Beautiful Simple Things #13
The Affection of Animals...
Being an animals chosen human.
My cat prefers me to all others.
She is comfort, entertainment, companionship.
A welcome addition to my chosen family.
Do you have an animal in yours?
xoxox
B. S. T. #13
Beautiful Simple Things #13
The Affection of Animals...
Being an animals chosen human.
My cat prefers me to all others.
She is comfort, entertainment, companionship.
A welcome addition to my chosen family.
Do you have an animal in yours?
xoxox
Sight Seething
Some comments on Flickr made me angry today. About an hour ago I read them and I still feel the fire in my belly! It was about this photo that a fellow Newfoundlander had taken...
This is what I commented...
Wow! So much for the kindness of Newfoundlanders.You people do not know this man's story. And while you use him for great art and feeling superior you do not take the time to speak to any of these "homeless" people.
"But for the grace of God, there go I."
Why don't you think about that for a moment?
I've had an incredibly blessed life. What about you?
Do you sell your prints Mr ***** ? Do you pay all your models I wonder?
AndreaSo I am thinking about this...
First I'll say I am not religious, I am spiritual and think there is probably a god but I don't believe it is a "He" or anything we, mere humans, can conceive...
I almost always give money to those on the street who ask. It's not financially stressing to me to give a few quarters, if it were I wouldn't, and if it helps someone...Great.
I don't believe that we should judge people because they are asking for money on the street.
I don't know their story.
I don't even really want to because that may mean I have to do something about it...while I want to be kind I am not a bleeding heart (as my mother is known to be...*hi mom*)
These comments above come from people who "assume to know" and feel important enough to decide what is right for each and every human being...
I may have made these comments myself, as a young, selfish, ignorant teenager...
How incredibly egotistical of them.
I also wonder if they have ever left the cosy island of Newfoundland?
Very few in Canada can claim to not be taking handouts, the form is the question. We have so, so much that to read these petty comments, it makes me ill.
If one or two (or more) people are too lazy to work.
So Be It! It really doesn't affect me.
I think they'd be surprised to find the drifter above is probably not lazy at all but someone who is under educated, unwell, alone, and unprivileged.
So that is my rant for today. I am going to go look for street people now and ask if I can take their photo for a couple of "loonies"= $1 coins in Canada...
*The first comment made a remark about the person's spelling. Do you think he'd be willing to teach him? Probably not.
*uh...I won't say what I'm thinking because it goes against all I've said in this post about non-judgement.
*amen as a comment is just hilarious and ironic.
*I would guess that many become stuck in places they didn't intend to be...
Quotable
For those of you needing a little inspiration today.
One of my favourite quotes.
I used to ask "How can an artist, focused on (their) craft make a real difference in the world?"
Now I know that people who are a happy make a difference. They may not be volunteering somewhere war torn and feeding hungry children but
happy people make people happy.
and That makes the World spin lighter on it's axis.
One of my favourite quotes.
I used to ask "How can an artist, focused on (their) craft make a real difference in the world?"Now I know that people who are a happy make a difference. They may not be volunteering somewhere war torn and feeding hungry children but
happy people make people happy.
and That makes the World spin lighter on it's axis.
A True Account
I wouldn't normally say all this to you but everyone else is busy...
I am living in a ZOO-ish neighbourhood today.
I am living in a ZOO-ish neighbourhood today.
I am actually stunned by the chaos "out there"...
This is what I see or hear right now. I am sitting at my desk, which is in the front window facing the road, researching the French Resistance and writing, as I said I would.
There are two grown men trying to keep a mini bike running...One has a bike helmet on and his knees are up way higher than the handle bars...The other guy, who has on high waisted white jeans with a tank top tucked in, is holding onto the back and pushing him
up the hill. Then he chases him down the hill and so on.
Over and over and over.
A neighbour next door is lying face down on the concrete step with one arm up over his head holding a cigarette. I would have thought he was dead if there wasn't an old man with a huge Santa Claus beard standing over him talking about how drunk they are...
Across the street there are two flamboyant gay men, both grey and balding, shouting at each other. One keeps yelling "Go and call Cyril! Go and call Cyril!" in his extremely nasal voice.
Both are frantically waving their arms at each other.
There are sirens, of Police cars, on the main road, 2 houses away from my home.
A car just ran over the beer bottle, the crunch reverberates.
Poor unsuspecting driver to come unto this road today!
The mini bike guy's car alarm goes off...
I head out the back door...
Vintage clothes drying on the line.
What Zoo?
This is what I see or hear right now. I am sitting at my desk, which is in the front window facing the road, researching the French Resistance and writing, as I said I would.
There are two grown men trying to keep a mini bike running...One has a bike helmet on and his knees are up way higher than the handle bars...The other guy, who has on high waisted white jeans with a tank top tucked in, is holding onto the back and pushing him up the hill. Then he chases him down the hill and so on.
Over and over and over.
A neighbour next door is lying face down on the concrete step with one arm up over his head holding a cigarette. I would have thought he was dead if there wasn't an old man with a huge Santa Claus beard standing over him talking about how drunk they are...
Across the street there are two flamboyant gay men, both grey and balding, shouting at each other. One keeps yelling "Go and call Cyril! Go and call Cyril!" in his extremely nasal voice.
Both are frantically waving their arms at each other.
The drunken guy on the step is up in his apartment by now and the noise from the mini bike must be bugging him because he is leaning out of his window yelling slurred obscenities...
He actually throws. a. beer. bottle. (labatt ice, gentle Canadian beer) from the third floor at the bike and the helmeted man who is flying, quite fast actually, down the road. On the mini bike.There are sirens, of Police cars, on the main road, 2 houses away from my home.
A car just ran over the beer bottle, the crunch reverberates.
Poor unsuspecting driver to come unto this road today!
The mini bike guy's car alarm goes off...
I head out the back door...
Calm. Warm. Breezy. Sun beams. Bumble bees.
Vintage clothes drying on the line.
Swap...Long Wait
Almost two months ago I received these beautiful beads in the mail from Star of the East. The beads were part of a swap that the artists, Mother and Daughter, Estella and Esther arranged. When I showed you these, I said I would show you what I sent in return, but only after they received my package. Well after much hand wringing and angst, one month and three weeks after I sent it, the ladies were finally able to open the package I sent them! 1 month 3 weeks!! Wow.I am very happy to say that they really liked the swap present I sent...
The quality of these photos is terrible but I am glad to see that my photo taking skills have improved drastically over the last one month and three weeks. As you can probably tell I am quite unimpressed at the amount of time it took for my package to travel from beautiful Newfoundland, Canada to beautiful Marmaris, Turkey. :( Mine was the last swap package to arrive.
This collage is part of a series called "Morning Swim", they are inspired by the swimming caps that were popular in the 1950's. Each woman in the collage has a swim cap cut from an actual vintage swim cap that tore as I tried to pull it on :/ (goofing around of course)...My misfortune was the catalyst for these collages, otherwise I'd never have cut the lovely cap.
This collage is part of a series called "Morning Swim", they are inspired by the swimming caps that were popular in the 1950's. Each woman in the collage has a swim cap cut from an actual vintage swim cap that tore as I tried to pull it on :/ (goofing around of course)...My misfortune was the catalyst for these collages, otherwise I'd never have cut the lovely cap.
GlamourSplash is a great vintage swimwear fashion blog that I also used as inspiration. I love the gorgeous vintage photos, there is something that digital photography just doesn't capture!
Thank you Estella and Esther for being patient and again for the gorgeous beads. I am renovating my bathroom with an ocean/beach cottage theme and these will be in a prominent place.
100 Days Left in this Decade
What are you going to do in the next 100 days?
I am going to...
I am going to...
- Lose more weight. 165 for New Years Eve?
- Learn a new French word a day. For my eventual trip to Paris.
- Write a least two hours a day. My novel.
- 25 push-ups everyday. 2500 total.
- Work on being disciplined. Discipline = Success.
2010 is on the cusp.
A brand new decade.
100 steps closer to the best me.
100 steps closer to the best me.
Portrait Poem
I saw this awhile ago on Katie's Blog and thought it would be fun and interesting to do...So I did and now you can too. If you want you can post it anonymously (or not) in the comments to share...
Portrait Poem
Line 1: Write your first name
Line 2: Write four words about you
Line 3: Write Brother or Sister of and then list brother or sister’s name
Line 4: Write lover of and then three things you love
Line 5: Write who feels and then three things and how you feel about them
Line 6: Write who needs and then three things you need
Line 7: Write who gives and then three things you give others
Line 8: Write who fears and then three things that scare you
Line 9: Write who would like to see and three things that you want to see
Line 10: Write where you live; city and state
Line 11: Write your last name
Andrea
Creative, Skeptical, Curious, Intelligent
Sister of Juan
Lover of Animals, Creativity and a Chosen Few
Who feels Afraid but Hopeful, Love, filled to overflow and Frustration at the current world and personal status
Who needs Truth, Discipline and cash (in that order)
Who gives Love, Smiles and Encouragement
Who fears Status Quo, Need and the death's of my loved ones
Who would like to see the end of abuses (oh so many), the World and a Cure for Sadness
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
Barrett
An interesting concept..."The Cure for Sadness"
Is there such a thing? What is your personal antidote to the blues? Or bigger, depression?
I think of the things I am grateful for, I play with my cat, I read, I remember that it always passes (though much, much too slowly) and I write. And currently I take photos.
Things that I know I should do are exercise, meditate, talk to empathetic people and get better sleep.
xoxox
Portrait Poem
Line 1: Write your first name
Line 2: Write four words about you
Line 3: Write Brother or Sister of and then list brother or sister’s name
Line 4: Write lover of and then three things you love
Line 5: Write who feels and then three things and how you feel about them
Line 6: Write who needs and then three things you need
Line 7: Write who gives and then three things you give others
Line 8: Write who fears and then three things that scare you
Line 9: Write who would like to see and three things that you want to see
Line 10: Write where you live; city and state
Line 11: Write your last name
Andrea
Creative, Skeptical, Curious, Intelligent
Sister of Juan
Lover of Animals, Creativity and a Chosen Few
Who feels Afraid but Hopeful, Love, filled to overflow and Frustration at the current world and personal status
Who needs Truth, Discipline and cash (in that order)
Who gives Love, Smiles and Encouragement
Who fears Status Quo, Need and the death's of my loved ones
Who would like to see the end of abuses (oh so many), the World and a Cure for Sadness
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
Barrett
An interesting concept..."The Cure for Sadness"
Is there such a thing? What is your personal antidote to the blues? Or bigger, depression?
I think of the things I am grateful for, I play with my cat, I read, I remember that it always passes (though much, much too slowly) and I write. And currently I take photos.
Things that I know I should do are exercise, meditate, talk to empathetic people and get better sleep.
xoxox
Last Night
Learning to use a camera, fully manual is hard, exciting and time consuming...These are from last night.
It was dark, very cold and wet.
To get these share worthy shots I took about 100!
Trying to get exposure, shutter speed and ISO just right.
Worth it I think.
B.S.T #11
Beautiful Simple Things #11
Fall Light.
Lightly fall...
Softer.
Delicate. Fragile.
Fleeting.
Wrap yourself in the gentle warmth.
Vestiges of summer sun to carry you through the long winter cool.
Fall Light.Lightly fall...
Softer.
Delicate. Fragile.
Fleeting.
Wrap yourself in the gentle warmth.
Vestiges of summer sun to carry you through the long winter cool.
xoxox
Book Crossing
Books are quite possibly my favourit-est thing.
Well, no, but they are much more reliable and interesting than the average person!
I've never read anything by this author before but the Sticker on the front got me...This book is a traveler. Maybe it has something interesting to say other than the words written on the pages. Alas, the book has been to less places than I, but I am hoping that will change. I'm dropping her off at the airport, hopefully someone traveling to London, Paris or Rome takes her along for the ride...Even another province would do.
Read about Book Crossing here. The number on the book above is BCID: 816-582-4941, check to see if she gets to Paris before I do...
Well, no, but they are much more reliable and interesting than the average person!
:/ Hopefully my boring, unreliable friends aren't reading this...;)
There is a deli/cafe/bakery/import shop here where you can take any of the books on the shelf to read and then bring them back for others to do the same, and so on. Dad and I were there a couple of days ago, taking a much needed break from renovating the bathroom (after an hour or so...You see why we are taking so, sooo long...). I saw this book...
I've never read anything by this author before but the Sticker on the front got me...This book is a traveler. Maybe it has something interesting to say other than the words written on the pages. Alas, the book has been to less places than I, but I am hoping that will change. I'm dropping her off at the airport, hopefully someone traveling to London, Paris or Rome takes her along for the ride...Even another province would do.Read about Book Crossing here. The number on the book above is BCID: 816-582-4941, check to see if she gets to Paris before I do...
Harvest
From my Father's garden.To be...
Borscht and potato leek soups.
Zucchini pickles and breads.
Salad and baked garlic.
Some good photo and interesting creative opportunities too...
Brocol-bean Horse...Tasty option for a vegetarian...
I wish I could invite you all over to share the harvest with me!The kitchen is almost finished being renovated too. :)
Lucky am I.
This Day Is...
World Suicide Prevention Day is held on September 10th each year as an initiative of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), and is co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). The theme in 2009 is "Suicide Prevention in Different Cultures." Begun in 2003, the purpose of World Suicide Prevention Day is to improve education about suicide, disseminate information, decrease stigmatization and, most importantly, raise awareness that suicide is preventable. World Suicide Prevention Day 2009, "Suicide Prevention in Different Cultures" provides an opportunity to remind people that suicide is influenced by cultural, religious, legal, historical, philosophical and traditional factors and that these contexts need to be taken into account in considering suicide prevention. Suicide needs to be understood in terms of its cultural background, and, to save lives, suicide prevention programs need to be tailored to different cultural contexts. Read More...When I was 16 a very good friend of mine hung himself in his parents garage.
I think of him often and wonder where he would have taken his amazing artistic talents.
If now, at 31, he would have the peace and the love he longed for...
I know I do.
I have scars that remind me every day of how important it is to remember that depression and desperation are treatable.
Remember today that suicide is real, take any threats seriously, and it is preventable.
Conrad you are missed.
B.S.T #10
Beautiful Simple Things #10
The picture above from Toast UK could have been any number of things...
Brand new sharpened pencils...
Plaid flannel...
Woolen sweaters...
Preparing for the cooler weather makes me feel good.
I love the sights and textures of Fall.
I think I'll go unpack my cool weather clothes.
Put on a nice pair of greyish brown cashmere knee socks that Andrew gave me for Christmas one year, a big hand knitted sweater from my grandmother and old, softer than silk, flannel pajama bottoms...
Then go sit on the deck made by my dad and drink steaming coffee from a mug given to me by Andrew and read a novel that my mother gave me.
Gratitude and Autumn.
Two Beautiful Simple Things.
xoxox
The picture above from Toast UK could have been any number of things...Brand new sharpened pencils...
Plaid flannel...
Woolen sweaters...
Preparing for the cooler weather makes me feel good.
I love the sights and textures of Fall.
I think I'll go unpack my cool weather clothes.
Put on a nice pair of greyish brown cashmere knee socks that Andrew gave me for Christmas one year, a big hand knitted sweater from my grandmother and old, softer than silk, flannel pajama bottoms...
Then go sit on the deck made by my dad and drink steaming coffee from a mug given to me by Andrew and read a novel that my mother gave me.
Gratitude and Autumn.
Two Beautiful Simple Things.
xoxox
Afro Thistle Being True
Be true to you.Afro. Straight. Wavy. Curly. Bald.
Tall. Short. Average. Apple. Pear. Watermelon. Banana.
Goth. Punk. Dork. Hippie. Nerd. Retro. Dweeb.
Straight. Gay. Undecided. Done with all that!
Black. Yellow. Red. Green. Orange. White.
Two sugar. No sugar. Sweetener.
Earl Grey. Green. Orange Pekoe. Oolong.
Old. Young. Timeless.
Whatever you have, own it.
Whatever you are...
Love it.
Sheduled Posts
I'm trying out the scheduled posts aspect of Blogger. Hopefully some of my photos will be popping up randomly until I get back...
xoxox
xoxox
Going...going...I am gone!
I am taking a wee break from the computer...
I need to focus on something else (physical, tangible things) for a short time.
I will only be "gone" for a week or so...
xoxox
"People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering." -St. Augustine, 354 430
I need to focus on something else (physical, tangible things) for a short time.
I will only be "gone" for a week or so...
xoxox
"People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering." -St. Augustine, 354 430
September Business Goals
It's Business Goal time again at Modish Biz Tips. I had written yesterday about my general life goals for the next 121 days until the New Year. I haven't been thinking in business terms at all for most of the summer but feel that it is time to put my nose to the grindstone.
Jena had mentioned in her post that August got away from her. I think this seems to be the feeling all around. Where has the summer gone? What did I accomplish? Without any actual goals in place I learned to use a jewelers saw, take and edit product shots better, made my light box, began to set up an indoor photo taking corner, finished a few pieces and gathered more items for my shop. So I feel quite good about the things I did. However my main goal, actually opening my Etsy shop, CrowNology, hasn't happened. So that is where I will start...
Good Luck with yours and see you next month!
Jena had mentioned in her post that August got away from her. I think this seems to be the feeling all around. Where has the summer gone? What did I accomplish? Without any actual goals in place I learned to use a jewelers saw, take and edit product shots better, made my light box, began to set up an indoor photo taking corner, finished a few pieces and gathered more items for my shop. So I feel quite good about the things I did. However my main goal, actually opening my Etsy shop, CrowNology, hasn't happened. So that is where I will start...
- Do everything to get my CrowNology shop open.
Good Luck with yours and see you next month!
Two For Joan
Sent to Joan Today
Joan was on a vacation in New York and picked up some lovely turquoise beads.
I added sterling and silver plate hardware, my favourite faceted Moukite rondelles, Aqua quartz, Botsawna Agate coins, a Yellow Jade coin, freshwater pearls, Mother of Pearl leaves...
I hope you love your necklaces Joan. Thank you.
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