbbXFfiWl6oYppg-LcnC2shAZ9bkgsLW5BlyIcMqEXf7mLGK4lLF0Fb0i9WVcFwMihYdjfpMy-fLpbiyqFqXnr1EnQVWH/s320/IMG_5901.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this one was just as the sun was setting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXxbxuTJ4B63csgoH5ymj7WSPhWJqxzMawMicCpeYIdY4OSkMbo5vP7w9nKrhHA2z19wvRbnbZAIgNxqSTWkUeWn4lLHqlMS0XmUuhrMlJsMMoPPu8HL6Qswn6PQOixcVS5IiO37GNf9L/s1600/IMG_4292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXxbxuTJ4B63csgoH5ymj7WSPhWJqxzMawMicCpeYIdY4OSkMbo5vP7w9nKrhHA2z19wvRbnbZAIgNxqSTWkUeWn4lLHqlMS0XmUuhrMlJsMMoPPu8HL6Qswn6PQOixcVS5IiO37GNf9L/s320/IMG_4292.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was my only quick sketch of the Villa on the day of arrival</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJl3lfGn34cluCWIYOSEqx0ShCeQ26SZMBTCZU3hnRNkbKoQee8miz-wicpZm4dsaxFwOs0khLo1SVkuzTAIVn28wYs5d0WOO7UC_sc-feDev8616sl2MofhD4NmZ8QMD2JSUeh7LCsao/s1600/Image+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJl3lfGn34cluCWIYOSEqx0ShCeQ26SZMBTCZU3hnRNkbKoQee8miz-wicpZm4dsaxFwOs0khLo1SVkuzTAIVn28wYs5d0WOO7UC_sc-feDev8616sl2MofhD4NmZ8QMD2JSUeh7LCsao/s320/Image+3.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these two are at Borghese Gardens in Rome</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp4wEx1a-jD8YPm8HQ_MMAH_s4mvOTxQoyvJvA28e9wuJkaVxJKfSiDjHLs1FvXSIU1KCnjd5My6A7pJdSAJ8R6ISaSK6sl5YlLPyyokjd5NUtFck34yWVrLG-mxFRPJB31KNusi-OR4q/s1600/Image+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp4wEx1a-jD8YPm8HQ_MMAH_s4mvOTxQoyvJvA28e9wuJkaVxJKfSiDjHLs1FvXSIU1KCnjd5My6A7pJdSAJ8R6ISaSK6sl5YlLPyyokjd5NUtFck34yWVrLG-mxFRPJB31KNusi-OR4q/s320/Image+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these are in Menaggio on Lake Como</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxoJXQ62VWlYRRNRQpmE7Lg5847CrPyj5c_f16z2W-lPMCbNhzXpPEhWpgZDvStabyLj5j6VMaHeZJHwvnPBMg92zLnpiO-0f_nyLAU26gVm-P6w-0JQO4wfl4EwXiA5IU8tXh-RHrmVb/s1600/IMG_8873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxoJXQ62VWlYRRNRQpmE7Lg5847CrPyj5c_f16z2W-lPMCbNhzXpPEhWpgZDvStabyLj5j6VMaHeZJHwvnPBMg92zLnpiO-0f_nyLAU26gVm-P6w-0JQO4wfl4EwXiA5IU8tXh-RHrmVb/s320/IMG_8873.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was the inspirational view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1QuV78Q-VPueMsBjIr44bgzLfNjINQQi5rckgZq9-jq5M3BNjaxc0CIM1gCpOsNs7rUkcy4SET1zibLXiD7sw5nXnVFjU9vP0Cu1V6OgURcLjafzbeOodh2jdqLKUegfZ4obMx_at__O/s1600/IMG_9227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1QuV78Q-VPueMsBjIr44bgzLfNjINQQi5rckgZq9-jq5M3BNjaxc0CIM1gCpOsNs7rUkcy4SET1zibLXiD7sw5nXnVFjU9vP0Cu1V6OgURcLjafzbeOodh2jdqLKUegfZ4obMx_at__O/s320/IMG_9227.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one more</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqGKXSUc02kMn7jOEuBEoPhNU9PCZv7Hbg2jJfQDXfSfZZFCod7QSFI0Q6Y9kD3CxLf3-GG9OhYumtUAFYantQo3egEgkJvRtkh0-Yxzn_vIG-WO_goLKr4g5RrMrsih6xM_NmtTw3hvv/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqGKXSUc02kMn7jOEuBEoPhNU9PCZv7Hbg2jJfQDXfSfZZFCod7QSFI0Q6Y9kD3CxLf3-GG9OhYumtUAFYantQo3egEgkJvRtkh0-Yxzn_vIG-WO_goLKr4g5RrMrsih6xM_NmtTw3hvv/s320/IMG_0402.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another</td></tr>
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There are infinite images, some more of which may make it's way over for. For now, this glimpse is enough.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xYAVUPBcpPzGkQYBl1ogMcctCSkVixeWCg30fNfStW88Sc0c6pz9twXti3GSm_E1FTguFWDXHFjBgPIGDUYb2rzrLd_it6D3VvLaKpq1JFl6B4Xx-UDeEX7ES6ANL2Gwy9WNYFUmZGEP/s1600/Image+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xYAVUPBcpPzGkQYBl1ogMcctCSkVixeWCg30fNfStW88Sc0c6pz9twXti3GSm_E1FTguFWDXHFjBgPIGDUYb2rzrLd_it6D3VvLaKpq1JFl6B4Xx-UDeEX7ES6ANL2Gwy9WNYFUmZGEP/s320/Image+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these I purchased from the master, <a href="http://lindarichichi.com/">Linda Richichi</a><br />
one can see why I hardly qualify as "student"</td></tr>
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I approached this trip with an open mind and I wanted the opportunity to have real time away from my environment. As for personal insight, I don't know that there will ever be "absolute clarity", as there is rarely anything so definitive, but I returned with the notion and the ability to feel that I can start a new chapter in my life.<br />
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There were a lot of knitting UFOs' for the holidays. As always, I reprimand myself for not starting my crafty projects earlier. But I managed to squeeze in a couple of enameled ornaments. So, <strike>next year</strike> this year when I vow to start earlier, more may be made.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jB-lDUbxp5ad20SUohrh76nUef9AJTH-R4rIcQipyrKnRRZlpD1BwkpMrM3w5Wecz6Mbr71VGdy0g4I9DZptgAnjp-0GMkmBt5JAA7aJ_6oc6MpYae8xVQUbip_LCKV8eBKc_kCZnImY/s1600/IMG_6817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jB-lDUbxp5ad20SUohrh76nUef9AJTH-R4rIcQipyrKnRRZlpD1BwkpMrM3w5Wecz6Mbr71VGdy0g4I9DZptgAnjp-0GMkmBt5JAA7aJ_6oc6MpYae8xVQUbip_LCKV8eBKc_kCZnImY/s320/IMG_6817.JPG" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mitten</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJXDZudAwBNpNsSTNdATzbEzrTC29A3Yw06zFUsGXXWsvbeUVnij0UAld4xY68t0OfTrTxiqAgaqcLALsY_895gNSiYyOksGfVhZbFSLbB0xxQTqzpri4XZ67gCjOSofEIJmZC55H6NFj/s1600/IMG_6818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJXDZudAwBNpNsSTNdATzbEzrTC29A3Yw06zFUsGXXWsvbeUVnij0UAld4xY68t0OfTrTxiqAgaqcLALsY_895gNSiYyOksGfVhZbFSLbB0xxQTqzpri4XZ67gCjOSofEIJmZC55H6NFj/s320/IMG_6818.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stocking, there were a whole lot personalized</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbLiFcECzLrFod9K3hCe3i2d9fTj83yNSIEGGwtaYaNsF8S_n0VlluyjVEMXLo7QU91WXQy_a3Ko2Nkl5rBj6rxwZjH51Q-9u8xXkGc-8wwsw3QhNJE9ge5WU1brvyFi-YiSKlKyhM_8I/s1600/IMG_7568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbLiFcECzLrFod9K3hCe3i2d9fTj83yNSIEGGwtaYaNsF8S_n0VlluyjVEMXLo7QU91WXQy_a3Ko2Nkl5rBj6rxwZjH51Q-9u8xXkGc-8wwsw3QhNJE9ge5WU1brvyFi-YiSKlKyhM_8I/s320/IMG_7568.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"family tree" for my sisters</td></tr>
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The tradition of making and decorating Christmas cookies prevails. Of course, this year there was an enthusiastic recruit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbPTgAP1sO_sUcxq_zJ4w-HLT9hhyphenhyphenr3qGJMhjR-7LJoibh_BaEYhrOgbYjb-fWpkKPai4zcfjgda32a48L0U7oI1IynbjXsSUksTU4tjlNIc18FVza-x_-wq6BjChQ7uPVJxLHWGKDRkE/s1600/Image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbPTgAP1sO_sUcxq_zJ4w-HLT9hhyphenhyphenr3qGJMhjR-7LJoibh_BaEYhrOgbYjb-fWpkKPai4zcfjgda32a48L0U7oI1IynbjXsSUksTU4tjlNIc18FVza-x_-wq6BjChQ7uPVJxLHWGKDRkE/s320/Image+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">niece so proud of her decorated by self snowman</td></tr>
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Gratitude, that is prominent on my mind. I am grateful for the persistent family and friends, for the new friends, stronger bonds, new experiences, and for the personal growth. Life is a collection of changes, and they are not always bad. As long as I can validate with my own standards that this "change" has meaning to my sense of reality, then I can't go wrong. </div>
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caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-3406852490800059192012-06-28T01:50:00.000-04:002012-06-28T01:50:01.446-04:00ciao italia!Somehow, somewhere, some people, "conspired" to have this happen...<br />
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Made these for a few people of whom I will share this adventure... experience of which I would have everything to gain.<br />
I hoped for this time away to give me much insight and "clarity". What I learn instead is to sometimes expect the unexpected, great things happen when you least expect, and are sometimes unplanned. I go with an open mind, and allow this experience to actualize to what it's all meant to be...caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-86070576794683735252012-06-27T01:07:00.000-04:002012-06-27T01:07:04.886-04:00memoriamThere are rare individuals we meet, a connection and bond is formed, seemingly unlikely and inexplicable in certain ways, but makes an impression despite time and distance. One such person is someone I met some years ago, pretty far in distance, mountain time zone, most beautiful and loving soul, empathic, compassionate wife, doting mother of some very lucky boys, and a "rainbow" little girl. She is a woman with strong convictions, but never forceful, only respectful. She has such an understanding of the human psyche, highly intellectual, and the most <a href="http://reflectionsofabutterfly.blogspot.com/">beautiful writer</a>, with much honesty and truth, much prose, and a way with words that is so touching. I can't relate to her tremendous losses, but I find comfort by the power of her words, her truth. I feel the intensity of her words, her heart. We were only in each other's company for about two weeks, and I have lost the bond connecting me to the periodic and personal updates. It is only through social media, of which I rarely partake, that I am kept abreast of her happenings. She may not know it, but is a person I draw strength.<br />
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My intentions were to have the "gifts" in her possession by Earth Day, because I know the significance of that day to her. But, the procrastinator in me said by Mother's Day which turned into Memorial Day, because it would mean remembering two special souls, then into as soon as I can is better than not at all. Nonetheless, they are finished, and shall soon be sent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAmRCbPJyqFU2tZBFSKHn01i72jdJOVfP72SGz6bNhRfqSMIc0UltWuHqMhp2JtX95pqNmh-vxMg2kxtgsPUUwSxjO4IKrhh9Vh-dCozkKAz_Ke0JXa9pZlfPo6SDOnGc_bnN4L88548o/s1600/IMG_3131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAmRCbPJyqFU2tZBFSKHn01i72jdJOVfP72SGz6bNhRfqSMIc0UltWuHqMhp2JtX95pqNmh-vxMg2kxtgsPUUwSxjO4IKrhh9Vh-dCozkKAz_Ke0JXa9pZlfPo6SDOnGc_bnN4L88548o/s320/IMG_3131.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"un"<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/well--dressed-bunny"> dressed bunny, by Barbara Prim</a>e</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">well-dressed bunny with her "rainbow" pinafore</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back, gathered a crocheted chain for the tail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watching over</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFhpKywYAZ9j5oqMaG4mqOLfJkcHIRPnzKEbN0YmedBlQdvure1jPkjR_7CJ7knEDLkbixbqQDvb7lXHgSXT7yo0IkKgWs0MWxeNGRK-OkkynRAv7SvYOJTZB-3MpBzBeqfpD9sgCBnZc/s1600/IMG_3171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFhpKywYAZ9j5oqMaG4mqOLfJkcHIRPnzKEbN0YmedBlQdvure1jPkjR_7CJ7knEDLkbixbqQDvb7lXHgSXT7yo0IkKgWs0MWxeNGRK-OkkynRAv7SvYOJTZB-3MpBzBeqfpD9sgCBnZc/s320/IMG_3171.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">two special souls</td></tr>
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Though she will receive these momentos a little later than I had hoped, the sentiments are most sincere. I hope Ali V likes her bunny, and a key ring for her mom to keep close... If I should ever to be in that role, I only hope to be a fraction of the "mom" that she is!<br />
<br />caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-18482270084700851092012-05-22T23:52:00.000-04:002012-05-22T23:52:56.507-04:00post BOS, philanthropic pursuits...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anxiety, sleep deprivation, hesitancy...with <a href="http://www.beaconopenstudios.org/">BOS</a> over, almost a month now, I am finally getting around to writing about it. In hindsight, I am glad that I participated. The positive feedback and practical strangers acknowledging and telling me that they like my work was nice reinforcement, makes me feel legitimate. Everything leading up to it, and everything I managed to accomplish for it was all a step in the right direction. Not only did it give me direction, but provided the motivation for me to create. I only hope to perpetuate this momentum somehow. Ironically enough, even from the perspective of an anxious introvert, one of the biggest gains was talking to, and meeting all the wonderful and talented people. I was in a room with 5 other immensely talented individuals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLeO2ipP_dfj5vXXQ2RtlOiOZ5medJszCiTcs4u1mNiyZI9dJKjn7fTWOl2ztTzoGLVhsbhCUFZO43x3iCbpOjubCBUhU26Z-UjVNKQuqLdWDLn4cptrGmp5cw702oRkvVTirlw6bH53x/s1600/DSC00727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLeO2ipP_dfj5vXXQ2RtlOiOZ5medJszCiTcs4u1mNiyZI9dJKjn7fTWOl2ztTzoGLVhsbhCUFZO43x3iCbpOjubCBUhU26Z-UjVNKQuqLdWDLn4cptrGmp5cw702oRkvVTirlw6bH53x/s320/DSC00727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.science-art.com/member/?id=79">Chris Sanders</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhNf5G0bpk7jL2puSQ0vhza98Af7vJ6cIumwfZbUt0U5tpMb4sKteiWkgSkIgn20Le59wu-tHnwDuptPIdtgj0sXVbr9WNArZ712Xb7B0XoesRce5KkMjcP0Ly2VumRjOJtfOF7Y0QYyj/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhNf5G0bpk7jL2puSQ0vhza98Af7vJ6cIumwfZbUt0U5tpMb4sKteiWkgSkIgn20Le59wu-tHnwDuptPIdtgj0sXVbr9WNArZ712Xb7B0XoesRce5KkMjcP0Ly2VumRjOJtfOF7Y0QYyj/s320/Image+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.edvermehren.com/">Ed Vermehren</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_L-vkJzfair0Bx6rU1gVnAck_22zFx4olGwI0CaHQZf8wZ2gsTuaWouZ7X5a4YK4THP-lmlbOV69wN-ZhG_7_psc04XgumBSFlKqO4LzkwDzxeC1Ix1VLdyB_YF8do3iD-pjMGYZFzlQ/s1600/DSC00728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_L-vkJzfair0Bx6rU1gVnAck_22zFx4olGwI0CaHQZf8wZ2gsTuaWouZ7X5a4YK4THP-lmlbOV69wN-ZhG_7_psc04XgumBSFlKqO4LzkwDzxeC1Ix1VLdyB_YF8do3iD-pjMGYZFzlQ/s320/DSC00728.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phobos.ramapo.edu/~jskrzyns/">Jackie Shrzynski</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0ybBjhJ_6NTzouunZl42NaDbrON74a31Cr84kUNh6iAZBOmPj_O0Be5oWHRXuSYPLMzeQQhXMFIuMHeqGPhdQVs7lQV_fuBGnUeNp2fcLTnT9N0UHGSxnCghwrtqan_beetKOcq6Vun_/s1600/DSC00717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0ybBjhJ_6NTzouunZl42NaDbrON74a31Cr84kUNh6iAZBOmPj_O0Be5oWHRXuSYPLMzeQQhXMFIuMHeqGPhdQVs7lQV_fuBGnUeNp2fcLTnT9N0UHGSxnCghwrtqan_beetKOcq6Vun_/s320/DSC00717.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beeworks.biz/contact.html">Barbara Hanson</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28prwPf6hrP4pnzHLBMS2P7OHda_tMm3zw7Dar0gpwz98ZGkaJhM9tj5MT0cPZVlEWQocvg68V2lEFLdzA1n57BhtgNg0X-xcj2c5yBVtPdbN82jKfiRzgqAXy05m4_PNfYvdLq5FrNcG/s1600/DSC00720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28prwPf6hrP4pnzHLBMS2P7OHda_tMm3zw7Dar0gpwz98ZGkaJhM9tj5MT0cPZVlEWQocvg68V2lEFLdzA1n57BhtgNg0X-xcj2c5yBVtPdbN82jKfiRzgqAXy05m4_PNfYvdLq5FrNcG/s320/DSC00720.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kokmatoys.com/">Amy C. Wilson</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx4RtuwwcxGztmDJ8VjhBmKOYZENXC-KPkknDD5ny_kZJf3Tio9l1V6o8VHMe9mRfA8bcxp6QXiw3C7jZFZeK9I-OxQU3XfUU2MVJnXb4i5DbhINtuXiKUR8XL3-LOyzaGgciYNDKAof2/s1600/DSC00708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx4RtuwwcxGztmDJ8VjhBmKOYZENXC-KPkknDD5ny_kZJf3Tio9l1V6o8VHMe9mRfA8bcxp6QXiw3C7jZFZeK9I-OxQU3XfUU2MVJnXb4i5DbhINtuXiKUR8XL3-LOyzaGgciYNDKAof2/s320/DSC00708.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.caimingcheung.com/">me</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZGLSG7TShG6SlkT2EvXsDoZAJEMLn2Jx5JNRkuaEba0opsbIoaPZwTbeJy7TTRHtDn2Vh6pO8Y3MUTRpa-7WYUhlbiSDjzXu503mqrYys_VOa1xueMrxyi0eSpGmhiUMVym0n7kp3uV9/s1600/DSC00733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZGLSG7TShG6SlkT2EvXsDoZAJEMLn2Jx5JNRkuaEba0opsbIoaPZwTbeJy7TTRHtDn2Vh6pO8Y3MUTRpa-7WYUhlbiSDjzXu503mqrYys_VOa1xueMrxyi0eSpGmhiUMVym0n7kp3uV9/s320/DSC00733.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuz_N4q34du_CC2dUyYEST2ZcVmm0fgI5820qE6QqfvhBLKjQRJWSLtyd-ZTZo5zY8d_udKqcivGf7fxcu6CByMPmW-qQN5YvKG8kD7G16P1ViPSi1JeeFp5bBuTuHkc35AD9Tp5Byuu6/s1600/DSC00725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuz_N4q34du_CC2dUyYEST2ZcVmm0fgI5820qE6QqfvhBLKjQRJWSLtyd-ZTZo5zY8d_udKqcivGf7fxcu6CByMPmW-qQN5YvKG8kD7G16P1ViPSi1JeeFp5bBuTuHkc35AD9Tp5Byuu6/s320/DSC00725.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the space</td></tr>
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I love supporting local art. If only I had a larger disposable budget! My acquisitions included the following,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8Pffb0qyJJ-H5qnK-oynpeffPHW2GkPGbtya1zjVcJSNYkVO5e7QOkXEJH2TEoyKt2v1eoB-rSwFZBUlDkfHMSTvEPK0saGiK1faOMQXRHxEFkNtdRqISWSrBwjEgIM_OrHdTQT_zDkN/s1600/DSC00779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8Pffb0qyJJ-H5qnK-oynpeffPHW2GkPGbtya1zjVcJSNYkVO5e7QOkXEJH2TEoyKt2v1eoB-rSwFZBUlDkfHMSTvEPK0saGiK1faOMQXRHxEFkNtdRqISWSrBwjEgIM_OrHdTQT_zDkN/s320/DSC00779.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kathleenandersenart.squarespace.com/">Kathleen Andersen</a>, glass terrarium pendant light</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qMZSQIYo992P_lvxXrYAmORd0vjQBPPiOcKS-tPvWtwSvuaGznvQSWupvNXrWh4KbfOHuZew3yr5Y68Vab_ioc6E5f0LJd0iAKF1u_vXh8Xgn4cGINYEAn3j1UTlySafjPx33iwOymkg/s1600/DSC00797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qMZSQIYo992P_lvxXrYAmORd0vjQBPPiOcKS-tPvWtwSvuaGznvQSWupvNXrWh4KbfOHuZew3yr5Y68Vab_ioc6E5f0LJd0iAKF1u_vXh8Xgn4cGINYEAn3j1UTlySafjPx33iwOymkg/s320/DSC00797.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">art by <a href="http://margotk.blogspot.com/2012/04/phew.html#comment-form">Margot Kingon</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJi2wciL6gXvL7Oxkw3qoyXLMt4Yhi2l-YRZ8XhyphenhyphenPHve1UEFYFos22GAS5jKEM3C44OilANhzWJ9tx_Gwb_1bZUUJehzbGpAHYTBhw3IN9vVZG4siEB25j_hfofR8QyG_ZtGInyTWuYtB/s1600/DSC00796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJi2wciL6gXvL7Oxkw3qoyXLMt4Yhi2l-YRZ8XhyphenhyphenPHve1UEFYFos22GAS5jKEM3C44OilANhzWJ9tx_Gwb_1bZUUJehzbGpAHYTBhw3IN9vVZG4siEB25j_hfofR8QyG_ZtGInyTWuYtB/s320/DSC00796.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kokma Toys by Amy C. Wilson</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGx3rNwCUXd6DP-pZXK3xM4QDJrP89doDikfbAwz6OMt3A_bnvXqwsGHyCnLYAt5MT_qShUMPEQW7TcF1f31XxAlj7XpExF_aAPCBS1lPhNuyWtqgUP17TsixOGOLWmR4qJvWbwytSLaR/s1600/DSC00800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGx3rNwCUXd6DP-pZXK3xM4QDJrP89doDikfbAwz6OMt3A_bnvXqwsGHyCnLYAt5MT_qShUMPEQW7TcF1f31XxAlj7XpExF_aAPCBS1lPhNuyWtqgUP17TsixOGOLWmR4qJvWbwytSLaR/s320/DSC00800.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pillow by Barbara Hanson, anything with architecture and windows, need i say more!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9n2Ysuiq34GtYRvTW9SQbznXkHaENhmsgtUxMiVY5xgMk4jXpdmmd3zRRFrYDtZyi4yNWdqcu0_AzGDBoSNsYsAanN_KW-6NsTy2eGW4rKFbBrEiq7j5zJX_1UZJRkDCzthrgppflRYz/s1600/DSC00798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9n2Ysuiq34GtYRvTW9SQbznXkHaENhmsgtUxMiVY5xgMk4jXpdmmd3zRRFrYDtZyi4yNWdqcu0_AzGDBoSNsYsAanN_KW-6NsTy2eGW4rKFbBrEiq7j5zJX_1UZJRkDCzthrgppflRYz/s320/DSC00798.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">limited edition AAARRRRRTT! shirts by Chris Sanders</td></tr>
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Most importantly, it was the philanthropic efforts of a very special 4 year old, Leila, that stole my heart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvD5pL08H2xMUN9-WuF_q6aZBHqo2vU1QyJ4j0oQNPY8cFkB3Efso5iO6wJkkmcY0vle7vmKEnRFeOV1jVJ1NMSySe7SAUMRi557xATbzxJd2QfDHS7gpln89bEbaRLRf9ehEhrBAzasB/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvD5pL08H2xMUN9-WuF_q6aZBHqo2vU1QyJ4j0oQNPY8cFkB3Efso5iO6wJkkmcY0vle7vmKEnRFeOV1jVJ1NMSySe7SAUMRi557xATbzxJd2QfDHS7gpln89bEbaRLRf9ehEhrBAzasB/s400/Image.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
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A humble suggestion and modest effort on my part, her delectable chocolate chip cookies, and the generous donations of the people filtering through that weekend, a very respectable total was raised for her cause.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J4NBmKrDULMOJ0NklhzS1PgHf3WYr95-WV3KQoWHkHOCB3XUlotWBDuMSIR9IxyVtY0qA7sTqPIXlUw4War_0u8742pj2wuD0aXI_FvT6h1SI3v9mYV4ycU3jLKsvVX-PCBe8m1gG5S_/s1600/DSC00734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J4NBmKrDULMOJ0NklhzS1PgHf3WYr95-WV3KQoWHkHOCB3XUlotWBDuMSIR9IxyVtY0qA7sTqPIXlUw4War_0u8742pj2wuD0aXI_FvT6h1SI3v9mYV4ycU3jLKsvVX-PCBe8m1gG5S_/s320/DSC00734.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leila with her chocolate chip cookies, young lady with an enormous generous heart!</td></tr>
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My baking contributions<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ctwb565B3vIv0QMe3gZYfwnLyOYOsy6-38SX_f2Plj8VQYs18SJVW2m99VqoJoIKDEvG5uerorb2j4tuF-xFonpIrDJXCtiPlAJe7iKV-_YhLcx8bpyzlKhOH-kxifz7S9nhH_oNc2Fw/s1600/DSC00123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ctwb565B3vIv0QMe3gZYfwnLyOYOsy6-38SX_f2Plj8VQYs18SJVW2m99VqoJoIKDEvG5uerorb2j4tuF-xFonpIrDJXCtiPlAJe7iKV-_YhLcx8bpyzlKhOH-kxifz7S9nhH_oNc2Fw/s320/DSC00123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2007/12/humpy-madeleine/">madeleines by David Lebovitz</a>, sans glaze</td></tr>
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It helped that we had a spread of treats contributed by the participating artists!<br />
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There are new adventures on the horizon! Sometimes when you allow things to just happen, they turn out better than what you plan. I do not consider myself a "spiritual" person. If a roller coaster of emotions is the price to pay for a favorable outcome, then this is a small price. It has to be an "energy" beyond myself, maybe it's an accumulation of my karmic energy rewarding me despite questioning how I could be so deserving. Perhaps, understanding individuals with the power to grant me the time...mystical or not, or both, I am grateful. A very wise friend shared with me today that everything works out as they should when we are not attached to the outcome!</div>caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-52011237165742904152012-04-19T00:06:00.000-04:002012-05-06T22:02:26.299-04:00breathing in the air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Confronted with a strong visceral, intense hostility, and aversion, the word that comes to mind is "hate". I'm not proud to be harboring this emotion for anything, not only because it's not the core of who I am, but the intensity of this "dislike" is wasted on something not worthy of even an inkling of time. I understand the rationale, but reacting only grants it credence. There are encounters of which I cannot control, I hate that this "chance" was enabled by an individual of which I had "once" been afflicted with the opposite emotion. Naturally, exposure develops desensitization. Though I hope to never have this opportunity, my best response would be one of indifference.<br />
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Otherwise, my window is finished!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTGxyjv68oBV5Wd0JFCkNyFTvQFxOEIbkt51HAYn1SWnSwKR5Zvm353X4za7uAeHum3rhVI5CiwWqBVj6unBnVO2LbImQ-IcPSMCiHkVG8bzZN_4EtOuAxzENOi9rn2Mj-o-AFatAD8qz/s1600/DSC00731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTGxyjv68oBV5Wd0JFCkNyFTvQFxOEIbkt51HAYn1SWnSwKR5Zvm353X4za7uAeHum3rhVI5CiwWqBVj6unBnVO2LbImQ-IcPSMCiHkVG8bzZN_4EtOuAxzENOi9rn2Mj-o-AFatAD8qz/s320/DSC00731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with hand fabricated chain, closure with its final incarnation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WRAvXeo_InpgiuSHw01Mv_1BN55WKpjPPFAnL7xcUMbK2i5O_EBSmle35O_71YNWzrfEMYEhBDUOHoavMbFZav37o2TTuGdaddUb6n_J8z38R42cZJIhkOQKeuSW-TRh0O2-JkwsBqT_/s1600/DSC00750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WRAvXeo_InpgiuSHw01Mv_1BN55WKpjPPFAnL7xcUMbK2i5O_EBSmle35O_71YNWzrfEMYEhBDUOHoavMbFZav37o2TTuGdaddUb6n_J8z38R42cZJIhkOQKeuSW-TRh0O2-JkwsBqT_/s320/DSC00750.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my window open</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHBg8OAZoNqXwqkh6yOnvA5SzyYv3C_hWvUoYXlCRP6MhBE_rUOd7qVWNbF_Qr8_w9wuK5l624eka_5KdfkCiS7O466vbsZADR8Xn3hgzLCIVXgscL5zepGiACM54NqyNJ1fvqt0MIkJC/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHBg8OAZoNqXwqkh6yOnvA5SzyYv3C_hWvUoYXlCRP6MhBE_rUOd7qVWNbF_Qr8_w9wuK5l624eka_5KdfkCiS7O466vbsZADR8Xn3hgzLCIVXgscL5zepGiACM54NqyNJ1fvqt0MIkJC/s400/Image.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the hand drawn view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtL7sz75lT5lmkuROHm2pjG6DO547lFfw62E4NMkjZCMcQylj7OA-6WnRf3JUPnhRXk2fBh6us2lYrf8HhjNQOa0ajDVgDQc_jzgVHWChFF6FwaIgdw8hOonAfOOKgGZI1NC4ZCGoLMKi/s1600/DSC00736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtL7sz75lT5lmkuROHm2pjG6DO547lFfw62E4NMkjZCMcQylj7OA-6WnRf3JUPnhRXk2fBh6us2lYrf8HhjNQOa0ajDVgDQc_jzgVHWChFF6FwaIgdw8hOonAfOOKgGZI1NC4ZCGoLMKi/s320/DSC00736.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEido2wyip2iwAvvpl9zV4p2yN9HBLvp7xsIam_Fun06tGV02h_ErdNKmSZzpIo8beo1WTh0rngTf24RNeWdeBE3R98cEfUhIK-BwzbM57WMXNjl-q_y88BLT6O7m_zUo4K0z1IJg4Qqjm1N/s1600/DSC00759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEido2wyip2iwAvvpl9zV4p2yN9HBLvp7xsIam_Fun06tGV02h_ErdNKmSZzpIo8beo1WTh0rngTf24RNeWdeBE3R98cEfUhIK-BwzbM57WMXNjl-q_y88BLT6O7m_zUo4K0z1IJg4Qqjm1N/s320/DSC00759.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that little door knocker, works!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYLpvo-1_-QRKDehRJIwwRTMYaBzfCK6EGyZ33QNjUKIDGZiiv7zkqPoVvakoRF3M1tt8zFIL9WJKe1PuSkafV3hew0oXoUdGVSO-MlyBi6saGjiYLOXQjHiDUvYGg9RQvi2xwH1h8bX2/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYLpvo-1_-QRKDehRJIwwRTMYaBzfCK6EGyZ33QNjUKIDGZiiv7zkqPoVvakoRF3M1tt8zFIL9WJKe1PuSkafV3hew0oXoUdGVSO-MlyBi6saGjiYLOXQjHiDUvYGg9RQvi2xwH1h8bX2/s320/Image+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on display @ <a href="http://www.hudsonbeachglass.com/">Hudson Beach Glass</a>, <a href="http://www.beaconopenstudios.org/">BOS</a> group show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Life is full of lessons. When I can open my eyes and heart to it, windows open. I've unlocked a door. I can feel the fresh air and am "breathing" it in. I'm not only saying and hoping, but actually believing that I will be okay again, maybe, even better than what I was!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-54743475175003579042012-03-27T22:06:00.001-04:002012-03-27T22:10:48.414-04:00starts with a decisionEverything emanates from a decision. It was nice to feel the wind whipping as I <strike>ran</strike>, <strike>jogged</strike>, walked at a brisk pace, on the track again after many months of a sedentary lifestyle. After numerous excuses, and as much as I'd didn't want to do it, I did make the decision, now the work begins with keeping it. I don't know why I was foolish to expect anything less of myself than to reflect on what that track has been in the past. The road may be very familiar and similar, but the journey won't be the same.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7RWWwguIwumROKAR0OJHJzrDIqphARJPCdtf8iDWPw8UV51HDw2j3DYVp_6XrQDWRCULtqkCwkYV_geL6ZU_npdqo0UWkECLrKaYTuzmU4aYaiGxIkZqEYpEyz7TNJS_nj-6bwhZYi5-/s1600/DSC00723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7RWWwguIwumROKAR0OJHJzrDIqphARJPCdtf8iDWPw8UV51HDw2j3DYVp_6XrQDWRCULtqkCwkYV_geL6ZU_npdqo0UWkECLrKaYTuzmU4aYaiGxIkZqEYpEyz7TNJS_nj-6bwhZYi5-/s320/DSC00723.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">door & key, components in the making for a bigger piece</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The key is in my hand, unless I make the decision to unlock the door and walk through, I may never know what's on the other side. This seems like a bunch of cliches, but these trite sayings are truisms I can apply to myself.caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-85583625486267067232012-03-10T00:53:00.000-05:002012-03-10T00:53:19.506-05:00a window opensEons ago, a semester was spent abroad in Siena, Italy. For the drawing class, equipped with sketch pad and ink pen, a field trip was sometimes taken to the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, to just sit and draw, and soak in the landscape. Numerous hours were spent at the campo, duomo, or one of the many alleyways, to sit, draw, people watch, and take in the astounding architecture packed in every square inch of the cityscape.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4KslRIrE4W2FXTyY-37hlfG7aeDumHQHX7-XnVE8JPiQTjVO5kSo9GYTfTc3ibTAMPitwhFpfdlf5QtzFSJOFPR-hFPYhAAy5yEN7MAA6iNhUHzcDWSz8LV-ftX3f-haL5zIZ3T27BSB/s1600/DSC00666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4KslRIrE4W2FXTyY-37hlfG7aeDumHQHX7-XnVE8JPiQTjVO5kSo9GYTfTc3ibTAMPitwhFpfdlf5QtzFSJOFPR-hFPYhAAy5yEN7MAA6iNhUHzcDWSz8LV-ftX3f-haL5zIZ3T27BSB/s320/DSC00666.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for sense of scale, right measures 3"x5.5"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidp2ymGshitW94ISxYhPlVlx_Ju6v-9yupejuLW2Q-uXTGuF7uUWnQJ6Py8vgVdebWtIwrZO6DSEmUoFlYLtnbLIIUpJ8uAL2u2ZDUs0VrqrbqySq1AhT2Qwk60yYPgoskNtBSP38X2dKR/s1600/DSC00671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidp2ymGshitW94ISxYhPlVlx_Ju6v-9yupejuLW2Q-uXTGuF7uUWnQJ6Py8vgVdebWtIwrZO6DSEmUoFlYLtnbLIIUpJ8uAL2u2ZDUs0VrqrbqySq1AhT2Qwk60yYPgoskNtBSP38X2dKR/s320/DSC00671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4"x 3"; 1.5"x2"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkhy1b5RzcqW98NJWZ2garYZa95fNtaeiQXbFKMhdueuvU1FeIEuQ5oHKRhBiSkNNzlTPXI-RqxVsNlI_swG1QLCiQI0_saLtkCBwbBxbFj40186f92kBfLHJbQCh_duULpE3Tz-FYUiJ/s1600/DSC00731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkhy1b5RzcqW98NJWZ2garYZa95fNtaeiQXbFKMhdueuvU1FeIEuQ5oHKRhBiSkNNzlTPXI-RqxVsNlI_swG1QLCiQI0_saLtkCBwbBxbFj40186f92kBfLHJbQCh_duULpE3Tz-FYUiJ/s320/DSC00731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bottom is 5.5"x3.5"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTwDnSE6hRbGTZBTDeiLX_W6YWt6NUqGeUsgNqCKJfeOluhTikTzUlWmL14VVnyVfRafcc1D_hD5G8NbVk4vIRr5BPC5XScJh7Czn0M2GnbhZJhSDqhOEdSI6nLYdhnbs3fXaq8LeaHLO/s1600/DSC00665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTwDnSE6hRbGTZBTDeiLX_W6YWt6NUqGeUsgNqCKJfeOluhTikTzUlWmL14VVnyVfRafcc1D_hD5G8NbVk4vIRr5BPC5XScJh7Czn0M2GnbhZJhSDqhOEdSI6nLYdhnbs3fXaq8LeaHLO/s320/DSC00665.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no bigger than 3"x4.5"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>These small scale vignettes of it's culture and landscapes are some of my favorite souvenirs from that experience. Though I lack "artistic ability" in certain ways, detailed drawings of architecture was something I had always intended to continue, but too many other things always had priority. When I considered submitting something for <a href="http://www.beaconopenstudios.org/the-big-draw.html">The Big Draw</a>, I looked to my environment and started taking notice of the beautiful architecture that surrounds me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0PNiEd0YmOTU4eulYXrjeGkKQtDzqos2GYe308tX4VGKM27qn34Wh68iGbBGOIigWorrXSAeLNayCpswOAB5foOLzvbPVE2M3l-qRIa3qqnQ-QizKc5UbJDCAHqxaCQfBpsLU9PATjQh/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0PNiEd0YmOTU4eulYXrjeGkKQtDzqos2GYe308tX4VGKM27qn34Wh68iGbBGOIigWorrXSAeLNayCpswOAB5foOLzvbPVE2M3l-qRIa3qqnQ-QizKc5UbJDCAHqxaCQfBpsLU9PATjQh/s320/Image+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAu4SF4xaR6oK8xMjmJYftmunkukQKpHnWRsBtvsea8q5Dy6uwQoF17oszi2fy8QWs9OHkd7xOubAAbjPhcP8yIoXTYxLLG0qVe85vMkV8DrS_a7lLRx1NMhnzirFBzhZwfdoYrnhZC_X8/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAu4SF4xaR6oK8xMjmJYftmunkukQKpHnWRsBtvsea8q5Dy6uwQoF17oszi2fy8QWs9OHkd7xOubAAbjPhcP8yIoXTYxLLG0qVe85vMkV8DrS_a7lLRx1NMhnzirFBzhZwfdoYrnhZC_X8/s320/Image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNi81crdU6cnEn4bwYsOzNqxLyr-cwgasITBpERjtBvKRm8v-wOz2LNjjn2RnFPaPJ8_HrxR1uiCjLynKTNyCV8hVfr0kzfzsSMuVF8YTF-f11hRIBnVCJp-qp7XqyG3zKN-jOM65OXJO_/s1600/DSC00771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNi81crdU6cnEn4bwYsOzNqxLyr-cwgasITBpERjtBvKRm8v-wOz2LNjjn2RnFPaPJ8_HrxR1uiCjLynKTNyCV8hVfr0kzfzsSMuVF8YTF-f11hRIBnVCJp-qp7XqyG3zKN-jOM65OXJO_/s320/DSC00771.JPG" width="312" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc1XA6SyoioaitYUPY7Jm8vAudEfVIY__1obZPu7PRdm3RU5WuWGqFnvD89JiBgd8BeewnsWferYZHHuSV-00hLwzQxZg-jP50Bnbu4a-wXWPdhjzZxZi7iVyoew6JP0wMooSlRQk2PMB/s1600/DSC00773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc1XA6SyoioaitYUPY7Jm8vAudEfVIY__1obZPu7PRdm3RU5WuWGqFnvD89JiBgd8BeewnsWferYZHHuSV-00hLwzQxZg-jP50Bnbu4a-wXWPdhjzZxZi7iVyoew6JP0wMooSlRQk2PMB/s320/DSC00773.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXUkEmKOEdUK9WR3nTCCf_IMwbpYgVuUe1fAPr6jli0FVsr7QEhLwCqGePoGdPjLtA0G_KhzkBBEXTltu_J7Y_mVRK14nQfhCOFhj14UyVP2HJxpOyrzFVObtgB8Jy1iNtvsBcjSEKE2O/s1600/DSC00779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXUkEmKOEdUK9WR3nTCCf_IMwbpYgVuUe1fAPr6jli0FVsr7QEhLwCqGePoGdPjLtA0G_KhzkBBEXTltu_J7Y_mVRK14nQfhCOFhj14UyVP2HJxpOyrzFVObtgB8Jy1iNtvsBcjSEKE2O/s320/DSC00779.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Of course, these drawings didn't happen for me given the timing of events. It was volunteering at this event, that I was lucky enough to acquire this painting by a local artist.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4fpPlwzo7G5jHGAFDhEI6fUX_ZOQ0Hs8B3FJJ7g4n1_O9O4P5lkxVYs3Mfouvh69mkvf_X5FlkaqJvZB3mMpR488mpSSwS7PtcK6_zbKrChWOPPm86zGBmEiOHFd1JMrsLAMoHG2b8uY/s1600/DSC00759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4fpPlwzo7G5jHGAFDhEI6fUX_ZOQ0Hs8B3FJJ7g4n1_O9O4P5lkxVYs3Mfouvh69mkvf_X5FlkaqJvZB3mMpR488mpSSwS7PtcK6_zbKrChWOPPm86zGBmEiOHFd1JMrsLAMoHG2b8uY/s320/DSC00759.JPG" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6"x12" of <a href="http://www.homespunfoods.com/">Homespun</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.edvermehren.com/">Ed Vermehren</a>, one of the participants of the live rally drawing. I love his vibrant use of color in the depiction of this building, <a href="http://www.homespunfoods.com/">Homespun Foods</a>, local eatery. It is ironic that the very thing I fear, color, was one of the elements that drew me in. I know nothing about color theory. My humble little drawings are black and white. And it is only recent, that color permeates my jewelry in the form of enamels. I was staring at this painting on my wall, when something finally clicked and everything fell into place. I now have an idea and concept, and hopefully to execute into a finished piece for the group show for <a href="http://www.beaconopenstudios.org/index.html">BOS.</a>. This quote has been festering for quite some time, with no clear idea of realizing it in a tangible way, <b>"when one door closes, a window opens- Alexander G. Bell"</b>. I can finally connect the dots, and incorporate my most recent intentions in a real and productive way. <br />
<br />
Construct a window,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWuvwhrzRxOPHpqxtsK-FxuR9Yqaa5Ru8HF86WD0kS2hxU0tLvMaxRgOaUoSSJlAnBfvPcxnJ67H5w_77UNpei4W2Cz1czuxy_dfaHPbyXhyphenhyphenk6ivd0ZUIrAvvFWV0wwQ3KoIoKWXj1-nI/s1600/DSC00712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWuvwhrzRxOPHpqxtsK-FxuR9Yqaa5Ru8HF86WD0kS2hxU0tLvMaxRgOaUoSSJlAnBfvPcxnJ67H5w_77UNpei4W2Cz1czuxy_dfaHPbyXhyphenhyphenk6ivd0ZUIrAvvFWV0wwQ3KoIoKWXj1-nI/s320/DSC00712.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7erPRaHiwzgjrJIXaVEfSfzUZstPkp8WyRAgfNY8tdOuRVvJ7cDQgw-43Lhqc3UnHfyrAqaFCkVdRsIDAzvR8UAI32fr68Ke1fWljpdGmIh1TiImtY4o26qUDZPS4W-GTno5PypIBFXI/s1600/DSC00713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7erPRaHiwzgjrJIXaVEfSfzUZstPkp8WyRAgfNY8tdOuRVvJ7cDQgw-43Lhqc3UnHfyrAqaFCkVdRsIDAzvR8UAI32fr68Ke1fWljpdGmIh1TiImtY4o26qUDZPS4W-GTno5PypIBFXI/s320/DSC00713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>hinged on a box,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0Wq9-nNpFV-43XR0Jx1crxqdoCcOFBPh5RxlL0t-JKpClr0F6NLDCL7uoTDCrkayNFdrg4tVOLo9ilwAdrg1NmFGuzwB9NKTUmoL7aCyD5GQUWrqw95jTB4ZYBkTy5z-iJ5XkpBNNjOp/s1600/DSC00662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0Wq9-nNpFV-43XR0Jx1crxqdoCcOFBPh5RxlL0t-JKpClr0F6NLDCL7uoTDCrkayNFdrg4tVOLo9ilwAdrg1NmFGuzwB9NKTUmoL7aCyD5GQUWrqw95jTB4ZYBkTy5z-iJ5XkpBNNjOp/s320/DSC00662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>opens to the inside with a hand etched , scene on the back panel<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lMcuU_Pu4O1QmNsNyGGOiZScMl8ow3Y-3AURhM8VH5loCebY-0o7MVLqKgQo1yikG07998J7Z6AqocOM8AAwWzsnA9gCADq3ejX1P1Wa1JPbaS0lgcvnAv5KrT7D7jVnMb3px_hUes8W/s1600/DSC00663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lMcuU_Pu4O1QmNsNyGGOiZScMl8ow3Y-3AURhM8VH5loCebY-0o7MVLqKgQo1yikG07998J7Z6AqocOM8AAwWzsnA9gCADq3ejX1P1Wa1JPbaS0lgcvnAv5KrT7D7jVnMb3px_hUes8W/s320/DSC00663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
...the possibilities are infinite, already have many ideas and options of expanding and developing this idea... I'm excited about the concept of the "inside", opening the window to look "outside" into the scene that is contained "in a box", metaphors abound! I've only initiated the process of this idea, and some of the photos are a rough mock-up, but I am excited to execute and see it to fruition. Is it too indulgent to be this excited about my own idea?caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-84059636622938976702012-02-24T23:46:00.000-05:002012-02-24T23:46:51.922-05:00gift(s) to selfIt has been echoed my way on more than one occasion that "forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself". I'd started reading <a href="http://www.maryhayesgrieco.com/">Unconditional Forgiveness by Mary Hayes Grieco</a>, this book echoes these sentiments and then more, concrete steps of which to achieve what I consider to be an "ideal". Maybe I am not evolved yet to be "unconditional". But, the willingness to broach the process of forgiveness, I am open to. I'd learned that it is important for me to let go of the emotional hostility and the pain of the disappointed expectations. One notion of which I like best is, "give up the hope for a better past, to give ourselves the gift of a richer present". <br />
<br />
Amongst the gifts from friends this week, one tangible gift of which I'd made for myself is this bangle of mixed metals (brass, copper, silver)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpTFMzIKPagiwc3iO3fruWPdjezNuHN_0bqk-B48bFXDWXn3iC-A2YmVN9T05wU0CSa1J7nXaLwvMoG-Tx4reZgHZ7AN_dNR28usayq7VIHGm2U-zqx57VuG6fQ3dEA9PIedT-F8H1T3p/s1600/DSC00706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpTFMzIKPagiwc3iO3fruWPdjezNuHN_0bqk-B48bFXDWXn3iC-A2YmVN9T05wU0CSa1J7nXaLwvMoG-Tx4reZgHZ7AN_dNR28usayq7VIHGm2U-zqx57VuG6fQ3dEA9PIedT-F8H1T3p/s320/DSC00706.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8L7cO8_QSDnSAOt9hAXYmr47P2hKtZacDL6p_wOzlLur7B4q6pRKtHnna74uSTTJewmmlNix4Ti9klCqk4DrGEBxbCv5Ur-exbIASsYz0IhgrLEDVToevm02ikroi8CwdH7tp5rArexy/s1600/DSC00710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8L7cO8_QSDnSAOt9hAXYmr47P2hKtZacDL6p_wOzlLur7B4q6pRKtHnna74uSTTJewmmlNix4Ti9klCqk4DrGEBxbCv5Ur-exbIASsYz0IhgrLEDVToevm02ikroi8CwdH7tp5rArexy/s320/DSC00710.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"for each twilight, a dawn- R. W. Emerson"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Emotional moments were evident the last couple of days, because of what yesterday and tomorrow means, meant, but it is up to me to decide what it will mean. I have been wearing the bangle all week. I recognize the truth and the sheer sanction of these words, a certainty in the literal sense, at the very least. I am liking this style because it is accommodating for various wrist sizes, yet, it still closes. Exploring options similar to this style are on the agenda, perhaps "gifts" for other people.caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-25316226529830727952012-01-14T03:30:00.002-05:002012-01-14T10:24:07.542-05:00looking forwardTo borrow the words of Steve Jobs, maybe I will someday be able to connect the dots looking backward. Otherwise, where or how to start? I'm not only at a "loss" in life, but in words. How can I possibly articulate the summation of the past year, in particular, the latter part of the year, leading to the most recent account of events? Ironically, same time this year, I find myself in a similar circumstance. I'm not qualified to fully understand nor question why, or make sense of what is. I know the decisions and behavior are manisfestations of "distractions" in dealing with the deeper and "real issues". I know what was and what is no longer. This time, all the options are eliminated. This is perhaps my biggest "gift".<br />
<br />
As invasive and violating as it may be to discover your home burglarized, and to lose your most valuable possessions amassed over a dozen years of hard work, yet all these are material. There are matters of which there is no price.<br />
<br />
I have come full circle with my emotional and rational threshold. It is up to me to come to terms with what I cannot control. Yet, I still have a choice, the decision to move on, let go, and look forward to the "good" blocked by all the "bad" I was grasping onto.<br />
<br />
I am not the most insightful, and mediocre at best, with words. But, the vision of this endeavor remains, as neglected as it may seem. The direction is not firm, but I hope for it to be inspiring and to remain positive. This is perhaps my "milestone moment" of which awaits. I am learning to set goals for myself, some of which are concrete and tangible though minute in scope. I am learning to think of myself first, at least try to in most instances. I will learn to discover joy and happiness within. I am learning to embrace change. I have learnt, it's time to move forward...caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-70668730053275038872011-12-13T22:21:00.000-05:002011-12-13T22:21:19.070-05:00synopsis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I realized it has been more than <strike>three,</strike> <strike>four,</strike> five months, since my last post. It may not be an extended length of time depending on one's measure of it, but long enough for me to feel like I've dropped off from this blogisphere forum. The more time elapses, the more neglectful I feel, the more abandoned and harder it is to post again. I feel overwhelmed catching up on this chasm in time, but feel inclined to create some chronological order. It has been packed with preparation, production, creating of stuff much to the neglect of everything else, exploring creative options, introspection... As to not disappoint the two people that actually read this, hopefully this condensed account satiates the curiosity to my ordinary life. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">July always seems like "working for the kids", nephew and nieces. There are knitted toys and jewelry to be made for the birthdays.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5qshUkR2eeYweFLTuXw_GUqpUdRLO0FLSocoaMznno6A7VodZaWaVCTW-9oAZV14fWzLoLRPMe8YNAjEhwHO6-BknuFUNhiJpQ_PBULjFcvbvumhlq1TeSkGRV6DUg4EeVym0wDX2Q9Q/s1600/frog+stack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5qshUkR2eeYweFLTuXw_GUqpUdRLO0FLSocoaMznno6A7VodZaWaVCTW-9oAZV14fWzLoLRPMe8YNAjEhwHO6-BknuFUNhiJpQ_PBULjFcvbvumhlq1TeSkGRV6DUg4EeVym0wDX2Q9Q/s320/frog+stack.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://mochimochiland.com/shop/flapjack-frogs-pattern/">Flapjack Frogs by Anna Hrachovec</a></div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQtjumqV2jn1jA_vcCRsEik44lD0T_LBRkiPPsfGotaonpI_lPxLi7esxNsMTP60qg1PQSNx8VHzDqjRjYt0uCu6ACPK3q-cUcNXJ2_dtpKNa0V6G2GVmCx-vRNKWu1vWocmBSUvihEGO/s1600/enameled+frog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQtjumqV2jn1jA_vcCRsEik44lD0T_LBRkiPPsfGotaonpI_lPxLi7esxNsMTP60qg1PQSNx8VHzDqjRjYt0uCu6ACPK3q-cUcNXJ2_dtpKNa0V6G2GVmCx-vRNKWu1vWocmBSUvihEGO/s200/enameled+frog.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">enameled frog pendant</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLTBPoYK-dIL9O4RHvym5PIG5PDM8TlhvIzSAGhleITKJwqJltPybLWt1_yLEu0L8gX9jKtmvaID7mMCJL5Y0izitq-BfHgZBbAmSdcQSN5O3oe0mJR-TmmPwWbGoxV2DWnTol1brTSkv/s1600/em+and+frog+stack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLTBPoYK-dIL9O4RHvym5PIG5PDM8TlhvIzSAGhleITKJwqJltPybLWt1_yLEu0L8gX9jKtmvaID7mMCJL5Y0izitq-BfHgZBbAmSdcQSN5O3oe0mJR-TmmPwWbGoxV2DWnTol1brTSkv/s320/em+and+frog+stack.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frogs for a "frog"</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u-pBmIoWKE7DaKFbjoUiGDMybN_jaLeTHCinPQCsz-jHiLkSNpZud-NnTSyciqUwsMAqNTrOynG9CaHVV-B3nbkPzSd8P5HcFzdhNsvNBBof-22IDfJP2e5262Zycub0oYlWGgWVHWiK/s1600/bunny+front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u-pBmIoWKE7DaKFbjoUiGDMybN_jaLeTHCinPQCsz-jHiLkSNpZud-NnTSyciqUwsMAqNTrOynG9CaHVV-B3nbkPzSd8P5HcFzdhNsvNBBof-22IDfJP2e5262Zycub0oYlWGgWVHWiK/s320/bunny+front.JPG" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/2011/03/bunny-knitting-season.html">Bunny by Susan B. Anderson</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5l31U5KErgJXlLUklebvp-6L6mfmtV4O3KACNw1jPWPyeGtGVOHs7_ZGqEbGZzPzyBnYJYkOfzRjHrFFYdKe6fRvLrpBwz_5XVEMgnZrGRNW6AjXBZT-E3XYZ0wiMhsi7VLWJLNSFS4T/s1600/bunny+back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5l31U5KErgJXlLUklebvp-6L6mfmtV4O3KACNw1jPWPyeGtGVOHs7_ZGqEbGZzPzyBnYJYkOfzRjHrFFYdKe6fRvLrpBwz_5XVEMgnZrGRNW6AjXBZT-E3XYZ0wiMhsi7VLWJLNSFS4T/s200/bunny+back.JPG" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the only mod is the crocheted tail</td></tr>
</tbody></table> </div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkzTg2GEbPnKt9tg03p79e34pA7onHukmH9mC_odZB6J0qFaou86qroWl8WT6u8hRcszfz1U7dVyPtz317es8M654cHEqguDvvFy4q8OUQQ6NKQcmTSWY5Rlrs3PIw4TInh0Txe89YZ1O/s1600/s+with+bunny.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkzTg2GEbPnKt9tg03p79e34pA7onHukmH9mC_odZB6J0qFaou86qroWl8WT6u8hRcszfz1U7dVyPtz317es8M654cHEqguDvvFy4q8OUQQ6NKQcmTSWY5Rlrs3PIw4TInh0Txe89YZ1O/s200/s+with+bunny.JPG" width="200" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">introduction to the new friend</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Rt2ouVJ6lcR-4qWX0p16VBSmOZTie8oa7LcJj68mq87SSQGIyy4Ev6RqgPCMR7VNqAJJMw3xIiDEHI9Vy9FOo3eeUMQMfLTiwukp-hi6oaRRQFC-__VJBdhmJvJvPRwASIOlBRauxum4/s1600/strawberry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Rt2ouVJ6lcR-4qWX0p16VBSmOZTie8oa7LcJj68mq87SSQGIyy4Ev6RqgPCMR7VNqAJJMw3xIiDEHI9Vy9FOo3eeUMQMfLTiwukp-hi6oaRRQFC-__VJBdhmJvJvPRwASIOlBRauxum4/s200/strawberry.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inedible version of her favorite fruit</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>August now seems like a blur. September was busy with creating jewelry, mostly for <a href="http://www.beaconopenstudios.org/">Beacon Open Studios.</a><br />
The amazingly talented and accomplished <a href="http://www.science-art.com/member/?id=79&page=2&bypass=1">Chris</a>, graciously shared her space with me. All of the beautiful paintings are hers.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDajXbTIH1KN04hbxxGWpU-sUtgxWetkGBn4oGBEhyphenhyphend4ymACjme6uL1JQXEjYe4a6zU8UqTP4OCQ26IOt3RJW770pVNVrEK2eRAmpbNCzlincbxeO6iY9SDOaBh88SKFTsJgP4hPdg7ifH/s1600/bos+overview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDajXbTIH1KN04hbxxGWpU-sUtgxWetkGBn4oGBEhyphenhyphend4ymACjme6uL1JQXEjYe4a6zU8UqTP4OCQ26IOt3RJW770pVNVrEK2eRAmpbNCzlincbxeO6iY9SDOaBh88SKFTsJgP4hPdg7ifH/s320/bos+overview.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of my youngest fans</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi8XIoKKMshfWpfblFv3VETsyu-nWk4-PD4J_Gdyv7I-r2lRgRoCnwBn42o6upebyywUb-TclTxKGZ9DXU6KESFNW76amv73C7lcSOuEQqECABGPZmnieDgam74QJKeB45W_-B8aMSwDq/s1600/melody+and+i.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi8XIoKKMshfWpfblFv3VETsyu-nWk4-PD4J_Gdyv7I-r2lRgRoCnwBn42o6upebyywUb-TclTxKGZ9DXU6KESFNW76amv73C7lcSOuEQqECABGPZmnieDgam74QJKeB45W_-B8aMSwDq/s200/melody+and+i.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">making a rare appearance with one of my youngest fans</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANaf61hyBpLhaWYyctHcAzSWP0j16Oi1oPZ_YdP8MC97iJ7o74of2mXxcgzWtkP3jgi1C10ANCW__Ogz4Tv-tYW85mcoTl-v5X4KAvvJD5gh5MqGWSNEXj225419t-jt1odAgAChiKiCF/s1600/bear+installation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANaf61hyBpLhaWYyctHcAzSWP0j16Oi1oPZ_YdP8MC97iJ7o74of2mXxcgzWtkP3jgi1C10ANCW__Ogz4Tv-tYW85mcoTl-v5X4KAvvJD5gh5MqGWSNEXj225419t-jt1odAgAChiKiCF/s320/bear+installation.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the impressive "polar rug" in the making, just tape and her vision</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Snapshots of the space. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGQw0UrieLnxZJm6mMr8pnEMOmCgToMQXRsO-XBXwRwJxRQUxharC8MtWnLqBw7j07CeuXSuw8U7rKKvaBCM7-fBhzzg9rYYJrjFsFZ5JGHlu4hyJhzxXZMaDc_soHzpGTUm8U0z9TS_y/s1600/bos+back+of+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGQw0UrieLnxZJm6mMr8pnEMOmCgToMQXRsO-XBXwRwJxRQUxharC8MtWnLqBw7j07CeuXSuw8U7rKKvaBCM7-fBhzzg9rYYJrjFsFZ5JGHlu4hyJhzxXZMaDc_soHzpGTUm8U0z9TS_y/s320/bos+back+of+room.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div> <br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div> <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTanl32Vgq0WF6JPq1XP84pKMJ8iS4BAlGwjEKQM9g3C6OwzfzzaBfw-_6JWDP-8Pq-gN8ieXSp4KTFoSmazAFzha0T-eGJSelOGocPYIENQt1K6ZQ7PzMmpxjubQDGrnhQxcqPvGuv1xL/s1600/bos+rack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTanl32Vgq0WF6JPq1XP84pKMJ8iS4BAlGwjEKQM9g3C6OwzfzzaBfw-_6JWDP-8Pq-gN8ieXSp4KTFoSmazAFzha0T-eGJSelOGocPYIENQt1K6ZQ7PzMmpxjubQDGrnhQxcqPvGuv1xL/s320/bos+rack.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLK3S7KAYPmsKMtMXMfX0AzVN__9xSzdVSRZAhlwxk6TsyQD7Haj0Plvx1H5po3EhKMHZiSAklXviSzHkDIiG-6HxzysUjRztfkDZqZdA6VUYiQOw1kcuK8RjT9fOhdXnkjddKGEp-iEs/s1600/bos+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLK3S7KAYPmsKMtMXMfX0AzVN__9xSzdVSRZAhlwxk6TsyQD7Haj0Plvx1H5po3EhKMHZiSAklXviSzHkDIiG-6HxzysUjRztfkDZqZdA6VUYiQOw1kcuK8RjT9fOhdXnkjddKGEp-iEs/s320/bos+photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidf5w_K6q9g6KWpfO4Ui_MXLNSAzcBxemCwfeh2uxZAnCQ6_02p50jFMhdfw8VleOf_6zYZJ_h1GnZX6R7h2lTpLiAEBUDFcmwFeHt4it75Aw_tJsSR57QMR18beWhoPfH1tkBWrnvrse9/s1600/BOS+and+quotes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidf5w_K6q9g6KWpfO4Ui_MXLNSAzcBxemCwfeh2uxZAnCQ6_02p50jFMhdfw8VleOf_6zYZJ_h1GnZX6R7h2lTpLiAEBUDFcmwFeHt4it75Aw_tJsSR57QMR18beWhoPfH1tkBWrnvrse9/s200/BOS+and+quotes.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBgv5NsTj-v9jw_fVqR1IgZNDzyGTf3jBRYWCQulcma3J8_ChDgFNKilMVma-UgWXanw-domJky_acXaX0arhQs5pmob0whbCzMk70A_inkMZdfB3UEpWmYHOtpIGmBePonlcG5PXJ76k/s1600/bos+stand.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBgv5NsTj-v9jw_fVqR1IgZNDzyGTf3jBRYWCQulcma3J8_ChDgFNKilMVma-UgWXanw-domJky_acXaX0arhQs5pmob0whbCzMk70A_inkMZdfB3UEpWmYHOtpIGmBePonlcG5PXJ76k/s200/bos+stand.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WqDtaHiMV1UnGBpnFW3_XRYNZRBIUZWxQHK4Ea7BPYnsTg8vWJ1DNRRZ4732ZbURkVqWqTrs1OfLvnezyDEO9769Q4bgeyi8sAhDXH_Ic2F-vi7iyEk7VA6w1pTW9O-pZHbb0bsWe7a4/s1600/bos+vase.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WqDtaHiMV1UnGBpnFW3_XRYNZRBIUZWxQHK4Ea7BPYnsTg8vWJ1DNRRZ4732ZbURkVqWqTrs1OfLvnezyDEO9769Q4bgeyi8sAhDXH_Ic2F-vi7iyEk7VA6w1pTW9O-pZHbb0bsWe7a4/s200/bos+vase.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">glass leaves, and flowers, with enameled pieces</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpTlNkty_owhPboOodY5y_fdf0xjGQtx0ICR5EnMcWA2WiVUm1X7yWc-CqZo_KPzeHAq9Qu79HE_mLFnzXePGFF_uKd_-ydKbGutA6yNdSI1uEYuAkCtmmuDG4VXbM37zzcStpn08Fg9M/s1600/glass+leaf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpTlNkty_owhPboOodY5y_fdf0xjGQtx0ICR5EnMcWA2WiVUm1X7yWc-CqZo_KPzeHAq9Qu79HE_mLFnzXePGFF_uKd_-ydKbGutA6yNdSI1uEYuAkCtmmuDG4VXbM37zzcStpn08Fg9M/s200/glass+leaf.JPG" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the glass "leaf" is lampwork, before my venture with enamel, which is nothing more than powdered glass</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDofziumCuLYl5tlQyuV56Nmq94LiEaQdxBnqL-W0dIEbw7D_3fYE_MtufavbnguGwx_rIy1YJioKnqnOTEHMC0YPnHV0cqPPokFJwXKIDX9ZeOShTPFFjZx5OyoxxvCaSxvjJcn4S9-2/s1600/dragonfly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDofziumCuLYl5tlQyuV56Nmq94LiEaQdxBnqL-W0dIEbw7D_3fYE_MtufavbnguGwx_rIy1YJioKnqnOTEHMC0YPnHV0cqPPokFJwXKIDX9ZeOShTPFFjZx5OyoxxvCaSxvjJcn4S9-2/s320/dragonfly.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of my favorite pieces from Jewelry 101, a dozen years ago, that launched and influential of what i do today</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXyflB-lDNiXxKRKhF62UgcA5uRImCdt0eAhcAmZEeopQfEsZvW8ilOpAZULH1KOoxLnZcCTYNW4RZyTmGb1q5dffO3T1VWHO088wGeLRxsYci5uUuUCihWdLJMGfRkVyVEjCkYlrdS4V/s1600/rattle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXyflB-lDNiXxKRKhF62UgcA5uRImCdt0eAhcAmZEeopQfEsZvW8ilOpAZULH1KOoxLnZcCTYNW4RZyTmGb1q5dffO3T1VWHO088wGeLRxsYci5uUuUCihWdLJMGfRkVyVEjCkYlrdS4V/s320/rattle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another one of my favorite pieces, interchangeable "rattle"</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
These are enameled panels that are wall plaques, a departure from my usual jewelry.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1sa9_o0dhqE7mx2F2JiQnTLeVC-DgcbFL4FXSemzOBs_hC17ZdjhSix-W3pd730tvvo3uy4ppnR8InXuqsFHVi9MjA5ULar49mNKumbFxX1cW0Rw71UTBOND7m18YcWF52m0z6yyvFz5/s1600/blossom+block.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1sa9_o0dhqE7mx2F2JiQnTLeVC-DgcbFL4FXSemzOBs_hC17ZdjhSix-W3pd730tvvo3uy4ppnR8InXuqsFHVi9MjA5ULar49mNKumbFxX1cW0Rw71UTBOND7m18YcWF52m0z6yyvFz5/s200/blossom+block.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1T4rKh-JhJmW9MkqyetgfImJO82kBZFak-Cg_XxY2Jp1sImsV0Of_Ken8lDEK6FbW2vTFkgLurR-EHWZfCBVVW3kXFKQQsTCNlxvbXBccYHV8FO33K2oU2FioEObrAidCAdY6PeUW_PdO/s1600/fern+block.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1T4rKh-JhJmW9MkqyetgfImJO82kBZFak-Cg_XxY2Jp1sImsV0Of_Ken8lDEK6FbW2vTFkgLurR-EHWZfCBVVW3kXFKQQsTCNlxvbXBccYHV8FO33K2oU2FioEObrAidCAdY6PeUW_PdO/s200/fern+block.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCPVMx88Ru1N-XbxivnumyOGdAwIQ9wf3P_6J6TUFwnQj1IEk-F2B_HOwNU2Mp2Krc2PmTH8f4FpKgZgA7wlCjEyBlS1oCXyVpXdnd6b7dTrVX71tAQ-jJ3C-I1jWTmWO2x4BPy8K6coN/s1600/birdhouse+from+top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCPVMx88Ru1N-XbxivnumyOGdAwIQ9wf3P_6J6TUFwnQj1IEk-F2B_HOwNU2Mp2Krc2PmTH8f4FpKgZgA7wlCjEyBlS1oCXyVpXdnd6b7dTrVX71tAQ-jJ3C-I1jWTmWO2x4BPy8K6coN/s320/birdhouse+from+top.JPG" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"hope is the thing with feathers- Emily Dickinson"<br />
happily in a new home</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImz1GP_fy3Hj1E5nuCEij87JG0TPvITY8UjfFBZ5aBEVrWZ9wFWMfTjbmcnHlswJOOwRdzBrBlB4QLbVikQ1QGKUIqqPgKSjqFmc6itG-xVo1Bswai4cKiP9AnDf-I8K2w8t_ZOLrmsua/s1600/birdhouse+from+side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImz1GP_fy3Hj1E5nuCEij87JG0TPvITY8UjfFBZ5aBEVrWZ9wFWMfTjbmcnHlswJOOwRdzBrBlB4QLbVikQ1QGKUIqqPgKSjqFmc6itG-xVo1Bswai4cKiP9AnDf-I8K2w8t_ZOLrmsua/s200/birdhouse+from+side.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wooden birdhouse, painted, with copper sheet and enameled feather</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3b8JkV6gssTfT2-IjgNDibSUMetbmtQFrPNdRDlLqjXVkBI6TXELlk9wpxI4XNlk73pbcEaDjIcSs8fP_kHwykyQ3ehkT0EOYZ44xw2lOooORRK7qP4hLPrKBYP24cdGBzihMH2GQn0v/s1600/enamel+frog+on+lilypad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3b8JkV6gssTfT2-IjgNDibSUMetbmtQFrPNdRDlLqjXVkBI6TXELlk9wpxI4XNlk73pbcEaDjIcSs8fP_kHwykyQ3ehkT0EOYZ44xw2lOooORRK7qP4hLPrKBYP24cdGBzihMH2GQn0v/s320/enamel+frog+on+lilypad.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">enameled frog mounted on wooden painted lily pad</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>"Where blossoms bloom, so does hope"- Lady Bird Johnson</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong></strong> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim91rsMpE6Q3ZwoYPdS5-MeSMkwAzda176tEE83Bt6ObwatldDRzMIS32OA8pJ8t3996FAU1Zi8nj8YEkVpukeeLowRpQ2MJO2GZfL1YIoj-43i-k5CBVRwCELvc_oAhFiyefaIW_4XVXk/s1600/enamel+necklace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim91rsMpE6Q3ZwoYPdS5-MeSMkwAzda176tEE83Bt6ObwatldDRzMIS32OA8pJ8t3996FAU1Zi8nj8YEkVpukeeLowRpQ2MJO2GZfL1YIoj-43i-k5CBVRwCELvc_oAhFiyefaIW_4XVXk/s320/enamel+necklace.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was the necklace in the group show at Hudson Beach Glass</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5IiqVNyo3KyibDLJ7NwfgSN8mJ6z53ZmienAdjP9kzfTHPRdorZtSkgh_bs6lrOQr7izGC-Ox7lObJkU93MM5mkdfgBM7W_gczkB_Z5CaJP4HQEtyLmjlPcijeRbYaQN80gahEdsKcHW/s1600/enamel+straight+branch+necklace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5IiqVNyo3KyibDLJ7NwfgSN8mJ6z53ZmienAdjP9kzfTHPRdorZtSkgh_bs6lrOQr7izGC-Ox7lObJkU93MM5mkdfgBM7W_gczkB_Z5CaJP4HQEtyLmjlPcijeRbYaQN80gahEdsKcHW/s320/enamel+straight+branch+necklace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYHf7hsvYryoiimQyGqpZl06cVs_j8UUYupZSErf8ub30PjXgahQfPc20e-gBg8z9irrZDqcofOsnaisf3E2Gxvop6mLdLe05O0mO4qTlxkt7PhIUV6_G4YM9f_uc8QhIh00gn3cFBG_v/s1600/y+enamel+branch+necklace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYHf7hsvYryoiimQyGqpZl06cVs_j8UUYupZSErf8ub30PjXgahQfPc20e-gBg8z9irrZDqcofOsnaisf3E2Gxvop6mLdLe05O0mO4qTlxkt7PhIUV6_G4YM9f_uc8QhIh00gn3cFBG_v/s320/y+enamel+branch+necklace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SZ9m5uoybgq4tBX3-y5hFb0jJja3-BFuBCReCVl5M9aSDTXS5gNVByhV7UZ6-M2x80q6rT0Bs47Ux8g9YGNDFKtE6Z6wL7Mivs83ILRdAtCHEuD07AG35vdzB0xNbUCCy0ihle1vpPrl/s1600/blossom+branch+necklace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SZ9m5uoybgq4tBX3-y5hFb0jJja3-BFuBCReCVl5M9aSDTXS5gNVByhV7UZ6-M2x80q6rT0Bs47Ux8g9YGNDFKtE6Z6wL7Mivs83ILRdAtCHEuD07AG35vdzB0xNbUCCy0ihle1vpPrl/s320/blossom+branch+necklace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HYQSVjvaPF2W_gc_dHKoVsVC5cXUjfyRfBzURcwaNdTA69toLY9pHtiF90GuJp6k4rTjl1fBcfqZEoHCe-m7nvJBbWiG3cKaHpUHSZo7TcAgLWN72Q5v_mVREK-wnHavkmpdgOx-Qk_A/s1600/bursting+with+blooms+cylinder+necklace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HYQSVjvaPF2W_gc_dHKoVsVC5cXUjfyRfBzURcwaNdTA69toLY9pHtiF90GuJp6k4rTjl1fBcfqZEoHCe-m7nvJBbWiG3cKaHpUHSZo7TcAgLWN72Q5v_mVREK-wnHavkmpdgOx-Qk_A/s320/bursting+with+blooms+cylinder+necklace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJ7fcBoq1LKi7ne0NHtUelwkstXePqmimU3KZvFmVl8CFKWa2moAcrt7c_8wnSHNcIkJ9Zb7sUzJYvf6pAo7-W4kHSoX1u2zojEaVR875_sE_j2Wb8slDtBHbGS3gnNdyhIx_EPJbGlqN/s1600/rosebud+necklace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJ7fcBoq1LKi7ne0NHtUelwkstXePqmimU3KZvFmVl8CFKWa2moAcrt7c_8wnSHNcIkJ9Zb7sUzJYvf6pAo7-W4kHSoX1u2zojEaVR875_sE_j2Wb8slDtBHbGS3gnNdyhIx_EPJbGlqN/s320/rosebud+necklace.JPG" width="299" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxshKFsP-YXbfD5CjmYHWcCi4RYnTmf5RJfgVJYAZHH_WZ2O9bUBtyVUW80YFhXaH6xhAK3m6JnDZyBCWGjZBYfuzpNbpvWJOAKFlsJKU8HlqxfikTT8DgFAsW0KerpWRb20oUgrIHnFET/s1600/rosebud+pin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxshKFsP-YXbfD5CjmYHWcCi4RYnTmf5RJfgVJYAZHH_WZ2O9bUBtyVUW80YFhXaH6xhAK3m6JnDZyBCWGjZBYfuzpNbpvWJOAKFlsJKU8HlqxfikTT8DgFAsW0KerpWRb20oUgrIHnFET/s320/rosebud+pin.JPG" width="212" /></a></div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The latter four silver pieces are now for sale at <a href="http://riverwindsgallery.com/beacon.htm">Riverwinds</a>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">October was <a href="http://www.sheepandwool.com/general-information/index.asp">Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool</a>, November was just life.... and this "stuff" for sale at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Coffee-Shoppe-Beacon/172170429467006">The Coffee Shoppe</a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqyui0AstzTc63Ki_EOQsGcfJ2smucuPeGuKXmsVDKu5dX3H3E6nyXm_CPqd8fhXX-MjyAJ_fJg0R6GH7m2QFaKcfYmav0UpZABSEQ-jmjMq7Vge-rBCqUtSKMzgsYbxO7IqCjhQ5btbG/s1600/box+at+coffee+shop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqyui0AstzTc63Ki_EOQsGcfJ2smucuPeGuKXmsVDKu5dX3H3E6nyXm_CPqd8fhXX-MjyAJ_fJg0R6GH7m2QFaKcfYmav0UpZABSEQ-jmjMq7Vge-rBCqUtSKMzgsYbxO7IqCjhQ5btbG/s320/box+at+coffee+shop.JPG" width="237" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">There is much personal and test knitting, but that deserves it's own post , and crafting of various sorts thrown in. Still trying to work things through... In the meantime, this is the beautiful butterfly that I purchased from Chris.</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16nrVuO3SUVfsWvfIpn6zszMY2xkzTw8blwMzftHrYmZqKN4jVfAMu_r-2c8YPXNwhL4ITCiPymVkGGsxrJJLUNTQXdeS4vXcGkQoO-W0YyHGSfx5ov-Xo-bxnla7GKCgmwc6PW40ilEp/s1600/framed+butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16nrVuO3SUVfsWvfIpn6zszMY2xkzTw8blwMzftHrYmZqKN4jVfAMu_r-2c8YPXNwhL4ITCiPymVkGGsxrJJLUNTQXdeS4vXcGkQoO-W0YyHGSfx5ov-Xo-bxnla7GKCgmwc6PW40ilEp/s320/framed+butterfly.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salamis temora</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know that my photo of it does the watercolor justice, but it has been finally framed. I love all her bugs and botanicals, but I think this one "chose" me. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies. ~Author Unknown</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Butterflies undergo multiple stages to achieve complete metamorphosis. My mission is to remain hopeful, "molt" as does the caterpillar, before emerging as the person I'm supposed to be.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-57073271553728755222011-07-10T22:07:00.000-04:002011-07-10T22:07:23.601-04:00le tour de france... to fleece?Avid knitters, general fiber enthusiasts, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/tour/peek">Ravelers</a>, know of the significance of <a href="http://www.letour.fr/us/index.html">le Tour de France</a> as it relates to the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/tour-de-fleece">Tour de Fleece</a>.<br />
<br />
As an ex-"friend" of an ex-roadie, France or Fleece has a whole new meaning this year. A roadie, as defined by <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/ROADIE-Misunderstood-World-Bike-Racer/dp/1934030171/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310010001&sr=1-2">Jamie Smith in The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer</a>, is a cyclist who road races. Upon reading this book, I have a new appreciation and understanding of the world of cycling, from the perspective of a spectator once associated with an ex-roadie. I was a roadie groupie. Not exactly France, but the <a href="http://www.tourofthecatskills.com/">Catskills</a>, 2010.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwSH0Q2erv3cJgwYOynF7pTGjapAMkXo2Ax8sCZxolsXKIqorYYGSo6o64EsnFRJ7smTDRaHdNZxrU_m91WXlna9Sfc7ybxNksQ6J52LARfhs-tPH_zwPHoq3P4buoW5PC0IAm5eiPyaI/s1600/start+of+tour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwSH0Q2erv3cJgwYOynF7pTGjapAMkXo2Ax8sCZxolsXKIqorYYGSo6o64EsnFRJ7smTDRaHdNZxrU_m91WXlna9Sfc7ybxNksQ6J52LARfhs-tPH_zwPHoq3P4buoW5PC0IAm5eiPyaI/s320/start+of+tour.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNRtU6K4NQOXxwZfflPqd9SPmnNe4LB_RbRUQ1mh3-mo5xGT2-H8FeXEKT60P7Z2nJIsEAgU7m6PNYRqqXc2UR2_XHQcDuua9ugD5Coj0ewFYzeY_Y2mXHI8NweD-NtnTDIk53wlPCBKb/s1600/tour+de+catskill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNRtU6K4NQOXxwZfflPqd9SPmnNe4LB_RbRUQ1mh3-mo5xGT2-H8FeXEKT60P7Z2nJIsEAgU7m6PNYRqqXc2UR2_XHQcDuua9ugD5Coj0ewFYzeY_Y2mXHI8NweD-NtnTDIk53wlPCBKb/s320/tour+de+catskill.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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I tuned in to the Tour de France as of last year, a nightly prime-time ritual as a new-found fan of the sport. How it relates to Fleece this year? I've owned my spinning wheel for some months, test ran and only slightly used. I was hoping to be inspired by the actual tour to take it out for another spin. This is the total cumulative effort of the <strike>yarn</strike> rope I've accomplished.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LZxTl_2wXq9SCFclHEgOY804i_1WaaPZkiYsTQW-LMIHNnQBnNUZ3K_LwYtfauj04op53wXHoUesOrbMnCfhyphenhyphenIuGJZsOeuZrAu-Y91yOIeDwBbuLit0rlVK2f7JgMxSWqhLP9WgTW0Wh/s1600/rose+wheel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LZxTl_2wXq9SCFclHEgOY804i_1WaaPZkiYsTQW-LMIHNnQBnNUZ3K_LwYtfauj04op53wXHoUesOrbMnCfhyphenhyphenIuGJZsOeuZrAu-Y91yOIeDwBbuLit0rlVK2f7JgMxSWqhLP9WgTW0Wh/s320/rose+wheel.JPG" width="231" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIbz8TZn89KvxMmCDRlz7A-YSm_rKP2WHs7ZGQdsaDBuVOEDS_16Bf7Xa3-5Aen8pYGbFwf8a7EgBmgJc8Vx6r9M5rjeOe3NOr3gEVxHvNhcBOEciMqtGYfpFssHgWxqiSonAxnmt5dXh/s1600/spun+yarn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIbz8TZn89KvxMmCDRlz7A-YSm_rKP2WHs7ZGQdsaDBuVOEDS_16Bf7Xa3-5Aen8pYGbFwf8a7EgBmgJc8Vx6r9M5rjeOe3NOr3gEVxHvNhcBOEciMqtGYfpFssHgWxqiSonAxnmt5dXh/s320/spun+yarn.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"rope" on the bobbin, along with the fiber</td></tr>
</tbody></table> There's plenty watching of the tour, but no fleece spinning yet, only some yarn knitting. <br />
<br />
The whole world of cycling was a foreign concept and never thought I would be watching and actually enjoy doing so. I only learned to ride a bike as an adult, and do not ride it very well. Yet, I am caught up in the "draft" of the tour because of it's parallel to life. Even if you settle into the "peloton" and move along with the mass, it requires focus and multi-tasking. It requires team-work, trust, and there are different roles in the team, as does your support network (family and friends). It is impressive to see cyclists tackling each stage, juggling the many tasks whether it be grabbing the musettes to feed, or doing some minor mechanical adjustments, or answering the calls of nature, all while pedaling at the speed of a motorized vehicle. Analogous to life, the stages can be like a roller coaster, from the climbs of the Pyrenees and the Alps to the flat stages, and everything in between. Along the way, we have to learn to negotiate the turns, weather the storms, and may be caught in a crash (there have been some spectacular and unfortunate crashes a week into the tour) hit pavement and get scratched up, but we get up, continue the "chase" to avoid getting "dropped"; positioning yourself in the "slipstream", prepare to "attack", and "catch" the "breakaway". Only one can have the coveted<i> maillot jaune </i>(yellow jersey) riding into Paris, but to be "field fodder" (defined in <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/ROADIE-Misunderstood-World-Bike-Racer/dp/1934030171/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310010001&sr=1-2">Jamie Smith's book</a>) is okay, it means you participated. Life, like the Tour, is cumulative of the results of each stage. Unlike it, le Tour de Life doesn't end in three weeks, the "race" continues.caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-51735745531203015822011-07-06T22:28:00.000-04:002011-07-06T22:28:47.689-04:00amidst the interimI will be the first to proclaim that I'm the least tech savvy person I know. Whether it be to conveniently blame it on the absence of a computer due to viruses for some weeks (of which a friend was able to resolve in no time and I'm grateful for), or general laziness, lethargy due to hot weather...whatever the excuse, the writing hiatus is over, for now. I only wish the same could transcend into "mental thoughts". The only intermission from the daily trials was feeling like I had a "breakthrough moment". It only but takes one trigger, one hesitation, one temptation, to negate progress. I'm aware of my fragile resolve.<br />
<br />
As for leisure time and general distractions, some enameling, some knitting , some jewelry making..<br />
"Rainbow in Someone's Cloud- Maya Angelou" is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloisonn%C3%A9">cloisonne</a> enameling project started while taking classes at <a href="http://liloveve.com/">Liloveve</a>. I was able to finish firing at home with my recently acquired <a href="http://paragonweb.com/SC2_with_Bead_Door_and_Window.cfm">kiln</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbcskcR7whztBxoz3TC0t5VlbXG69r_k4g7vmYBk3R1KBqwsHleAp8SSKYluE_uMdrvhwpZaLtO7ZjqFcoNVnLC2NNuXDlDCQWQdPEH4elVtrqbviyJmIKsQcl2Jeuk8i3mwymRV_UJSi/s1600/rainbow+top+kiln.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbcskcR7whztBxoz3TC0t5VlbXG69r_k4g7vmYBk3R1KBqwsHleAp8SSKYluE_uMdrvhwpZaLtO7ZjqFcoNVnLC2NNuXDlDCQWQdPEH4elVtrqbviyJmIKsQcl2Jeuk8i3mwymRV_UJSi/s320/rainbow+top+kiln.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of final layers, drying on top of kiln before going in</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2pIzNdX8w56PkGo_NvxfHkjc5lolGoM3SHHAj_QREv53yA13SMKalgYiDz73vxXVOKbi9yjzze9UboXMDKcLMHcDx5QORRXxU_sitLIDtcdasSdR2QXtZZsWUNNkfrAqOdynXUgpdYo0/s1600/rainbow+in+kiln.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2pIzNdX8w56PkGo_NvxfHkjc5lolGoM3SHHAj_QREv53yA13SMKalgYiDz73vxXVOKbi9yjzze9UboXMDKcLMHcDx5QORRXxU_sitLIDtcdasSdR2QXtZZsWUNNkfrAqOdynXUgpdYo0/s320/rainbow+in+kiln.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">piece through window, firing in kiln</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls6CS7Uf4yfQIXQm1xc0ThucMy_JcUuJWxK4yd_9WgOody2AbDm9NS5DpeY7N3Uu_OYHoUXhZECjgMXiBCRQizESYTCEZqXd2Dl9rlbe3R3nVETf8jiEfo0YsH7SKBmb6p_fi7baUKkxF/s1600/enameled+rainbow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls6CS7Uf4yfQIXQm1xc0ThucMy_JcUuJWxK4yd_9WgOody2AbDm9NS5DpeY7N3Uu_OYHoUXhZECjgMXiBCRQizESYTCEZqXd2Dl9rlbe3R3nVETf8jiEfo0YsH7SKBmb6p_fi7baUKkxF/s320/enameled+rainbow.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fully fused and fired, cleaned, waiting to be set in a bezel and finished</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Using the same enamel colors, this is a different version of the same idea.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPq9ay7mQZH9UalymiJl4z1flFJqrE4sYa_L5e5tf5MnFgBZTWp2GVlVwGD3QXkdif3glpzcTkX-OoiqWmwwR9GX1wfSXRnfVzhXEAjrH7g9y8oiikZzAgifD3X8063w8gisBKaoy51Dw/s1600/domed+rainbow+set.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPq9ay7mQZH9UalymiJl4z1flFJqrE4sYa_L5e5tf5MnFgBZTWp2GVlVwGD3QXkdif3glpzcTkX-OoiqWmwwR9GX1wfSXRnfVzhXEAjrH7g9y8oiikZzAgifD3X8063w8gisBKaoy51Dw/s320/domed+rainbow+set.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">set in silver bezel</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhia6kDzpKlE26TABk0ISyUpslgjDqZr-QEwW9y5v1P4UaUMVRduGlgUG6ehAQfv9C5GSoYmgQ3IDhKqm35f5GmvPOb_9JKW8aKzVvcV_CDsRNCb9L3u5PYY3yK1-kNHbP410r8f7QuY6Xp/s1600/back+domed+rainbow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhia6kDzpKlE26TABk0ISyUpslgjDqZr-QEwW9y5v1P4UaUMVRduGlgUG6ehAQfv9C5GSoYmgQ3IDhKqm35f5GmvPOb_9JKW8aKzVvcV_CDsRNCb9L3u5PYY3yK1-kNHbP410r8f7QuY6Xp/s320/back+domed+rainbow.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back of the piece before it was set</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Gifted pieces:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBHfRxWuUgh-2P8ZNhVbbGM6KjaGHiX9oMJ8nrBigqTClYEkvLtpzOfO_zrOZuO8fCSWloXO15e1uOiLgocFyUyZZcZeoaEmpmQU1nshFvnp08eCxlaBGInycldZrk2i8CksmBC9EZ1nT/s1600/enamel+dangle+er.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBHfRxWuUgh-2P8ZNhVbbGM6KjaGHiX9oMJ8nrBigqTClYEkvLtpzOfO_zrOZuO8fCSWloXO15e1uOiLgocFyUyZZcZeoaEmpmQU1nshFvnp08eCxlaBGInycldZrk2i8CksmBC9EZ1nT/s320/enamel+dangle+er.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8r_Q1VH_BohX-anP6vXRDTtF7LILUeSBCOamBkF3ZvUUA9cPmhsC1sG8cu1xdlw_s8YyG72bFqis4sX_m_wJlb1ZR9ksql31H2Q2DI7cD1j4wD7fXyR8Z3GUBRLoHBMq_wZ4AcBwsQfc/s1600/red+enamel+er.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8r_Q1VH_BohX-anP6vXRDTtF7LILUeSBCOamBkF3ZvUUA9cPmhsC1sG8cu1xdlw_s8YyG72bFqis4sX_m_wJlb1ZR9ksql31H2Q2DI7cD1j4wD7fXyR8Z3GUBRLoHBMq_wZ4AcBwsQfc/s320/red+enamel+er.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
On the fiber side, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/curly-snake">Susan B. Anderson's Curly Snake</a> was finished just in time for nephew's sixth birthday, my version is not curly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwk_oDt0dL4JhvJ5yw07RvEmv3qvPRPmHomHgZNhv5859xLlgUs8TODQwPnLwLdkwdCLVxQiN3tcg8mk2iDWEk514L5D207BOIO3PGXA2-273cfZTbEXxionk4CIsV4bVT6ODg60_ih4wm/s1600/snake+a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwk_oDt0dL4JhvJ5yw07RvEmv3qvPRPmHomHgZNhv5859xLlgUs8TODQwPnLwLdkwdCLVxQiN3tcg8mk2iDWEk514L5D207BOIO3PGXA2-273cfZTbEXxionk4CIsV4bVT6ODg60_ih4wm/s320/snake+a.JPG" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snake in a knot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I also had the honor of test knitting <a href="http://www.petitepurls.com/Summer11/summer2011_p_mao.html">Mao by Angela Tong.</a> A well written pattern for a super quick knit, don't be surprised if you end up with a litter of these.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVme1f_jqUSl-lFXakVwvJnZvFhA_AUZC-gG26ktxopQBWzgX5hNupI9TjNCDUXReiJfM-pCShp6dKBtkh8jfjbLQc3NFYM_kQFLncSGLLaBU8gG3IbpvCt7hZ6XGqGGZTWj9K0-4KgnE/s1600/duo+mao.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVme1f_jqUSl-lFXakVwvJnZvFhA_AUZC-gG26ktxopQBWzgX5hNupI9TjNCDUXReiJfM-pCShp6dKBtkh8jfjbLQc3NFYM_kQFLncSGLLaBU8gG3IbpvCt7hZ6XGqGGZTWj9K0-4KgnE/s320/duo+mao.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my attempt to imitate her pictures</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
David Carradine said, "If you cannot be a poet, be the poem". Quotes are my endorphins, they inspire, acknowledge, and assuage rough moments. I had the idea to create Message Bubbles, some to wear, as an antidote when "sadness" creeps in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh924XVBIHDSGGSz8IxinWrd2bKaTZ_X_qS_wMvcsVCJRmjfk7s1wiOnU8CYfUr4YIuyNQZdNM21Cyqh3mdbwlrpThlOIaMT8RwT3evpDzn7xqJfxuHdaXZuACJ9K2-FpY2RuYA0IKn1LS1/s1600/message+bubbles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh924XVBIHDSGGSz8IxinWrd2bKaTZ_X_qS_wMvcsVCJRmjfk7s1wiOnU8CYfUr4YIuyNQZdNM21Cyqh3mdbwlrpThlOIaMT8RwT3evpDzn7xqJfxuHdaXZuACJ9K2-FpY2RuYA0IKn1LS1/s400/message+bubbles.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC0theJiUZe-dlQOjVLdGeM22KxBjH_8ZOKvK_nrTB4Ulm8AmrmX4GCN93jbY0ijoLuGmfShyphenhyphenarxuvyw4t_C9s_8fWMBdVNIgawBwE6adDj4RcKHNAGPJzZoEy_0fBN52Vyb8BbyYRgRq/s1600/tears.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC0theJiUZe-dlQOjVLdGeM22KxBjH_8ZOKvK_nrTB4Ulm8AmrmX4GCN93jbY0ijoLuGmfShyphenhyphenarxuvyw4t_C9s_8fWMBdVNIgawBwE6adDj4RcKHNAGPJzZoEy_0fBN52Vyb8BbyYRgRq/s320/tears.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stacked, may be worn as pendant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Akin my knitting, life is a WIP, all aspects, every moment...caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-4142327374161092692011-05-30T23:30:00.000-04:002011-05-30T23:30:45.883-04:00eulogy to ME.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>For five years, my summer starts and ends with a trip to Maine, this year marks the death of that tradition. There are many places and sites of which I will no longer visit nor see and will sorely miss. Through a pictorial, I want to pay homage to a place that I've endeared myself and will file away as part of my history.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9eqBk3xWkS2UiaGZDeWo2A_-xRphq3Uua5fVf18RRtLsRVdzXdZvlds8KMN8R3PfXy6rWgb85nDfT_c8ecqqIymOY_EyQev2BqJX7OOF6fvHYOiewBEpWaBKAHQskjofITsx68JDuD8G/s1600/view+from+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9eqBk3xWkS2UiaGZDeWo2A_-xRphq3Uua5fVf18RRtLsRVdzXdZvlds8KMN8R3PfXy6rWgb85nDfT_c8ecqqIymOY_EyQev2BqJX7OOF6fvHYOiewBEpWaBKAHQskjofITsx68JDuD8G/s320/view+from+house.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view that awaits and greets every time</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5N-3B62CGpX9O3Ks4Ijnyb94Sw5KsUJrWveatSe_-5ncZnB9ETZj4PLwaMW_t8380s-BtFM8pRZwnVa_0tY71GT6HQYVNBNIkBqEMt0iKI5hX56XrzY2IlIec-FyU-aiNt-sI6y4VU0T/s1600/woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5N-3B62CGpX9O3Ks4Ijnyb94Sw5KsUJrWveatSe_-5ncZnB9ETZj4PLwaMW_t8380s-BtFM8pRZwnVa_0tY71GT6HQYVNBNIkBqEMt0iKI5hX56XrzY2IlIec-FyU-aiNt-sI6y4VU0T/s320/woods.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the many walks in the woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_g83Pdx_ozkEGi_XNagN989BMR3XeH-SzSvC0YzpkRVvvjo4dTexgw1vit9K7_LQwCOoOYcBYKzRj9QXdS_wumYx25WHOYk7GmbmXpY_LDMzCyI7T9BeaM0xAAdlfQXpiE1BatgmLIuf/s1600/reg+milkweed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_g83Pdx_ozkEGi_XNagN989BMR3XeH-SzSvC0YzpkRVvvjo4dTexgw1vit9K7_LQwCOoOYcBYKzRj9QXdS_wumYx25WHOYk7GmbmXpY_LDMzCyI7T9BeaM0xAAdlfQXpiE1BatgmLIuf/s320/reg+milkweed.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> milkweed</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs4oe2YLOQYuoHQXyFuSKvvTNiIldHr_VxVlXSO6nE2oUCsAJtMGRfSEovfJfKYByx6qvbu7iTIvpTx2ilnX2nmS6wamFzCNFUqkH2gUa0nhOH64Gb4ay85UGG4ACKyzg2no6I2uXZW8p/s1600/profile+kezar+atop+sebattus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs4oe2YLOQYuoHQXyFuSKvvTNiIldHr_VxVlXSO6nE2oUCsAJtMGRfSEovfJfKYByx6qvbu7iTIvpTx2ilnX2nmS6wamFzCNFUqkH2gUa0nhOH64Gb4ay85UGG4ACKyzg2no6I2uXZW8p/s320/profile+kezar+atop+sebattus.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking at kezar atop sabattus</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP38wDbaTmnAtf5maRSwJ5vX8uoDwLDCn_gaG_1S-zFx5Zlw6r3-fIvOQHEBjcvjGhaaVKQ6SYXxgyWR-AG6VvGR7mPiUKZzHIQk2ISy0KMQCEVI9n3HGquWHJwTwuB_mp1exjXpIlqrG/s1600/kezar+with+kayak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP38wDbaTmnAtf5maRSwJ5vX8uoDwLDCn_gaG_1S-zFx5Zlw6r3-fIvOQHEBjcvjGhaaVKQ6SYXxgyWR-AG6VvGR7mPiUKZzHIQk2ISy0KMQCEVI9n3HGquWHJwTwuB_mp1exjXpIlqrG/s320/kezar+with+kayak.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kezar lake integral to every visit but i still swim like a rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_xCiwmo06tp_MmEV9m2o_9vIj89kpLyM6S0OdluatRcu37sPFhDn2Hvbw992vIx-tWXrKXXgB2KOUbji_7w32IXtADJ5TyYqZ39oAW18WyrdZmgXHy3dJ3ZhH1zaIvjyhK-LFkkmCFfl/s1600/kezar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_xCiwmo06tp_MmEV9m2o_9vIj89kpLyM6S0OdluatRcu37sPFhDn2Hvbw992vIx-tWXrKXXgB2KOUbji_7w32IXtADJ5TyYqZ39oAW18WyrdZmgXHy3dJ3ZhH1zaIvjyhK-LFkkmCFfl/s320/kezar.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kezar lake with glorious colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrJ6OlA8n-FHsEESddh3Fl6e3rlJ9xEKMAtMzuIMXcZZy171TdQMKMXAPFa2mt9ZpV1CSnYxXxOqdwrZb17h_Yv1jXgEyepNm_RdMY6Tt7n6m1rjJymIY4hb3ch4mPdKDhpU0uvkwBIPo/s1600/mt+wash+in+back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrJ6OlA8n-FHsEESddh3Fl6e3rlJ9xEKMAtMzuIMXcZZy171TdQMKMXAPFa2mt9ZpV1CSnYxXxOqdwrZb17h_Yv1jXgEyepNm_RdMY6Tt7n6m1rjJymIY4hb3ch4mPdKDhpU0uvkwBIPo/s320/mt+wash+in+back.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mt. washington in the back from one of many memorable hikes</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uZxDRqOA219s2bnLQbAgZbaPBuec7tjgDqaSDJcMdxFPmerHJ9Oxr45dukhp__NQG-9G4VDEefzGGdnPIjFV140549337B5EYn8csypF1_TMtN2TefT1kILmuF3eodgrIfap9HDQsbCT/s1600/mt+wash+snow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uZxDRqOA219s2bnLQbAgZbaPBuec7tjgDqaSDJcMdxFPmerHJ9Oxr45dukhp__NQG-9G4VDEefzGGdnPIjFV140549337B5EYn8csypF1_TMtN2TefT1kILmuF3eodgrIfap9HDQsbCT/s320/mt+wash+snow.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">closer view of mt.wash with snow<br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnAUrU4aXjZ1Ucwk7Xl5X3mcgCZEpZj3dIf4VKLPq82Y8LWL7ucRy4z2YCWG1hCQTcqv1rxA5EM4GJOmMjSJSMQO6bQaHFmiTsDgKE8KyGUygw7Dz24KBRQVRGTqzg4xvOnCha5fV1U1g/s1600/moose+scat+on+hike+%252708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnAUrU4aXjZ1Ucwk7Xl5X3mcgCZEpZj3dIf4VKLPq82Y8LWL7ucRy4z2YCWG1hCQTcqv1rxA5EM4GJOmMjSJSMQO6bQaHFmiTsDgKE8KyGUygw7Dz24KBRQVRGTqzg4xvOnCha5fV1U1g/s320/moose+scat+on+hike+%252708.JPG" t8="true" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">scat, closest ever to elusive moose sighting</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcI0mVBQntDxUUKHj4R8wdXak3ZJ_Cu0A8vZOLz4vUi2pKhKmxYCPqL9Fp6s2LywfLzPrce2aJcgAcRFXXhhzxiqJuS6Sh43DiCN1B4MXgxep4M_J3aX_yC0V1-_Cu6Gsnj9Huh7fbyyj/s1600/moose+tracks+%252708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcI0mVBQntDxUUKHj4R8wdXak3ZJ_Cu0A8vZOLz4vUi2pKhKmxYCPqL9Fp6s2LywfLzPrce2aJcgAcRFXXhhzxiqJuS6Sh43DiCN1B4MXgxep4M_J3aX_yC0V1-_Cu6Gsnj9Huh7fbyyj/s320/moose+tracks+%252708.JPG" t8="true" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">moose tracks in snow covered trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPNwTI9NB2ZM0-f9ujSBIUZLPFbpay7LLtyCw8Tc71zpGjI0HP_wkqPk-059YUNO0oAo6U9IUjZjQPGwHWeRHYh7d_Tp5kfQw75MB85Ltk1MK8TFxPHmc5S0akZVIgBjN1pyBeX5zo3vt/s1600/moxie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPNwTI9NB2ZM0-f9ujSBIUZLPFbpay7LLtyCw8Tc71zpGjI0HP_wkqPk-059YUNO0oAo6U9IUjZjQPGwHWeRHYh7d_Tp5kfQw75MB85Ltk1MK8TFxPHmc5S0akZVIgBjN1pyBeX5zo3vt/s320/moxie.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">developed a liking to the quintessential soft-drink; <br />
good name for my dog if i should adopt one</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXVlF2Bkm8f7J6rGVJdXRuU40PFd2UrXucxpKW1J-KwffDK4P4zM1lsYVKBSHf3dbRIt79rbjNwChZkI047bomceNC4yGyRg0F6O2rcknKX5aDIUVjqKHjneFRIVE2j6ZXqiadA0qCaEm/s1600/ogunquit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXVlF2Bkm8f7J6rGVJdXRuU40PFd2UrXucxpKW1J-KwffDK4P4zM1lsYVKBSHf3dbRIt79rbjNwChZkI047bomceNC4yGyRg0F6O2rcknKX5aDIUVjqKHjneFRIVE2j6ZXqiadA0qCaEm/s320/ogunquit+2.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trip commences with ogunquit beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table> A slim portrayal of the vistas and limited selection of the places that was a usual part of the agenda. Thank you Maine for all the fond memories!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The paradoxical truth, the best and worst thing about life is change. With every "death", there are new beginnings. Hope and fear can paralyze, but also mobilize and motivate. I hate feeling like I'm holding on to "emotions" beyond it's natural span of life. My feelings are ever evolving though. I'm starting to feel like I can denounce the anger and resentment. I may not be able to control how I feel, but can control what I do with how I feel. Disowning this negativity will not allow it to rule me or my actions. The "sadness" exists and probably always will, but I can choose to be optimistic! <br />
caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-3810354234996889072011-04-19T22:12:00.001-04:002011-05-29T23:14:29.589-04:00new endeavorsNo MLB, no PGA, no NBA, and what I'd grown fond of last year, no cycling for the upcoming Giro. I never thought I would be saying this, but sometimes I miss that familiar "background noise" of sports on TV.<br />
<br />
There is still anger and sadness, not easy to forget with physical reminders often. I know my anger and negativity reduces my own character and it probably paints an ugly portrait of myself. If this shortcoming can alleviate the repugnant feelings, this "ugly label" would be something I can live with. Unfortunately, it does nothing more than entrap me in a vicious cycle of self-loathing for "this" emotional anger to have the power to change the person I am.<br />
<br />
Despite it all, I'm trudging along. I'm proud to have finally finished a first sweater for myself, <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/83-fall-2010-patterns/712-cynthia">Metro by Connie Chinchio</a>. It fulfills my tall order of liking it and actually have worn in public! It helps that I can't stop petting the cashmere.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E9VUny9S03TjE9RoKP079L0pxVfhyphenhyphenXCp8BaI7Ql_mQ1htm14PLaRPDGfcVWYHebG-OmKUnAUegsRvvwT980VGRJT7wJ87sZRjbv0dGTo_WmrILYe2vyT7W1UyREkUgOS-kMJv1opZC29/s1600/front+metro.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E9VUny9S03TjE9RoKP079L0pxVfhyphenhyphenXCp8BaI7Ql_mQ1htm14PLaRPDGfcVWYHebG-OmKUnAUegsRvvwT980VGRJT7wJ87sZRjbv0dGTo_WmrILYe2vyT7W1UyREkUgOS-kMJv1opZC29/s320/front+metro.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFPVIcs8hlq1ULbrM7-e1gZd5e1auMw_JEkOnCB1I0DGKXnW8b_hTgV8mLQPf2I0OzzxvFzsi7upZY2KnlMUkQ37vriaGoTSHnIyFJCtkdlqya0ekRg2kzRNVTSfg92iPlsHdn4_JBRUy/s1600/back+metro.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFPVIcs8hlq1ULbrM7-e1gZd5e1auMw_JEkOnCB1I0DGKXnW8b_hTgV8mLQPf2I0OzzxvFzsi7upZY2KnlMUkQ37vriaGoTSHnIyFJCtkdlqya0ekRg2kzRNVTSfg92iPlsHdn4_JBRUy/s320/back+metro.JPG" width="198" /></a></div>It is finally getting too warm to wear now, but it will be in wardrobe rotation come Autumn/Winter.<br />
<br />
My new endeavors include glass bead making workshop at <a href="http://www.hudsonbeachglass.com/classes.html">Hudson Beach Glass</a>. Since I was only able to take the workshop for one day this time, my focus was to practice making blossoms. The beads have yet to be applied in a practical way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc1xly8xjfI0aVEs0s206zUJ7xa1TDP0FPl0RXnTB2YiyuiKVgqFJI7NZo_pBZ39pxh-RUqzU0h1j5PkGtdFF4lTe5D81F_nCv5-z_AZuGZKZH815pe5P7nhAvwE-JQydfIAVG22UWM09/s1600/flower+beads+on+plate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc1xly8xjfI0aVEs0s206zUJ7xa1TDP0FPl0RXnTB2YiyuiKVgqFJI7NZo_pBZ39pxh-RUqzU0h1j5PkGtdFF4lTe5D81F_nCv5-z_AZuGZKZH815pe5P7nhAvwE-JQydfIAVG22UWM09/s320/flower+beads+on+plate.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vTuwv27leW06eMoQBoAiaSeUdjG2lF4QN5LxWHSaxqttP_QWMo5wY3tLKFtGKF-nOPYfE3_MemNb2WMyWEv1bbereaebNN58rYc_7HF60PZLlyUQfHo5Wya8wFXdWhhNmB92pYVs7nPo/s1600/bud+beads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vTuwv27leW06eMoQBoAiaSeUdjG2lF4QN5LxWHSaxqttP_QWMo5wY3tLKFtGKF-nOPYfE3_MemNb2WMyWEv1bbereaebNN58rYc_7HF60PZLlyUQfHo5Wya8wFXdWhhNmB92pYVs7nPo/s320/bud+beads.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKwW7Ixw9DWBZD0wqkHY90FNkaMCeiuXBUpI4PMZPgATkRRy3wwbuO2FHDy_5rbc67zUbBa-CZdxDkHO854aG50Bq4FkeXPQ8GWAE5Xuk6SPPAN8B48zOQPJDi08NAu2eapPQVSznru86/s1600/2+on+branch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKwW7Ixw9DWBZD0wqkHY90FNkaMCeiuXBUpI4PMZPgATkRRy3wwbuO2FHDy_5rbc67zUbBa-CZdxDkHO854aG50Bq4FkeXPQ8GWAE5Xuk6SPPAN8B48zOQPJDi08NAu2eapPQVSznru86/s320/2+on+branch.JPG" width="227" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWNpKC375kjxfTWFnaI9ZmJsQSC73KovHoAQbjPaR4WMi7OFUN1iZta6MpygyLLwtVpEbLpJ5bfCMWlIZztXoej6YFMgLty2Xd-5vmHxM6J4C8OvP7TI8w2CuN_oKNzayNnga_LUyrQ73/s1600/2+yellow+on+branch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWNpKC375kjxfTWFnaI9ZmJsQSC73KovHoAQbjPaR4WMi7OFUN1iZta6MpygyLLwtVpEbLpJ5bfCMWlIZztXoej6YFMgLty2Xd-5vmHxM6J4C8OvP7TI8w2CuN_oKNzayNnga_LUyrQ73/s320/2+yellow+on+branch.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The conflict in schedule was due to my enamel classes at <a href="http://www.liloveve.com/classes/enamel-class">Liloeve</a>. I'm really loving this medium because of the potential and infinite possibilities. These are just test samples and techniques explored in class.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLKQEA5FEni_br3aEZM0-oq-a4hurhEbFTyJNEa-4ud7Vj5E7cewn5ev1eGa9hCNU9MVFfqXoKaiiwqUiG8IuvD_6y3uZD8r_w6fbsEMzUNatRmGeoAVL5C92uVCvSolH7YHDDS93aMtD/s1600/enamel+samples.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLKQEA5FEni_br3aEZM0-oq-a4hurhEbFTyJNEa-4ud7Vj5E7cewn5ev1eGa9hCNU9MVFfqXoKaiiwqUiG8IuvD_6y3uZD8r_w6fbsEMzUNatRmGeoAVL5C92uVCvSolH7YHDDS93aMtD/s320/enamel+samples.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left">The two crafts are related in that enameling is nothing more than fusing powdered glass to metal. These endeavors not only help in my growth of new skills, but at the same time it is "healing". The schedule and commitment keeps me busy, distracted, and something to focus on. I'm looking forward to exploring the media on my own!</div>caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-78295184747706197542011-03-11T23:09:00.000-05:002011-03-11T23:09:30.916-05:00HOPE personified"Disgust" is part of the daily workweek agenda. Incompetence, among other perverse characteristics, partnered with a prickly personality, is offensive, that unfortunately is also a reality. The quince branch is a good visual parallel to this feeling. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCpZfybHWyFxsplWEWyy_B5x2bgMXKQ-2F8eZcMSux8cAWhLq8B92kORqcAefPHt4n_-2vB97RtDP_yw5kmSYRbnlbJEMn0oGnax5zgmEe3mPXPEQk4kMsPre06kGzpf8SaIQi0aG8nQ0/s1600/quince+blossom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCpZfybHWyFxsplWEWyy_B5x2bgMXKQ-2F8eZcMSux8cAWhLq8B92kORqcAefPHt4n_-2vB97RtDP_yw5kmSYRbnlbJEMn0oGnax5zgmEe3mPXPEQk4kMsPre06kGzpf8SaIQi0aG8nQ0/s320/quince+blossom.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">quince branch<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> The blossoms are visually close to plum, cherry... but the thorns are what sets it apart. Aside from other symbolism, the possible "prick and puncture" threatens from a distance never "safe" enough. I like the quince, so comparing it to "an alien species" posing as homo sapiens, is in no way disrespecting my newfound fondness for this plant.<br />
<br />
Privately, it has been a week of much reminiscing and really missing. From everything everyday to less than nothing, is still difficult. Feigning an indifference to the "physical presence" isn't easy, but it's not anything I can, or choose to engage in especially when it's someone I can no longer respect. This doesn't change the crying in the darkness, the profound sadness, emptiness, and loneliness. The weather is getting warmer, days longer and can't help but reflect on the flurry of activities last year at this time. I "miss" all those things, and all that never will be. I feel the pressure of just "getting over it", not that I should care to be judged, but I still feel "the loss", despite what has transpired. <br />
<br />
Despite this continual mourning, I need to cling on to HOPE. I/ things will never be the same, but I will go on, and "good" is possible and will emerge from all this. Things will get better and all this shall pass. I've been self-indulgent and made this cuff/bracelet for myself, serves as a reminder to this belief and HOPE personified in a tangible object. <a href="http://www.biographyonline.net/poets/emily_dickinson.html">Emily Dickinson's</a> poem <a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hope-is-the-thing-with-feathers/">Hope Is the Thing With Feathers</a>, is stamped on it. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7VhdHdO9xmLyLI5jcqdxkc5Z0IUGooU6D2SzWcrg-KYRciRVQRpCy4NPVT2yUAmnMFfyiChItaee8fCM5s_5iB7Q7fxt8D0_y-F4U8I3VA8PuADUntdKyIT8Hhyphenhyphen44KzJiEdjLhB2Ay60/s1600/concept+to+cuff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7VhdHdO9xmLyLI5jcqdxkc5Z0IUGooU6D2SzWcrg-KYRciRVQRpCy4NPVT2yUAmnMFfyiChItaee8fCM5s_5iB7Q7fxt8D0_y-F4U8I3VA8PuADUntdKyIT8Hhyphenhyphen44KzJiEdjLhB2Ay60/s320/concept+to+cuff.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">concept to fruition</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWCEP6_MgjFe1yRHqepPlQ5qnIG9dn9ILA5b6DqOxmrDz96KPmxyq3ZilWklAKXrZF68Gh2ORr0cfdorDSrkeoinzhmuJ4W_NraLXiPqRZyqv1i0QIkZgLaT-ynIK8md9tR8GnG75SzZB/s1600/cuff+flat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWCEP6_MgjFe1yRHqepPlQ5qnIG9dn9ILA5b6DqOxmrDz96KPmxyq3ZilWklAKXrZF68Gh2ORr0cfdorDSrkeoinzhmuJ4W_NraLXiPqRZyqv1i0QIkZgLaT-ynIK8md9tR8GnG75SzZB/s320/cuff+flat.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 "feathers" pierced and stamped<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaXs_79LnKOgCsDn1LJSQWt_CtIWrQiA-rewhUHHPgkZ0T7ClYNnKbCmpIBSH-YmbO91cgsVcjrK3P6Y-8-_B_j5xwh9Vd6LNMobXr9xALT3dekFfVAPNW-3mVIFu3e3NshZTxGOn9bZc/s1600/cuff+curve.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaXs_79LnKOgCsDn1LJSQWt_CtIWrQiA-rewhUHHPgkZ0T7ClYNnKbCmpIBSH-YmbO91cgsVcjrK3P6Y-8-_B_j5xwh9Vd6LNMobXr9xALT3dekFfVAPNW-3mVIFu3e3NshZTxGOn9bZc/s320/cuff+curve.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pieces are formed</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJS37azYT0W8Y8FS768Fs1OeS0VuXgsVH-ZBPlDWYJxgy3LoK-H9f-WCsP5p5PdFV4Z-UnZVBaeJwtDNTwM82cCZCn3_SFfySF4RWakkYjIRRP_j8o5FnATqSlgWiEw4t5DfZxEoP6b-9/s1600/oval+cuff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJS37azYT0W8Y8FS768Fs1OeS0VuXgsVH-ZBPlDWYJxgy3LoK-H9f-WCsP5p5PdFV4Z-UnZVBaeJwtDNTwM82cCZCn3_SFfySF4RWakkYjIRRP_j8o5FnATqSlgWiEw4t5DfZxEoP6b-9/s320/oval+cuff.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cuff completed, patina applied</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhnwjS9oG67eZSm_Kxt_xQlkLdj4AhhRZ1t3gtj1bUx4xMNGuqbw3jfknGM8GQjOiL5F4gk_j7XNhNZE0ZTvPQqCbV1kiCG20CZ1AqBKZSyQ5tHaxmUKc8c3Wv-6H_NLun5d7_2EuNZOx/s1600/front+cuff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhnwjS9oG67eZSm_Kxt_xQlkLdj4AhhRZ1t3gtj1bUx4xMNGuqbw3jfknGM8GQjOiL5F4gk_j7XNhNZE0ZTvPQqCbV1kiCG20CZ1AqBKZSyQ5tHaxmUKc8c3Wv-6H_NLun5d7_2EuNZOx/s320/front+cuff.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">front of cuff<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivz_EKn2rt_MqNyCiG_jXOJSTCOJ5oAPsUoQ_vGGrv6rQJNmPBxW4DNO39qeYkF-o1XnB4MSIOUD9vIdzUxp86_AezrQpe-0dTXMwvav6_uTAQdEaKbFm-3aeckkmjKFUy9zFMR8Rh6KEF/s1600/back+of+cuff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivz_EKn2rt_MqNyCiG_jXOJSTCOJ5oAPsUoQ_vGGrv6rQJNmPBxW4DNO39qeYkF-o1XnB4MSIOUD9vIdzUxp86_AezrQpe-0dTXMwvav6_uTAQdEaKbFm-3aeckkmjKFUy9zFMR8Rh6KEF/s320/back+of+cuff.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back of cuff<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yoqGRo5AbNNcEq-qgh8V4reU2u7PcbvKeyuDaubaa5-bGK3emfE0QKm4mgOG-c9h7AvyV86KRRAfU4HkSqdpbSGV2NS3RlaCdeDx3jgaD6CwB2Zw9xJe-wmdHJ0M-HRLTcXXjXXy7euK/s1600/cuff+on.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yoqGRo5AbNNcEq-qgh8V4reU2u7PcbvKeyuDaubaa5-bGK3emfE0QKm4mgOG-c9h7AvyV86KRRAfU4HkSqdpbSGV2NS3RlaCdeDx3jgaD6CwB2Zw9xJe-wmdHJ0M-HRLTcXXjXXy7euK/s320/cuff+on.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cuff on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-41656608868725131512011-03-04T23:45:00.000-05:002011-03-04T23:45:18.429-05:00cruelty is not contagiousCruelty is not contagious, neither is evil. This is only comforting because it is truth. "Truth", however doesn't prevent normal human response. Confined in an environment, caught in a moment, no matter how brief or random, is infuriating. Having to use anything WTDW vacates is nauseating. No disinfectant is potent enough to eliminate this perceived contamination. I thought constant exposure is supposed to desensitize. Am I not supposed to be beneath the contempt? I can't help it if an evil imp is permanently perched on an individual's shoulder. I know I still have a lot of work ahead of me, not only on containing this rage. Venom is lethal only if I allow it to get the better of me and my reaction will only reduce my own character. My redemptive quality may be that I recognize this about myself, not anything to be proud of, nor does it make it any easier. Calm always follows, latter part of the week. But searing memories that wreck havoc on the emotional state never fail on this day. It's a perpetual roller coaster. I don't know how I'm to feel, not feel, appropriate or not, right or wrong, but whatever "it" is, I just do.<br />
<br />
I don't think I've been as productive as I could have been the last two weeks. I can't allow myself too much time to be idle because of the fear of falling into a funk, and the feared D word. I took last week off from my bench, only to put together these earrings for a belated gift. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZUhUI7KrMOCYfy1uk2z_-zPeKS2eM78qZwIBdsifJoemAaMcS8CJPrOsjmtcSdXjlq001drwTKAVoDnsZp0wBBybySnoxrpHDfCM7qBxybeFXt7vR5bDL4kUZ07UK3JQwxyTvxMDQWd5/s1600/hope+er+on+branch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZUhUI7KrMOCYfy1uk2z_-zPeKS2eM78qZwIBdsifJoemAaMcS8CJPrOsjmtcSdXjlq001drwTKAVoDnsZp0wBBybySnoxrpHDfCM7qBxybeFXt7vR5bDL4kUZ07UK3JQwxyTvxMDQWd5/s320/hope+er+on+branch.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOPE er</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPpZ7_Vx4irRLFxbOjzt9vVAxJIGua5R6Bvt8c9A5-oq4z0lUmmP8HeYAwEBYlRJTwYJV4Hgsp8SOU43Wbo-PzS6NAAK7Zp2sN9rl25F8MsD6hhaPWksuSjzqZF2Q3a_Fkaehtgc4XVLO/s1600/knit+purl+er.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPpZ7_Vx4irRLFxbOjzt9vVAxJIGua5R6Bvt8c9A5-oq4z0lUmmP8HeYAwEBYlRJTwYJV4Hgsp8SOU43Wbo-PzS6NAAK7Zp2sN9rl25F8MsD6hhaPWksuSjzqZF2Q3a_Fkaehtgc4XVLO/s320/knit+purl+er.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">knit, purl er<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I can't decide which she would prefer, so perhaps she'll get both.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>There is most progress knitting my sweater, <a href="http://twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/83-fall-2010-patterns/712-metro-by-connie-chang-chinchio">Metro by Connie Chang Chinchio</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhoWr02G9Ymitm_2k1acyDCbJTLOi7bOs1jSXooWhaOhyphenhyphenzHZTVCBXbhoUmLRsIGRoWG_NllFM4ZM8vPVSxSDxY1l03Ra9ru0ITcMv6SgKd42fiuJZJTRUgSVWsSrGdTL94YSvzWDaKl9t/s1600/sweater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhoWr02G9Ymitm_2k1acyDCbJTLOi7bOs1jSXooWhaOhyphenhyphenzHZTVCBXbhoUmLRsIGRoWG_NllFM4ZM8vPVSxSDxY1l03Ra9ru0ITcMv6SgKd42fiuJZJTRUgSVWsSrGdTL94YSvzWDaKl9t/s320/sweater.JPG" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">current WIP</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Using the luscious cashmere facilitates its progress. Yes, a finished sweater for me, a knitting goal, resolution going on two years strong! Finished sweater is within reach, liking the finished garment, yet to be determined.<br />
<br />
I received this in the mail two days ago from JMH.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1qwDD-iDsbleqyDV_ZXdw1lFQOys5IOVlBYdxJ8hSYYdlsq0hK7g-SJJOZDUQ56k1X-DDmFF7b_lTLjYFpDxV6pFw31KffaRxgZw8lQQ32K3uIGUBUti7jGabgf2eeBgwB4NDBxH5kYk/s1600/magnetic+bookmark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1qwDD-iDsbleqyDV_ZXdw1lFQOys5IOVlBYdxJ8hSYYdlsq0hK7g-SJJOZDUQ56k1X-DDmFF7b_lTLjYFpDxV6pFw31KffaRxgZw8lQQ32K3uIGUBUti7jGabgf2eeBgwB4NDBxH5kYk/s320/magnetic+bookmark.JPG" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">front of magnetic bookmark</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgis8QrxY5IyICXPEm1tV6SUXAXCZlvC4Yyb6sLMXA5wu3CpzfqCHV3NhqXsB98hijPYBtfORUYw3vKYu4v5txiG6vwvnWD3kak2TBUaF3qv_8XLKi04H6Am2Cy-kfFRC52sS5h09R0RSKm/s1600/seeker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgis8QrxY5IyICXPEm1tV6SUXAXCZlvC4Yyb6sLMXA5wu3CpzfqCHV3NhqXsB98hijPYBtfORUYw3vKYu4v5txiG6vwvnWD3kak2TBUaF3qv_8XLKi04H6Am2Cy-kfFRC52sS5h09R0RSKm/s320/seeker.JPG" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">other side of bookmark</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Despite all the heaviness on her mind, she sent this to me because of the imagery of the bird and the "seeker". Her thoughtfulness and message is well received. At this moment, I choose to adopt her optimism. I will continue on my journey to "seek", as I believe I have much more to discover, mostly myself.caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-6273954605726956112011-02-25T18:09:00.000-05:002011-02-25T18:09:03.208-05:00{this moment} a year ago today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_MQAIuf1ZwBFMkYzkTSEn_kekVbz9pVjzuDL-0I31FIjauDWyhdn_B0m14CyiFdiI5eeTT79Nnd7I0CyNIMSMBS2QRYrKyA8__Fmdu-Bw53Pi8nZGOVoYxITpSFgMQrm6G_f8477hVxx/s1600/blizzard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_MQAIuf1ZwBFMkYzkTSEn_kekVbz9pVjzuDL-0I31FIjauDWyhdn_B0m14CyiFdiI5eeTT79Nnd7I0CyNIMSMBS2QRYrKyA8__Fmdu-Bw53Pi8nZGOVoYxITpSFgMQrm6G_f8477hVxx/s400/blizzard.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to <strike>pause</strike>, <strike>savor</strike> and <strike>remember</strike>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Participating in <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/">SouleMama's {this moment}</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a cheat, technically a moment that captures the essence of a year ago today, but the symbolism and the significance of "today" no more.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-71981104147572150622011-02-23T23:58:00.004-05:002011-02-24T07:53:56.286-05:00count your age by friends<div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Count your night by stars, not shadows. Count your days by smiles, not tears. And on your birthday morning, count your age by friends, not years"- Unknown</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;">Since the first day of high school, my "twin sister" walked into my life and for almost two decades , we've been part of each other's lives. In college, we used to tell people that we're twins, fraternal just in case they were suspicious of the resemblance, but I think after a while it didn't bear any difference, because I think we even started looking alike because of all the time spent in each other's presence. She is one of my closest friends, companion, confidant, and was my college roommate. Life, at times gets in the way, and there are instances where I feel we've drifted apart. The physical distance in the last few years certainly didn't help, but I don't believe we ever drifted in heart. I want her to know, I never "forgot" her, nor ever will. I think the history is too rich and there are many more memories to add to the chronicles of this bond. When I am experiencing dark moments, I do not wish to impose my issues on others, there are obligations when time is already scarce. It is easier to wait for others to reach out when they have a moment, or for me to retreat. I know she recognizes and respects my need to have time to myself to sort things through. I don't want her to feel I've neglected her and closed her off to my life. The surprise visit has affirmed the worth, value, and trust of our friendship. I was bestowed my favorite flowers </div><div style="clear: both;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQTVrtkuEDnU0re3qe5WpNdNzK4JBYGdS6XpDWXrBE7zXX7Dj0EAFyCvOmCHwTXJxPBYGchKNk5nPSB-j6gR8apzFOelG0uWj7IoEtmnbNKfeA-sSN0jIRnToPJCp_MaLpJkX0EiKi4uX/s1600/calla+lily+b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQTVrtkuEDnU0re3qe5WpNdNzK4JBYGdS6XpDWXrBE7zXX7Dj0EAFyCvOmCHwTXJxPBYGchKNk5nPSB-j6gR8apzFOelG0uWj7IoEtmnbNKfeA-sSN0jIRnToPJCp_MaLpJkX0EiKi4uX/s320/calla+lily+b.JPG" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">calla lily</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJwdrXB2QqEOBK3sLqYKzUJX0ToX4rKAWjcSH3RHTp2NisBw6XzGyR91eCjoE8PCiD-YgLpnt777uuq_W-86IhjsXLuqmzCA1UX0XXMyQjBPkMbeaKKCfZoRho9TN8ax034UcvSNyT3d6/s1600/calla+lily.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJwdrXB2QqEOBK3sLqYKzUJX0ToX4rKAWjcSH3RHTp2NisBw6XzGyR91eCjoE8PCiD-YgLpnt777uuq_W-86IhjsXLuqmzCA1UX0XXMyQjBPkMbeaKKCfZoRho9TN8ax034UcvSNyT3d6/s320/calla+lily.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both;">and a test of her clairvoyance to my current affection for plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, botanically and visually close to plum, is part of the bouquet </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEIwPrIJ13fr5-VbQvefZF4xAEQTAi4DlshdsWSlEa9qlHzGsbw9jz7fJfVnAuad-EfxH_k8dbKruOBwghv5FOqOdWnUV4IJjAMnM0MeTOuzL2iGbXZHFyiGq_HdezGOxX2F25yohCaf2/s1600/close-up+plum+blossom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEIwPrIJ13fr5-VbQvefZF4xAEQTAi4DlshdsWSlEa9qlHzGsbw9jz7fJfVnAuad-EfxH_k8dbKruOBwghv5FOqOdWnUV4IJjAMnM0MeTOuzL2iGbXZHFyiGq_HdezGOxX2F25yohCaf2/s320/close-up+plum+blossom.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cherry blossoms</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZ9aZ2Jr_2Mi25e9lWzPWGktMNdsG3BnK_s2gP5eiHEP8DiL4U2_s_F4sZvJTjG0eG1QbtKThmWkZK0nVMgYEG4t-Ojxs-_ibRS6_jXMKGuLeGcKp0TXw5NO-llljZfbdpKaQA1v8shNc/s1600/plum+blossom+branch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZ9aZ2Jr_2Mi25e9lWzPWGktMNdsG3BnK_s2gP5eiHEP8DiL4U2_s_F4sZvJTjG0eG1QbtKThmWkZK0nVMgYEG4t-Ojxs-_ibRS6_jXMKGuLeGcKp0TXw5NO-llljZfbdpKaQA1v8shNc/s320/plum+blossom+branch.JPG" width="270" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYATte0z3x5QfTZfsGIn9NaRBpLOeZLmvxtNGglR81oq8SPf8l_BeH_kpgrDiynOrn5u9UAKXnm81Kk-WS73WqZVLyct6UNwj9hU1gsz3DRk4hJZkGjDdr0GSKPK14-DtkSJyEoLd-BY4/s1600/bouquet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYATte0z3x5QfTZfsGIn9NaRBpLOeZLmvxtNGglR81oq8SPf8l_BeH_kpgrDiynOrn5u9UAKXnm81Kk-WS73WqZVLyct6UNwj9hU1gsz3DRk4hJZkGjDdr0GSKPK14-DtkSJyEoLd-BY4/s320/bouquet.JPG" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the ginormous bouquet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Books that remind me of our travels, and a book i intend to read. </div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZ7E35ZlXUTWI2XRqXPeLc14ducKhpw9mwy6_0p8p0eIODIzXDUOC-OJaeyHXCSmXtnUPF_kVLQw6NojclXGV_GDKHXL3AQ5TXGD62q7O-N9U4xEy_GK8J8b3WXxD6lcG8OkyMM_oLUF1/s1600/books+from+betty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZ7E35ZlXUTWI2XRqXPeLc14ducKhpw9mwy6_0p8p0eIODIzXDUOC-OJaeyHXCSmXtnUPF_kVLQw6NojclXGV_GDKHXL3AQ5TXGD62q7O-N9U4xEy_GK8J8b3WXxD6lcG8OkyMM_oLUF1/s320/books+from+betty.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;">A card of which i find so endearing, </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKz1UxtFrFbj0H-mGezbTaL-TbCesTRym6VKH6L0JCzjgv6RYFzJZIy3KEPe3Fso_z3gFfJu2kure9P2rBCAZ_uBr7-JziDHKw9MiSMonJIzDkBZACKj2PUgsm8dKnInMqR5XJVxY-846Q/s1600/long+time+friends.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKz1UxtFrFbj0H-mGezbTaL-TbCesTRym6VKH6L0JCzjgv6RYFzJZIy3KEPe3Fso_z3gFfJu2kure9P2rBCAZ_uBr7-JziDHKw9MiSMonJIzDkBZACKj2PUgsm8dKnInMqR5XJVxY-846Q/s320/long+time+friends.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;">not only because of what's printed,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQMQDadNSCewLqaNYRhnLnXAwC2sUKS99g684uVAZRs06eAYmZ4Xzf7PoBX20-MyYWlIo7plAQn-y3GJQl0GnRwm2CWbsv4rdzRBBJq2YMTiudEy0c-CHT4Hr-JTmL0Mxp5DdwgUloEau/s1600/inside+of+card.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQMQDadNSCewLqaNYRhnLnXAwC2sUKS99g684uVAZRs06eAYmZ4Xzf7PoBX20-MyYWlIo7plAQn-y3GJQl0GnRwm2CWbsv4rdzRBBJq2YMTiudEy0c-CHT4Hr-JTmL0Mxp5DdwgUloEau/s320/inside+of+card.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;"> but what she has written in it (too personal to share), and for reminding me of the teapot of which i was gifted many moons ago </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApogLIDNddgbY3kkAS2d7KJkbrZjCqAcTjr6gWbvPeIiHZxQAcacYtR51FArtaY3HrQpEdWmPb5R0TtQjEuRK0v4YpDRw_JUsHkTGLpkWzwtGgk765cZjjewgfEvWBZ0p3HnAYTkMSKks/s1600/friends+teapot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApogLIDNddgbY3kkAS2d7KJkbrZjCqAcTjr6gWbvPeIiHZxQAcacYtR51FArtaY3HrQpEdWmPb5R0TtQjEuRK0v4YpDRw_JUsHkTGLpkWzwtGgk765cZjjewgfEvWBZ0p3HnAYTkMSKks/s320/friends+teapot.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZIRofh0bZ8R7IicORP0RIyNEFaEmJSc91QyNNXKyCBX87TQnNeywOi86-LCbktsze5lUBb-_krrNYo-_Bmh6hXGfXs87rT_D3hDEtbUCcDmGre-Pj8Xfz0eQueTBUuhtvs62A5Vzj15j/s1600/teapot+with+teacup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZIRofh0bZ8R7IicORP0RIyNEFaEmJSc91QyNNXKyCBX87TQnNeywOi86-LCbktsze5lUBb-_krrNYo-_Bmh6hXGfXs87rT_D3hDEtbUCcDmGre-Pj8Xfz0eQueTBUuhtvs62A5Vzj15j/s320/teapot+with+teacup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;">But above all, it's her surprise presence that has showered me with overwhelming love and support. As I sip the hot tea from this pot today, I am consumed with the deluge of her love and support. Bets, you will always be one of my closest friends, the greatest gift are the heart of true friends!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My birthday is not a day that culminates in much fanfare, my preference. But this year, I am flooded with an outpour of love. My <strike>little</strike> cozy house was bursting with people on Saturday. Sixteen of my closest family and friends surprised me at my house with a party. I was overwhelmingly touched and surrounded by love and showered with gifts. My parents brought food in abundance, leftovers of which will last me for weeks, "feeding me" is their expression of love. I received the most beautiful handwoven kitchen towels from AT too precious to soil.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJH-YpCKxLfi-ey0Ff6VAxGNCKchZdGb0XjtyULfcUmm48HMLzEdfTm-c14r7Tecih7z4E1gKnU9ApSQdum73zGkLf1rdKbvnKyL-UiCjpqVYJ8-x2HMjfZVNtCujdnY6IZhUwh1KaXrU/s1600/towel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJH-YpCKxLfi-ey0Ff6VAxGNCKchZdGb0XjtyULfcUmm48HMLzEdfTm-c14r7Tecih7z4E1gKnU9ApSQdum73zGkLf1rdKbvnKyL-UiCjpqVYJ8-x2HMjfZVNtCujdnY6IZhUwh1KaXrU/s320/towel.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq69tZKlYipkbFk5OGXKqnG-SrH5dlc-dHRIbx9ZLNS5b8qtWW59jPqyRxYW_juyYwkKac6PG4ypvroC3nY29n6AnseQseZ3Mtj_oiERmOq0dXKm6Vmvuc0aHMICaE8Stv2qYxD9Stgaea/s1600/towels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq69tZKlYipkbFk5OGXKqnG-SrH5dlc-dHRIbx9ZLNS5b8qtWW59jPqyRxYW_juyYwkKac6PG4ypvroC3nY29n6AnseQseZ3Mtj_oiERmOq0dXKm6Vmvuc0aHMICaE8Stv2qYxD9Stgaea/s320/towels.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As long as I'm chronicling gifts, from AY,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtP_FnJU1FgBHfo8nUHuA8UhagRcuPKkQD1iY1XMsy4fn7eFi7osfKcY7TEk5GassjI0_-sdWbCxwjMO9vyGUPeujCd-mIjldCEODsZACZrRHBsvA9UbDcTDyXKiks-iOPNjsxC2iCXs7B/s1600/clothes+from+annie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtP_FnJU1FgBHfo8nUHuA8UhagRcuPKkQD1iY1XMsy4fn7eFi7osfKcY7TEk5GassjI0_-sdWbCxwjMO9vyGUPeujCd-mIjldCEODsZACZrRHBsvA9UbDcTDyXKiks-iOPNjsxC2iCXs7B/s320/clothes+from+annie.JPG" width="185" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sunday was spent with my childhood friend, SB. She spoiled me with a generous stash of cashmere yarn and treats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh0z7wTG8xV1RZGLuSdLNZaZeHF6jFkjRMTgcVTbSYZCD-J3TU0PBkE-Jno3ZOq2k436MNB03EAkcKlka0VhtK7hFV_GClWCsW61yVrjrjMXL0N4UKLS-q2msHXvAYwJA66EEl7ENZ4dC/s1600/yarn+and+goodies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh0z7wTG8xV1RZGLuSdLNZaZeHF6jFkjRMTgcVTbSYZCD-J3TU0PBkE-Jno3ZOq2k436MNB03EAkcKlka0VhtK7hFV_GClWCsW61yVrjrjMXL0N4UKLS-q2msHXvAYwJA66EEl7ENZ4dC/s320/yarn+and+goodies.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tuesday, I received a package in the mail from SM. A generous loot of more treats, of which are so thoughtful. There isn't anything that she didn't take into consideration.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNH-3x6OdmenJE7PXEys9JUDr8kaZ90K3uIplZSnLYVhiQPaRX8s7sfA2xp3eCYcLciVo0MuGcVAWsSydEQKEXY3FhO1A7G9_Y_66uqRSkS-pb19V5RS3BYvz8A5RRjkxipgA4CNpRBCCi/s1600/loot+from+shelby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNH-3x6OdmenJE7PXEys9JUDr8kaZ90K3uIplZSnLYVhiQPaRX8s7sfA2xp3eCYcLciVo0MuGcVAWsSydEQKEXY3FhO1A7G9_Y_66uqRSkS-pb19V5RS3BYvz8A5RRjkxipgA4CNpRBCCi/s320/loot+from+shelby.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;">Today, I am totally spoiled again. This is from CF, a new cup dressed in a cozy ready for my caffeine fix.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj1-SlXCwFXvmgg649o2wzjL5M7QNeEk8Wfa6K1U8AbHzujCOG4vguUxU7fbu7-37LYqq8-lVbs_BQX64aT5rIrnL3EU20Zc5ibFqihIldKOOGusc5wUmPrLeuB5JGJ2bfATdZWEzPR6U/s1600/from+cathy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj1-SlXCwFXvmgg649o2wzjL5M7QNeEk8Wfa6K1U8AbHzujCOG4vguUxU7fbu7-37LYqq8-lVbs_BQX64aT5rIrnL3EU20Zc5ibFqihIldKOOGusc5wUmPrLeuB5JGJ2bfATdZWEzPR6U/s320/from+cathy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;">This is from LL'C, fragrant tea and more flowers to brighten my day.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzQpjwCq8aTxOt_Fk7ztK3gSIJqXuykl-vjrswb-G-mXAxCXjGy6zbWVS8Ife_XxW3oYQEGffiNG1-wzPtxtINaUJRdIB5HwWtHZBSu9anrOFSU85zGGjgvnO8pctpLhwN-VEuDOxRy3O/s1600/from+lorraine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzQpjwCq8aTxOt_Fk7ztK3gSIJqXuykl-vjrswb-G-mXAxCXjGy6zbWVS8Ife_XxW3oYQEGffiNG1-wzPtxtINaUJRdIB5HwWtHZBSu9anrOFSU85zGGjgvnO8pctpLhwN-VEuDOxRy3O/s320/from+lorraine.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both;">This is from AO'C, SS, and N, totally indulging my Emily Dickinson affection, and lily bulbs for the spring, hoping my green thumb is intact.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZGLl4Alp1uDnluMRmkNXDBtU4whm_hBwWk_vAJuUtoFoXMv5DlS5rkK0OrYoSZfCtHaGiqoqwtvcocpLsBFMvCWNpbHrlWnnw_9XRJDsYVLKhn2vmkz-8d6lN_eOQEJGtbs5RdEHufxC/s1600/from+annie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZGLl4Alp1uDnluMRmkNXDBtU4whm_hBwWk_vAJuUtoFoXMv5DlS5rkK0OrYoSZfCtHaGiqoqwtvcocpLsBFMvCWNpbHrlWnnw_9XRJDsYVLKhn2vmkz-8d6lN_eOQEJGtbs5RdEHufxC/s320/from+annie.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is the card N picked out <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDL12cTclyZYbbq7NE2Yh-PR7K4gWUhLrWqppBv3WxUPePINLgaliUgu9brhgzKYIteOZvY3Y12rbiP7AWpD-nZz1jVl2QsGFjbwhyphenhyphenR3Z4s1Brsz2NoYdfIMnCJkqYZ1RuiDBCT2GtOgh/s1600/queen+card.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDL12cTclyZYbbq7NE2Yh-PR7K4gWUhLrWqppBv3WxUPePINLgaliUgu9brhgzKYIteOZvY3Y12rbiP7AWpD-nZz1jVl2QsGFjbwhyphenhyphenR3Z4s1Brsz2NoYdfIMnCJkqYZ1RuiDBCT2GtOgh/s320/queen+card.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both;">inside the card,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFtOcOm0v3giVcKevV6fFZV90o-4Qh2iQCTNAVIS-t9NiryepmaLgnFWgYDjcgwIM7q8hdufy_lQXgDXEKCS5FHSaNoN5AKNglg7cUyQ_abzDVWl7o_NtEeOXJ7YeIYidPK4-Uu4a2qxY/s1600/card+from+nonni.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFtOcOm0v3giVcKevV6fFZV90o-4Qh2iQCTNAVIS-t9NiryepmaLgnFWgYDjcgwIM7q8hdufy_lQXgDXEKCS5FHSaNoN5AKNglg7cUyQ_abzDVWl7o_NtEeOXJ7YeIYidPK4-Uu4a2qxY/s320/card+from+nonni.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This deserves a close-up, the work of a budding artist,<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3zC-xK6I78-sSZk8gn8hKtD4GeVHidQcfB3U0cR77vAUd4M5sw3x4jS_ev7r40dtYipSFXJ00hY6vdXzcVKSGInBtJAR2qvjnuAfhX2NUTrkyc7Gq5PA1y1yL-o8wqwYkEbDay5BLACl/s1600/nonni+drawing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3zC-xK6I78-sSZk8gn8hKtD4GeVHidQcfB3U0cR77vAUd4M5sw3x4jS_ev7r40dtYipSFXJ00hY6vdXzcVKSGInBtJAR2qvjnuAfhX2NUTrkyc7Gq5PA1y1yL-o8wqwYkEbDay5BLACl/s320/nonni+drawing.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both;">Love that illustration, will be part of my permanent collection!</div><div style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both;">The evening was spent with RD, more treats and a "surprise" to follow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNtWWoqF7Kr1sCVj3auQu6sKxrgXrgm3hKZoVXDFe08DAjilRIq8hbxeOisIXHaGX9Ox8EkB58js3jxYhvhv5x-naT0JicW7lAvoPfbkD7G3LEDr9OIrrk6x4xcyoeQxeW_b6IOt11QC-/s1600/chocolates+from+rose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNtWWoqF7Kr1sCVj3auQu6sKxrgXrgm3hKZoVXDFe08DAjilRIq8hbxeOisIXHaGX9Ox8EkB58js3jxYhvhv5x-naT0JicW7lAvoPfbkD7G3LEDr9OIrrk6x4xcyoeQxeW_b6IOt11QC-/s320/chocolates+from+rose.JPG" width="227" /></a></div><div style="clear: both;">Her company is much appreciated and always welcome. <br />
<br />
I received a multitude of messages and well wishes throughout the day, even one of which I choose to ignore. I received a voicemail from SC, that moved me beyond tears, I think that it's just coincidental that it happened to be this evening. But, whether she knew it or not, I think it was destined to be today. Much like our meeting, she is "supposed" to pop in my life in inexplicable ways.</div><div style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both;">Aside from all the bonus benefits of the shower of gifts, and despite that this post may seem to be about a catalog of gifts, what it really means for me is the affirmation that I am truly blessed, blessed to have the people that I do in my life. Blessed to be considered so fondly, to be in your thoughts, for so many to make the trek and share your time, and for some that are closer, to actually want to find the time to be with me. I know that despite the wrenches that might be thrown my way, there are plenty of people that I can turn to and count on. I know that I will be "happy" again, the tears today were ones of joy and a touched heart, as the "heart" was definitely <strike>smiling </strike>beaming! Thank you!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-28319354623540538532011-02-14T19:51:00.002-05:002011-02-24T22:02:22.285-05:00wrapped in love<div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my predominant activities recently, more accurately chronically, is knitting. It occupies the hands and mind. The rhythmic repetitive movements of sticks and string induces a form of meditation, a stable balance of distracting from "feelings" and facilitates the calming sensation within the current active moment. Sometimes the mindless stitches enables me to escape into the sanctuary of a quiet mind and the more challenging sections forces me to focus and escape from the turmoils of the heart. The best part, the obsessive drive to get one more row done coupled with a self-imposed deadline, not only offers the many hours of personal relaxing therapy but ultimately, a tangible testament of time and dedication, my expression of appreciation and gratitude for those that have shown me theirs, personified in a finished shawl.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tis' the season of "love", thus I have embarked on a knitting cathartic personal project to honor a handful of people, some may not even know it, of whom I've drawn strength and courage, supported me emotionally, whether in person or thought, negating physical distance or geographic location, enabled me to survive psychologically, physically, some of the darkest moments. I want to reciprocate their warmth, love , and support by imparting mine through a knitted shawl.</span></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know I wanted to honor AT by using her original and beautiful shawl designs, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lareine">LaReine</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kouyou-">Kouyou</a>.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">to AT:</span> I am truly touched by your unconditional offers of love and support. The patterns offered the perfect combination of "mindless" and challenge</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">to SB:</span> For being a lifelong friend, for consistent calls, for physical support despite a busy life, for relating and truly understanding!</span></div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaTBa7AZINr-_igCNl9TOU4iTBS7Sq9c7NtPFStU4sLEnZ5-zXjOg7ymLWO1DZxebxY0SZPsI0KMMz_6lzDj2XuqCeO-hV7C9Xn3VIkHIlrWDmEyUSBKSNQJel5-awqq-nlFbDhaLe0Lx/s1600/LaReine+shawl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaTBa7AZINr-_igCNl9TOU4iTBS7Sq9c7NtPFStU4sLEnZ5-zXjOg7ymLWO1DZxebxY0SZPsI0KMMz_6lzDj2XuqCeO-hV7C9Xn3VIkHIlrWDmEyUSBKSNQJel5-awqq-nlFbDhaLe0Lx/s320/LaReine+shawl.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LaReine</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YoOL9jAKg_49Z1w2UejYIsAUDBnoqyYsc6ajsLwQjPsXbEva_V097aQC_vTwv0XEouHZZPn6jniWFr9VSonpO7tHcovmwLHUtz9c7DyNvXD_w33DeqKknD4pOapcmSsefYSdVoCRAEgg/s1600/hope+with+green+LaReine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YoOL9jAKg_49Z1w2UejYIsAUDBnoqyYsc6ajsLwQjPsXbEva_V097aQC_vTwv0XEouHZZPn6jniWFr9VSonpO7tHcovmwLHUtz9c7DyNvXD_w33DeqKknD4pOapcmSsefYSdVoCRAEgg/s200/hope+with+green+LaReine.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">color representation more accurate in this pic</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">to SM:</span> For considering me a "sister", through bonds of a different sort. For your compassion and empathy</span></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUa8WENLY3_RNBDmfcFvyrF1UJbvehudQlEaZVejqN7riqzX8FZOliVE1IaC6UURcmpEU7KzwuJz7b-wRFvSmMx-Fi6z40gocWMFymAKDvMF9Y0xkWLliiInYb-uCiQmmM6dtlAdrTRsv/s1600/eco+LaReine+shawl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUa8WENLY3_RNBDmfcFvyrF1UJbvehudQlEaZVejqN7riqzX8FZOliVE1IaC6UURcmpEU7KzwuJz7b-wRFvSmMx-Fi6z40gocWMFymAKDvMF9Y0xkWLliiInYb-uCiQmmM6dtlAdrTRsv/s320/eco+LaReine+shawl.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LaReine</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96dHHMW_W-yhulX4o4gjRlGJ79IMMudoLU1vp781pmLu9oax264u1SPtdY3tzbRTSHaKK159SuB_L1WipM_BVoqRPS_v-H46YzxdVLIEGOHTkxNbO5jE1KJ8Ry-08HmK8cmSI4JZQoDXU/s1600/hope+with+white+LaReine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96dHHMW_W-yhulX4o4gjRlGJ79IMMudoLU1vp781pmLu9oax264u1SPtdY3tzbRTSHaKK159SuB_L1WipM_BVoqRPS_v-H46YzxdVLIEGOHTkxNbO5jE1KJ8Ry-08HmK8cmSI4JZQoDXU/s200/hope+with+white+LaReine.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">to JH:</span> Conjuring moments of happy past, words of encouragement, inspiring "tunes" of hope and understanding</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbg9pci8_cosIJqI84DTNcd0qJD_Rt8Yn1zkSXx3kq0c0JG8Fe0fzBUi7ww4iEmI435ITy1q3T5Bet02PkIe2IwyPn7-f8gQJmSnogFYYSF3FL49iSljY5iGZWqOQpY8iVcg8c4Xgik-Vq/s1600/green+Kouyou+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbg9pci8_cosIJqI84DTNcd0qJD_Rt8Yn1zkSXx3kq0c0JG8Fe0fzBUi7ww4iEmI435ITy1q3T5Bet02PkIe2IwyPn7-f8gQJmSnogFYYSF3FL49iSljY5iGZWqOQpY8iVcg8c4Xgik-Vq/s320/green+Kouyou+.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kouyou</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsAYGsKOxQeC3I4tH-E4szh5Asi-oGl-OWYop6iNFOZsFDG6RLzHBTTfhSgGhh9IymlkYoX8XOUOzJm_YS-CY1IWgFJaVS3X3mx1uF0hxkvDDkN4s0M8eTfExMua8KOCiDJ9rrDvF9Itn/s1600/hope+with+green+Kouyou.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsAYGsKOxQeC3I4tH-E4szh5Asi-oGl-OWYop6iNFOZsFDG6RLzHBTTfhSgGhh9IymlkYoX8XOUOzJm_YS-CY1IWgFJaVS3X3mx1uF0hxkvDDkN4s0M8eTfExMua8KOCiDJ9rrDvF9Itn/s200/hope+with+green+Kouyou.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">to SC:</span> Brief in our meeting and furthest in distance, but enduring in thought and sentiment, would love to mirror your spirit and strength</span></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgfzzY2aUyOrKUnGSHSreRnVm_Z36aDd0-Z4qYbHMORntfAX6qDGoXsjAo3ECqXallALRZGb02XfPREL7vF2MJP2FN4IGovlFkyqPYBBIaUs00hTN1PpxW1RiwQhOtdee5c_CoS6df15y/s1600/brown+Kouyou.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgfzzY2aUyOrKUnGSHSreRnVm_Z36aDd0-Z4qYbHMORntfAX6qDGoXsjAo3ECqXallALRZGb02XfPREL7vF2MJP2FN4IGovlFkyqPYBBIaUs00hTN1PpxW1RiwQhOtdee5c_CoS6df15y/s320/brown+Kouyou.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kouyou</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE4FNZ-kqGxtq8sp9gWbNTKgAesNiGdpaCnXdlalthuF6sGivy5RZGeJVPGAPt-ZzWM-xNpRhwoufPrst7WYMSLy9XAC8gz2ru-ypfQy7WDlVoTLfVAAs4g-RaViprrcSzGpDnN4HLpMf/s1600/hope+with+brown+Kouyou.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE4FNZ-kqGxtq8sp9gWbNTKgAesNiGdpaCnXdlalthuF6sGivy5RZGeJVPGAPt-ZzWM-xNpRhwoufPrst7WYMSLy9XAC8gz2ru-ypfQy7WDlVoTLfVAAs4g-RaViprrcSzGpDnN4HLpMf/s200/hope+with+brown+Kouyou.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(All shawls accompanied by a handmade card inspired by my favorite Emily Dickinson poem)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">to RD:</span> Your wisdom, your words and as a knitting companion. I will be gifting you these patterns, as you are infinitely a better knitter than I</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">to AY:</span> Insistence of visits, by not asking ,but showing me love and support</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">to AO'C:</span> My ally, my emotional punching bag, and sympathetic ear in an environment that would otherwise be intolerable</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">and Steve:</span> I know you will be reading this, Thank You for all your comments!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are others, too lengthy and impossible to be all-inclusive. As I know that "pain" is inevitable, the warmth and love I receive from all you have made the "suffering" optional. One of <a href="http://www.buscaglia.com/about.htm">Leo Buscaglia</a>'s ideas is that "love has meaning only as it is experienced in the "now"', so now, at this moment I am allowing myself to be enveloped in the overwhelming love from those that truly matter, you!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="body"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Love is always open arms. If you close your arms about love you will find that you are left holding only yourself.</span></span> </div><span class="bodybold"> <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/leobuscagl143027.html"><span style="color: #0011ff; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Leo Buscaglia</strong></span></a><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></strong></span>caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-65493024387087770842011-02-11T23:12:00.000-05:002011-02-11T23:12:39.232-05:00for every twilight, a dawn"For every twilight, there's a dawn"- this line is from one of <a href="http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96may/emerson.html">Ralph Waldo Emerson</a>'s poems.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKaU303-gmo8d8W4LD1vDn8NBUpFzSUp6PEpAqd8iUOjZRZ7EXGo-EM3uUo-V0s4fOd4J_0PrJeZgAFCmyHqxBWq81uPzk_KiAc0FWip6tK9ROj3CHRziv_d0YtOhmgPG2IaeXzQHreP9/s1600/rendering+twilight+dawn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKaU303-gmo8d8W4LD1vDn8NBUpFzSUp6PEpAqd8iUOjZRZ7EXGo-EM3uUo-V0s4fOd4J_0PrJeZgAFCmyHqxBWq81uPzk_KiAc0FWip6tK9ROj3CHRziv_d0YtOhmgPG2IaeXzQHreP9/s320/rendering+twilight+dawn.JPG" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"for every twilight, a dawn" rendering<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHencALHxLO5bUZR7lr6vi5woYMe5qEYzBtG4Zrq-WbA9mde6OFmjuDFlfjisPMQ6wxU38vx2GpLaAN1NLShUHkpG810FO9JZLGT0ctMSBODaDFzMtTaVfOP_NGM1oGYNGN14KUHOB89v/s1600/plum+blossoms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHencALHxLO5bUZR7lr6vi5woYMe5qEYzBtG4Zrq-WbA9mde6OFmjuDFlfjisPMQ6wxU38vx2GpLaAN1NLShUHkpG810FO9JZLGT0ctMSBODaDFzMtTaVfOP_NGM1oGYNGN14KUHOB89v/s320/plum+blossoms.JPG" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">plum blossoms<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyegPTdnYtTbiSdLT-uVP93U9fv44DlGQuaKfxr0ay0gQOp3bVz_kcvJC21EbLi0NKj1A8J33yV3Kr4mFsO4VbhkPS4mHEn4FYhn5NhayIF8wlBJ0I9riU-DaErplXBcKe-7NrqTGb3_M/s1600/rendering+with+circle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyegPTdnYtTbiSdLT-uVP93U9fv44DlGQuaKfxr0ay0gQOp3bVz_kcvJC21EbLi0NKj1A8J33yV3Kr4mFsO4VbhkPS4mHEn4FYhn5NhayIF8wlBJ0I9riU-DaErplXBcKe-7NrqTGb3_M/s320/rendering+with+circle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another possibility</td></tr>
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<br />
I'm not certain how this piece will ultimately look like, but this is the inspiration and the launch of a potential idea. Plum blossoms, I definitely want to incorporate. They symbolize perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity, courage and strength, flowers "daring" to bloom in late winter. They are a symbol of spring, hope, and new beginnings.<br />
<br />
Despite what I want to believe in, I still have a hard time managing my emotions. I'm so afraid of becoming angry and bitter. There isn't a neutral environment. The most prominent, whether it be professional or personal, provides no refuge. It's difficult to not succumb to the intensity of what seems to be a vicious cycle. I seethe with hate/anger with every chance encounter. When <strike>she speaks</strike> "it barks" (not so subtle implication), I just want to scream, "if there is justice, someone would muzzle "it", the <strike>voice</strike> noise grates my ears. I get so mad at myself for reacting. Sometimes it feels like such a lonely road, why would others want to interact/talk to that? Why is it that I find it so revolting? Why am I so affected? Is there something wrong with me? I remind myself constantly that I can only control how I react. I'm only human. I need to forgive myself when I do lash out, even if I know it's inappropriate. I know every outburst is just a manifestation of the pain inside.<br />
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Oprah said one of her favorite definitions of Forgiveness is, "giving up the hope that the past would've been any different". I accept that "the past" can't be any different, and no longer "hope" for it to be. But, things shouldn't/didn't have to be this way. I can never forget, foreseeing forgiveness remains elusive, but does it mean that until I do, there's no "letting go"? I'm not just convincing myself, but I am truly working on it. I knew this was going to be a hard month, so when February is behind me, so will "many more firsts". I am channeling this energy into creating, so if I can only channel the spirit of the plum blossoms, I will "bloom" come dawn!caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678484833620447419.post-8591995862903617422011-02-03T23:01:00.000-05:002011-02-03T23:01:35.276-05:00a rock does not bleed"No matter how hard you hammer a rock, it won't bleed"- D.Ramsey<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was hung up on trying to understand, and still question, until I had an epiphanous moment, and realized as hard as I might try, some people are simply just incapable of seeing things from your perspective. Whether it be a classic example of cognitive dissonance, the pernicious nature of certain individuals, or whether the act is immoral or hurtful, certain people cannot see or think beyond the "self". I do not wish to allow "demented" behavior to dictate my reaction, but this is the hardest to execute given I have to confront this reality every day. I'd wished for a do-over for a clean slate at a start to a "new year", I've been given a second chance. Today is the start of the Lunar New Year, thus I can leave all things negative behind, hedge forward, look forward, and live up to my <a href="http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Rabbit.htm">Rabbit</a> sign. "Letting go" of the anger is priority, working on the pain that remains is a work in progress...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>caiminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05710273590627612131noreply@blogger.com1