A Little of This and A Little of THAT

"If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun"

"If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased"

"never complain, never explain"

I have spent a greater part of my life being a people pleaser.  What I have learned is this...you can't please everyone.  K.I.S.S. -  keep it simple stupid - I am a slow learner!  I am not an advocate for being selfish and inconsiderate.  That being said you can only show up in the world and do your best.  

I admire brave and gutsy women.  Many I am happy to call my friends.  Bend the rules, live out loud, live by the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law women!

I cry often and easily for any number of reasons and am thankful for a release valve.  If I kept those emotions tucked away I would explode for sure!   Just shed a tear or two (happy or sad) I will be right there with you sharing a hankie or two.

I traveled a lot as a child - preteen...my parents allowed me to purchase postcards as a treat.  I recently located those postcards and many that were sent to me from friends traveling.  I stumbled across Postcrossing and have renewed a childhood interest.  The joy of discovering a postcard from a friend you haven't met yet in lands distant or near is the biggest smile across your face kind of JOY. 

I have a love/hate relationship with photography.  I love to capture unusual pictures.  There is so much to learn and my time seems so limited.  A picture tells a thousand words.  I can look at flickr photostreams all day long and wonder.

Being creative is an essential part of my day.

I totally enjoy all aspects of ART...participating and observing. 

I do what I must to amuse myself...I enjoy my own company...A LOT!

I can be very cranky when I do not get the solititude I crave.

I am an observer and explorer...curiosity killed the cat...satisfaction brought it back!!!

My blogging friend, Connie sent me an award and this prompted a rather free form exploitation of the "rules" if you would like the award feel free to share nine less known things about yourself and let me know! 

Many thanks to my friends and family and others that drop in to visit.  I hope you enjoy your stay.

p.s.  I am loving the Katherine Hepburn stamps, hoping the local post office has some and maybe, if you want I will send a surprise your way...just let me know in the comments or email.

The Chemistry of Color

" I have always tried to paint the way poets write their best poems with feeling, imagination and some semblance of the shape shifting truth" Edward Hughes

Tar Beach (quilt) Artist:  Faith Ringgold..."Any one can Fly...all you need is somewhere to go that you can't get to any other way...the next thing you know you're flying among the stars.

I took myself on an Artist's Date (The Artist's Way) rather unintentionally.  I realized that The Chemistry of Color exhibit would be leaving our town after Mother's Day and I really did not want to miss it.  Some of the paintings took my breath away, gave me goose bumps and reduced me to tears...the raw emotion in the art was that poignant!  If this exhibit comes to your city or town or nearby, I highly recommend putting it on your list of things to see.  You can read a review of the exhibit here  This is an exhibit of African American artists with many of the artists not relishing that title.  Most prefer their art to stand on its own...art for art's sake without the separating nomenclature.  The exhibit included paintings, drawings, photography, quilts, sculpture and mixed media.  My cell phone was burning a hole in my pocket as I longed to take photos of my favorites, however it can be damaging to the art and the museum police were there to make sure I was tempted even less. 

As a frustrated artist (or wannabe) I appreciate the work, talent and soul that goes into each piece of art. It takes a great deal of courage to "put yourself out there"  I had an opportunity to submit art for possible publication in two different books...this is what I learned...I am not good with deadlines...that the FEAR of rejection paralyzed every creative bone in my body (or either I was entirely too critical) and THAT FEAR manifested itself in the form of ill health.  Oh yes, everything is connected.  A couple of quotes by some of the artists really stayed with me, their stories and their vision inspired me.  "Time is not important as an artist, you should just let it unfold"  this was an Eastern proverb (?) quoted as a favorite by Earl B. Lewis. 

One of my favorite singers, songwriters, mentors, (she wears many hats) Christine Kane, says basically that you just have to show up.    If you are lacking courage, Christine has an excellent e-zine/blog post:  52 Ways to Build Your Courage that can be found here.  So what would you create if you knew you would not fail?

"My art is about what I make as opposed to what I think about what I should make"  Raymond Saunders

She's Come Undone

The Guess Who nailed my 2010 with the perfect lyrics.  I only take issue with the lines that say It was too late.  It is never too late!  At least I sincerely hope not.  I am currently either bipolar or highly hormonal so I am thinking I need to go into the shop for some minor repairs and adjustments...see you on the flip side! 
(a little sand, sun and ocean is a cure for most anything!)

She's come undone


She didn't know what she was headed for

And when I found what she was headed for

It was too late



She's come undone

She found a mountain that was far too high

And when she found out she couldn't fly

It was too late



It's too late

She's gone too far

She's lost herself



She's come undone

She wanted truth but all she got was lies

Came the time to realize

And it was too late



She's come undone

She didn't know what she was headed for

And when I found what she was headed for

Mama, it was too late



It's too late

She's gone too far

She's lost herself



She's come undone

Na, na na na na na na

Too many mountains

And not enough stairs to climb

Too many churches

And not enough truth

Too many people

And not enough eyes to see

Too many lives to lead

And not enough time



It's too late

She's gone too far

She's lost herself



She's come undone

Doh doh doh doh ....

It's too late

She's gone too far

She's lost herself



She's come undone

She didn't know what she was headed for

And when I found what she was headed for

It was too late



She's come undone

She found a mountain that was far too high

And when she found out she couldn't fly

Mama, it was too late

It's too late

She's gone too far

She's lost herself



She's come undone

Doh doh doh doh doh doh doh doh

Baby, You Can Drive My Car...Beep Beep'm Yeah!

Baby you can drive my Car

Yes I'm Gonna Be A Star

Baby you can drive my car

And maybe I'll love you

Beep, beep'm, beep beep Yeah!

Several of my blogosphere friends have wondered just what I drive that gets me in so much trouble.  Is it apparent that my car is smirking and saying "Can you Handle This."  This sleek darling was a combination Christmas/Birthday gift from my sweet husband.  It a six speed manual transmission (really, who would want an automatic sportscar?) Porsche Carrera.  It has a rear engine and a minuscule backseat (you would fit comfortably if you were three feet tall)  A very dear man kept it in his garage for about five years...so essentially it is still very, very new to me.  Men flirt with this car all the time...they speak to me to be polite!  Younger guys always want to show their stuff and I'm like DUDE...are you kidding me!  Sometimes, and I blame the car totally, I can't resist and have to show those guys just how fast this grandma can go.  This is why the South Carolina Highway Patrol attempts to keep me in check.  As I have said before, it is the car's fault...it just doesn't like to drive below optimum performance and pray tell where can you drive that fast legally except at the race track?  Me and the car, we have an understanding...now if we could just get the police force on board we would be golden. 

Happy driving my friends and if you ever come this way...we will surely go for a spin!