Indulge Your Shelf

Finally -- finally -- I am going to be back with a group of women to learn and create.  I have missed this activity so much.  I signed up to attend Wendy Brightbill's   abstract painting workshop at Jeanne Oliver's studio at the end of October: Playing Big. I've been a follower of Jeanne Oliver's for some years now, and, because she lives in nearby Castle Rock, have gotten to meet and greet her here and there over the years -- at markets, and once even at her home when she had a girl-get-together for her friends.  We have many mutual friends in the art world, and one of them is Wendy Brightbill .  Wendy holds a special place in my heart because she was Ben's kindergarten teacher all those years ago.  She is also a mom and an artist, and someone whose work I so admire.  I am so excited to have this chance to learn from her, and create with her! Since it has been so long now since I held a paintbrush in my hand, Rebecca and I got together this we...

Everyone was correct -- the newest member of our family is an adopted brother for Paul Simon.  What else could we name him but Art Garfunkel?  After losing Snoopy, Paul Simon was lonely during the day.  When we got back from work, he was like a little supercharged sprite, tearing around the house and stopping only to nip us in the legs or pounce on our other extremities.  As soon as I was able to bear it, I began to look for another kitten to adopt. Here they are in their very first moments of meeting.  Art Garfunkel is a 6 month old kitten that a local woman was giving away, and she was very particular about where he went.  She suggested she bring him over after work one night to meet us, and I agreed but thought it was a mission doomed to failure.  What cat wants to take a car ride and then go into a strange house?  I was wrong, though.  She came to the door, handed me Art and he immediately started purring, then after a few moments he ...

There has been some fun and relaxation, much of it vintage style, this summer; I just haven't taken the time to write about it with all else going on.  So, now for some catching up: Ben moved back up to UNC for his sophmore year a couple of weeks ago.  This time he did it on his own -- but we did take up a carload for him. He's in a different dormitory this year, but with friends from childhood: a guy he was in Cub Scouts with and a guy who used to be a neighbor down the street.  The guy with the beard isn't a roommate, but also attends the school and is a longtime friend. His sweet girlfriend is also attending the same school this year. I bought some wonderful vintage sewing notions from a friend who sells on eBay, Linda  -- don't you love this little hosiery repair kit? Of course, it included buttons... and this unique package of trim.  I love stuff like this! The staff photographer took us out on property to take some head shots o...

Last week, something horrendous happened to us.  Our dear friend, Snoopy, got sick on Friday and, on Sunday night, he passed away.   He was only 11. This photo was taken exactly one week before his death.  That day, we were at a picnic and Snoopy had a great time.   In the coming days, though, we noticed him seeming tired, and twice I found him hiding in the closet.  It wasn't until he stopped eating and clearly wasn't himself on Friday night that we knew something was really wrong.  We took him to the vet Saturday morning, and the Dr. said he suspected kidney failure .  He took blood, gave Snoopy some shots, and sent us home with some special food and directions on how to care for him until we got the blood work results on Monday morning.  But, he was gone on Sunday night. We have been in shock. I have no words to express how much we are grieving. Our other dog, Maggie, passed away last July.  She was 2 years older than Snoopy. ...