Artorama

this is the first year in several years we are not in Mexico for the season. I like the snow, but it has really ruined our travel plans. Personally, a weekend in the spring for all of the family to get together sounds better to me. I am going to enjoy whatever the week brings

We were supposed to be on a plane to Denver and then on to Vail for skiing. We are in the middle of a huge snowstorm. The guys who plow our drive said the forecast, (not the ones we get on tv) is for 3 days of heavy snow... They are going to do our sidewalks everytime they come now... Sandy's mother Myra is not doing well. The priest was called in for last rites. She is a practicing catholic. As I write this, I hear a lot of sirens. Don't know what is going on... Hope no bad accidents. It is slippery out there. Driving conditions are not good.

I have these 2 new photos in my collection. I can't find a Eddie Howard Bar in this area.. There was a Eddy Howard who dropped out of Medical School to become a singer and ended up dead at 48 years old. He died in Florida. Judging by the way these people were dressed in the top photograph, I'd guess 40's -50's and not in Florida with the overcoats and furs. The bar, which I think was a piano bar, from what I can tell, sure got run down from the time the first photo was taken. The 2nd photo boasts perch dinners for $1.00 and several signs stating " No Dancing Allowed". The bartender was nicely dressed in the first photo and in the second, he looks like he rolled out of bed to be there. Or, maybe no air conditioning, or both. The photos were bought in the area where I live, but there is no telling where the bar was located. Too bad. I love the history on these old photos.

Christmas day has turned into Christmas Night. The highlight of my day was feeding the neighbor's horses, goats and barn cats.

  After snowing again today, it is now freezing rain. Pretty awful driving conditions. I should know I had to drive in this mess. I let a lot of people on side streets cut in today. On a day like this, everyone should be even more courteous than normal... we all deserve to get where we are going in a timely fashion. I try not to worry about all the animals in this weather. I know nature provides shelter for them. They have survived worse. Even the mice in barn need shelter I suppose. Assuming they are still alive, since they may have eaten poison. I'm looking ahead already to 2010. It will be a good year. I can feel it already. So, everyone should stay warm, be safe and happy.

  Tommorow is Christmas Eve. Hope everyone gets what they want for Christmas. I hope Sandy's Mom gets Peace.... whatever that entails. We put good thoughts and prayers for Sandy's mother, who is in the hospital.

Frank listens to a Podcast by a local radio personality. This guy said he hates Christmas. He said his wife and kids like it, he hates it. He said Harry Carry, the famous White Sox and later Cubs announcer also hated Christmas... so much so, that he went to a hotel and drank until the holiday was over. I don't know if it's true, but if you ask me, it sounds like he just wanted to binge drink. Saying you don't like Easter or Christmas or whatever and sitting in a hotel drinking is just that...drinking by yourself. Sad. I'm not going to these extremes, but the older I get, the least interested I am in Christmas. 100 years ago, the consumerism of Christmas did not exist, so there was no big hoopla about Christmas...But there were no Malls or Ipods back then. What were you going to do? Make a nice meal, bake some bread, cookies, simple things. See what happens when you get older? YOu end up talking like the old foggies you had to tolerate when you were younger. Ro

I'm fasinated by roadside graves. The whole phenomenon of decorating the site where someone died is relatively new to the US. When I was a little girl you never saw a cross or plastic flowers or a vase of flowers in the road marking where someone died. It just was not done. Those plastic flowers had a home and it was the cemetary where the dead person's body was laid to rest. I don't know if it is from South America or Mexico, but this tradition has taken over our roadsides. I thought it would be a great book to research and photograph a section of these roadside graves. Would anyone else be interested in the person who died or the persons who are building a tribute to them on the side of the road? My other idea for books: Photographs of people sitting in their plastic and aluminum lawn chairs in front of their open garage/driveway. Another situation which fasinates me... I mean, WTF, why would you want to sit in your garage or driveway in an uncomfortable chair un

This is a bear with a pointy hat and skirt. She is tired and resting in the Art room. I need to look at her to get inspired.

We went to this French restaurant near us and Frank wanted to try the Anisette. This is how they serve it. I drank one or two myself, but did not hallicunate. If you have ever done acid, you know what a hallucination is, and I did not hallicunate. It is just liquor. Serving liquor poured over a sugar cube will always get me. I have a real sweet tooth. My downfall. I love sweets.

Gordy during the holidays

Frank and I went to see the movie with George Clooney. It was good. We had some interesting discussions about it afterwords. To me, a sign of a good movie is one which makes you think and stimulates feelings, emotions, etc. Music and Art can do the same thing.

  It was snowing this morning, but stopped. My husband's cousin said it snowed in Florence, Italy and her husband and business partner had to be rescued by the police. It does not snow in Florence Italy. I told her if it can snow in Arizona, it can snow in Florence.

L'huile brulait pendant huit jours et huit nuits. Today is day number 4

Snapple cap fact #771: Some dinosaurs were as small as chickens.

It happens to a lot of us out here in the Midwest. The winter blahs. Too cold to do anything outside, too much wet snow, or both. We end up spending a lot of time inside (aka cabin fever) the house and it drives us a little crazy. I'd like some time to do some art, but I have too much to do and have to work again tommorow. Photo taken in Madison Wisc this summer.

This is my 2nd season of eating Ambrosia Apples. I discovered them last season. Initially, I found them at Trader JOes. Now I cannot find them there. They are the perfect apple. I'm so glad they are back in season. I wonder if Cananda, (where they were invented) has them year 'round? We were in Vancouver last February and they were plentiful, but then they were here too. My neighbors tried one and agreed it is a perfect apple. Cold snap continues.

Frank went to Roswell NM for business. I wanted to go with him, it did not work out. I asked him to take some photos for me. He said the gift store was better than the museum. Boy do I agree with this statement. I love museum giftstores anyway, who doesn't? Our first bit of cold weather. Ah, the sun is shining, so all is well. Just have to stay warm.

To my friends who have traveled to Egypt: Snapple "Real FAct" 889 The original Cinderella was Egyptian and wore Fur Slippers. I say neato.

 

  Been pricing vintage xmas since before Thanksgiving. Today was our holiday gala and sale at the shop. I registered for a metalsmithing class in Jewelry today. I got the last seat in the class. I like to keep busy. Someday I hope to actually make some art again.

  Did this artist paint the face to look like Elvis or what? Or don't you see the resemblance?