We're Getting There.

'THERE' - the place we're getting - is: almost done with the shower. Yippee! End of renovation until we rebuild our forces. Right now we're on our second large tube of BenGay to massage those sore muscles in the Mister's back and shoulders.
Today, January 31st, he was ready to cut a hole in our roof over the bathroom shower stall "we're" remodeling. (I like that "we're." My role consists of bringing beer from the kitchen or store and rubbing the cream on his shoulders. But, as they say, "it's a job.")
Above left is a picture of the shower in its beginning state of destruction. The light coming in is directly from the outdoors. We had to tear out a lot of dry rot, which sounds weird. Wasn't this all caused by a poorly built shower which was almost constantly wet?
After the Mister was through tearing out the closet we decided to sacrifice for more shower space, putting in the plumbing and building a wall between the two bathrooms, Greg the Tile Master got to work.
He laid down Wonderboard on the floor and put visquine down and around on the walls. Then he put up cement board on the walls that he adheres the tiles onto, and he built another small wall that will keep the water within its own territory. Whew! A lot of work! (The wall will have nice tiles on it so we won't have to look at cement blocks.)
That was when the Mister cut a hole in the roof, and Ricardo, the roof guy, came and roofed around the frame for the skylight. Brr! It was in the 30s outside, but blue sky.
Now, this evening, the hole in the roof is blocked up and everything is nice and warm. The skylight window hadn't come in, but we needed to take advantage of Ricardo's schedule and the clear weather.
Tomorrow Greg will lay actual tile, I think. Today he also finished the basic form of the shower bench that will allow us to sleep a little longer in the mornings while warm water runs over us. Ahh! Makes all those trips to the store for beer almost worth it.
Don't think I didn't do something artistic today. I got myself an Obamacon and designed a postcard for our nonprofit art group. I'll show myself to you with my word for this year: Confident. - femminismo

Another Day, Another ... Day.

YES, that's just about it. It's been another day. Not complaining, because there was somewhere to go and something to do and people to see. Some favorite people; some not. But there you go. That's life.
I hear Bonnie Raitt singing in my living room. She's not here in person, but pretty close. She's warbling "Too Soon to Tell." Lovely song. I am tempted to download one of those "jukeboxes" I come upon when I visit other blogs, but I don't know if everyone's as enchanted with my idea of music as I am.
Well, as you can tell by the photograph it's someone's birthday today. The advertising crew at work is slightly nutty for Tom Selleck, and in his honor doughnuts were bought and Hershey kisses were spread randomly over a Hawaiian print shirt. (Maybe it's a shirt Tom once wore on his TV show. No one is talking.) His picture was posted and the boss's orders to keep that sort of stuff off the new walls be darned. Ah, what we will do to make the days a little more interesting.
I visited a blog, Laurel's blog, through Seth's blog, and found a link to the movie "Coraline," where you can make your own flower. Here is mine:
Fantasticalla. It would be fun to hybridize a new flower wouldn't it and name it what you wanted. I can see where the thrill comes from. If a link opens under the flower, follow it to make your own, too.
Well, yoga is tonight and I should be working on my altered book journal pages.
Talk 'atcha later - femminismo

Snow and Rain and Birds = Nature.

WHILE I sleep tonight in my cozy little bed, "The Master of Ballantrae," which by the way is subtitled "A Winter's Tale," will freeze outdoors. Underneath the neatly tied pages perhaps the beetles and worms are rising up, exploring the pages - wondering what is overhead.
I've been busy at the computer designing a postcard for a group I belong to. Good practice, but having them published online is demanding. Either my artwork is too high a resolution or too low. Or the drop shadows are causing a problem and something is "rasterizing." Argh! Frustrating. Or I'm going to meetings! Yuck! But for a good cause. The renovation of our nonprofit art gallery. The grand opening is set (in stone) for April 9. I hope you will attend or at least come along with me via photographs.
We held our meeting at the local church which was providing severe weather shelter, since it's been snowing and freezing. As I left, an acquaintance was chatting with the head of the volunteers. He said they wouldn't be open tomorrow night, since the temperature would be warmer: above freezing. We were both distraught, but volunteer help can only be stretched so far to keep the church open all night. What in the world is the answer? - femminismo

It Snowed Last Night on Robert Louis Stevenson!

THAT'S right. Even though he's been gone, lo these many years, last night Stevenson got a soaking. (Well, his words, actually.)
My Disintegration Project, instigated by Seth and The Altered Page, is on its way. Here is a picture of the evidence that a little bird checked out the project too.
Cold, wet words this morning, and excited me hovering nearby with my camera. The small round circles are plops of rain from overhanging limbs. The Mister saw me taking pictures of the ground and figured I was up to something again. I cannot wait until spring now for more than one reason.
I was also working in my journal/altered book, painting a page. I have taken the advice of another blogger and started making my own stencils and stamps. Wish I could tell you which blogger, but my travels - as are yours, I'm sure - range far and wide.
I have found several images in books and magazines and using an Xacto knife have cut out and then painted either inside the cut-out image or just laid down the image and painted over it and then peeled it back up. I have been thinking about our times and President Obama's call to action for everyone to give something to the cause. Art and young people come to mind, since I volunteer at a non-profit art gallery that is undergoing a major renovation. There will be classrooms and I am wondering if there can be free art classes where media can be manipulated and experimentation can happen??? That is what inspired this page when I was asking myself what I can do to help. More later - femminismo

Inspired by Seth at The Altered Page.

I REALLY don't know what Seth, at The Altered Page, is up to, but I have an inkling, a premonition, a presentiment, a hint, a suspicion, a vague idea.
He took pages from a book, wrapped them with string and said something about a project called "Disintegration," and "winter is the right time to begin," and nature is his co-conspirator. He showed his project in the beginning - which you can see by clicking on the link above under his blog's name.
I sacrificed one of Robert Louis Stevenson's works to see what Mother Nature and I could come up with. Today is the 24th of January, not exactly the beginning of winter, but let's see what spring brings. You can tell by the photo that now, right now, it's official: I am a certifiable nutcase. Or an artiste! Your choice, but I hope you pick artiste.
I am still enjoying the oil painting I bought yesterday. It is such a jewel! Check it out below if you didn't get to see it. Enjoy this day. Do something creative that verges on nuttiness and see what happens - femminismo
p.s. Keeping me honest, I must admit I changed the photo since I was here last. I decided to paint the pages a bit with gesso and acrylic - to give them just a little color and protection. That's all. Over and out.

Little Did I Know When I Went Looking ...

TONIGHT, running errands for myself and the Mister, I happened into a video store, Movie Madness, that is selling off its stock. Could it be because of Netflix? I expect we'll all soon be getting our movies in our mailbox, off the Internet or streaming through TV cables.
Movie theaters, with smooching in the back rows, and the smell of popcorn and huge images with lips 2 feet high may soon be a thing of the past. Woe, woe, woe, I say!
Well, where was I going with this thought anyway? Oh, I know! I was at the video store and a painting caught my eye. The owner is cleaning out everything and she brought out some paintings she had in storage. In storage! The one you see above is what caught my eye, and why not? Have you seen many things as gorgeous???!!!
Bernie Messmer is the artist's name. I talked with her for a while, but think I will be going back again. I want to find out more about this artist who was trying to find her way in the 60s, with the other hippies, and still has no plan for her life. She's just been going along, she said.
She has talent, I think, and I'm ashamed to tell you how much I paid for this gem, so I won't.
I adore the three buildings, the three women - one with a pot on her head, casting a long shadow on the roadway. The gate open, the swirl of blue clouds, the rainbowish arch of color in the sky. The turquoise windowsill and the bell tower. There's more to discover, I know.
I've been quiet for a while, busy with other stuff. Trying to do my part helping with the bathroom project. This mostly consists of rubbing the Mister's shoulders and neck with Sportscreme. It helps a bit.
I just painted a couple journal pages and I'm waiting for them to dry. The SoulJournal group has prompts I want to pursue, so I'll show the results of those as soon as I'm able. Hope things are going well for you - femminismo

Touchstones for Me ... and Possibly You.

SOULJOURNEY, the Yahoo group I have joined, has a new prompt each week, but I am behind in what I've accomplished. Yikes!
I got a chance to sit down the other night and go through magazines looking for words or phrases - defining words and power images - that are what I would like to include in my life in the coming year(s). It is fortunate that I am working with a very large book because I found so many words and phrases that I could not bear to part with. I ended up with two pages full of words that mean something to me.
Notice a few maps and foreign phrases in there. Could that mean travel?
We were also asked to look for one word that resonated with us. I was stuck for a long time, but now I believe the word is "possibility." Yes, that is my word. Look for it starring on its very own art journal page soon.
Tonight was yoga, and I didn't believe I would be able to go. Not because I was fearful my shoes would be taken again. No, this time I was just too sad. I thought I might spend all my time crying. I can't really talk about what's making me sad. Not right now, anyway. But lo and behold, I knew the yoga would be the best thing for me and at the end of the practice I was feeling 110 percent better. Taking care of ourselves is always the hardest thing to do, isn't it?
Thank you everyone for your comments. Four things: Tammy, I miss you too, you sweet girl! My oldest granddaughter got engaged to be married! And Candace, I am so glad you got your scarf. And, Barb, I love my bag. Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite - femminismo
p.s. I also finished the cover on my November-December journal. Odd, isn't it? Not quite finished here.

Off On A New Tangent.

"MAIRA Kalman, Maira Kalman." That's all you'll hear from me for a while. My work colleague and friend, JoAnn, turned me on to her by showing me a book Kalman had written, "The Principles of Uncertainty." Filled with her gouache illustrations, (from photographs, I think) it inspired me to be on the lookout for people from everyday life I could draw and write about.
The first person was a woman in the supermarket - a small, "real," hometown market, not an upscale foodie paradise. It was just before Thanksgiving and the woman smiled at me uncertainly, almost shyly, as if she were out doing something she shouldn't. She stuck in my mind and I drew her into my art journal. Let's see if I can find her ... her she is above.
I missed a great opportunity a few weeks later. There was a man with long hair smoking in the same grocery store parking lot, leaning on the hood of a car. Boy do I regret not taking his picture!
So when I saw Michelle - I didn't know her name when I stopped her - I ran after her and boldly asked if I could take her picture. She was so gracious I almost couldn't stand it. What a joy! Here she is in a new journal I have begun that is solely dedicated to the people I meet throughout this year. Please note, I am not finished painting Michelle. And, as Kalman preaches, it is not the artistic ability, it is the doing. (I translate her philosophy roughly here.) If you want to read an interview with the artist herself, check out this blog.
Now I must get going on this day. I have cleaned our main bathroom, now that the dust has settled from the most recent renovation stage on the room next door (which is the small bathroom off the master bedroom). The floor had almost dropped out and there was dry rot in the walls. The Mister has been a busy bee, working through the knee pain he has after his November surgery. He's been going to rehab and exercising, but construction is rough, hard work for the healthiest knees. We have to shop for shower tile and Creative Circle is tonight with a mystery project scheduled. Cannot wait - femminismo

Yay! The Shoes Are Back - and Do They Have Stories!

MY black Dansko clogs are back home where they belong and Katrina's shoes are with her. At yoga tonight we exchanged stories of where they had been.
My shoes went on MAX light rail to her house - a journey they didn't expect - where they waited patiently while she cared for her cat that had just been spayed. (They must have felt honored to be in the company of such a responsible pet owner.)
Then the shoes kept her company as she started a new book, "The Wicked Lover." I read the first page on Amazon - and my, oh, my! Sounds like a great bodice ripper to me. If only my shoes could read. Well, one thing at a time.
During yoga the shoes must be placed in a rack outside the room since the floors are soft, cushiony jigsaw puzzle pieces made only for walking barefoot and laying on. So I'm sure Katrina's clogs and my clogs had a good chat. I'm not sure my clogs care for cats, but I didn't mention that to her.
Her clogs may not have cared for the restroom in the Chinese restaurant, where I took them. Oh, well! Cest la vie. It's good to have your own shoes back - ones that fit just right. Katrina said mine were a little too tight. I found her left foot is bigger than the right - or the shoe is, anyway. We both agreed, however, they are comfortable shoes.
Here is something I found today while trying to round up some order in our home office. It's a strip of self-portrait photos I took in about 1988. I scanned them in from a contact sheet that I made when I was doing a lot of photography and had my own enlarger and darkroom, aka my bathroom. Enjoy - femminismo

Walking In Another's Shoes.

I'M sure that if you didn't hear it from your mother, you certainly heard it from a teacher or read it somewhere: that bit about walking a mile in another person's moccasins.
At yoga class on Tuesday night I went to get my shoes by the door and found them gone. There was another similar pair, but they weren't mine. They were the same brand and kind of shoes (Dansko clogs), but they were shiny black, not oiled leather ones. "Close but no cigar," goes another saying.
Someone helpfully suggested another pair on the shelves, but they were about a size 10 and looked like men's shoes. I don't think so!
I took the shoes into the office and told Marie, the instructor, that someone had mistakenly taken my shoes, and I would wait a while to see if she came back. Otherwise, I'd leave my phone number and wear these home, since they fit perfectly. I couldn't walk in my socks to the other end of the rough wet pavement. I ended up wearing them home.
The left shoe was bigger than the right and loose on my foot. The arches seemed to fit better than mine had. That was nice. I walked carefully to the car in the darkness, trying not to bump them against the curb. They were pretty nice and in good shape.
Since I had planned my wardrobe for the next day, and the pair of shoes I was going to wear were the clogs, I wore the stranger's shoes.
I wondered what she did for a living. Where did these shoes take her every day? I usually felt pretty confident walking in my own pair of clogs and found myself striding along, but catching my toe every once in a while because for some strange reason these shoes reacted differently. They seemed a bit longer - or something. They just felt strange. The toes on the right shoe were a little tight. What must my shoes feel like to the stranger? Was she wearing them even then?
The shoes took me to work and then we drove to a doctor's appointment. The shoes eavesdropped on all my conversations. The shoes went with me on my search for Chinese takeout. The shoes went with me to carry in firewood.
Then they came off and I put on my tennis shoes. I checked my answering machine and there were three messages. One was from the stranger. I called her and she was so apologetic. I will meet her tomorrow, at Thursday yoga. We will exchange shoes and maybe I will learn a little about where my shoes went and what they did without me. What I want to know: Is my left shoe tight on her and will the four shoes talk about us while they're waiting on the shelf at tomorrow night's yoga class?
Some (a few) may remember the Living Leaves I made in memory of 9/11 on Sept. 11, 2008. I made a few leaves and others did too (search the Google bar at left for more on this story) and we hung them on trees in Forest Grove along Main Street. Well, today I went downtown and found one of the leaves on the ground - just laying there. It had been outside since September, through rain, wind and two of December's coldest, harshest snowiest weeks in 40 years, and this is what was still left. Down at the bottom are tiny words I can no longer read. I thought I saved a photo of the leaf when it was new, but I don't think I have it. The beeswax on the picture and Kraft paper have preserved it fairly well. I like the "patina" it's got now and it will go into my journal.
Sorry this is so long. I really get going, don't I?
There are just two more photos I wanted to show you and then I'm gone for tonight. One is of the memory of leaves - left imprinted on the sidewalk. Another is the grate around the base of a tree downtown. I hope life's being good to you and you've done something creative today. Keep an eye on your shoes - femminismo

More Art Journaling ... Somewhere In Here!

YES indeedy! Somewhere on this table there is art journaling going on. I am hard at work turning the book on Beethoven into a book on Me. (Christy had asked about the self-portrait in it that looked like Beethoven. "If it's a book about Beethoven, isn't it OK if it looks like him. Actually, you were correct in adding "unless it's supposed to look like you." It was supposed to be me, but I think it looks rather mannish. Oh, well, I'm working on self-portraits. It will all come about in due time, I suppose.) And the book is - again, I say - very heavy. I will weigh it tomorrow and record the poundage - before it's finished sometime in 2011. Then I'll weigh it again after!
And somewhere else on this table (look hard and you will see) is a packet addressed to Candace. Her scarf - her swag - is atop it and, Candace, I really am trying to keep it clean for you! I know you need it. What is the temperature there? Is it 70 degrees F? You poor thing.
Well, hopefully tomorrow it will be in the mail if all the ink is dry.
Today, in the mail for me, two books showed up: "Taking Flight," by Kelly Rae Roberts, and "Mixed Media Self-Portraits," by Cate Coulacos Prato. (Free shipping since I spent enough buckaroos.) I'm saving so much money here I might be able to buy myself more flowers.
I want to set aside some time to sit and really read these books and not just flip through them.
Also, my good friend, Barb, in Michigan, sent me some pictures of the bags she makes from recycled wool clothing. I am hoping to get one of these someday. I have no patience for material and sewing. She, however, is very talented at this! She sent me several pictures, but I love the colors on this one especially.
Well, guess what? It's time to go. Nice talking with you - femminismo

A Little Fun Today - and Inky Fingers!

SYLVIA and I went to a new art supply/art project store, Art on a Lark Studio, that officially opened yesterday in our town. They were offering guests the chance to make a free 4 inch x 4 inch book, with their papers, stamps, glitter, glue, etc. So we took them up on it.
We were stamping away on the 4x4 inch squares, using a veritable wall of stamps. Oh, the delight! We glued down pieces of paper and quotations and made one "page" of the book as an envelope that could hold a tag.
Then the books were pierced along the edges with a very amazing took that also crunched the coils together that bound the books. We made these little books in about 2 hours. We can add to them, I guess. The coils can be opened and we can insert more pages. Or we can start from scratch and make new ones and pack them full of pages.
The studio rents art-making time and you can use their paper, stamps, etc. And there are people to clean up after you! Is this heaven or what?
Some of the papers under my little book are ones that were for sale that I couldn't leave without. In winter, who couldn't use these cheerful flower stickers?
I hope your day was a good one and you did something artsy - femminismo
p.s. The quote in the book is from the cartoon, "Sylvia," by Nicole Hollander, 1981. It says "Can you imagine a world without men? No crime and lots of fat, happy women." I guess it's a popular saying for some reason. ; )

Strong Women - Brave Women.

ONE last thing today and then it's to bed for me.
This page from my altered book/journal shows my mother and her favorite sister. Both of them were destined for great things, although they would never have claimed such a distinction.
How can raising, caring for and feeding a family be a great thing? Many of us would affirm it as the Greatest Thing!
When I look at their young bodies and unlined faces and think of all they will do and accomplish in the years ahead of them it brings tears to my eyes and a smile of satisfaction. Satisfaction because I got to know them and live with them and claim them as my own.
I scanned this old photo of Margaret and Theresa - it's from the 1940s - and then printed it out on my color printer. While it was still dampish I laid it face down on a gessoed page and then rubbed the back. (Too hard, by the way. And I think I could have let it dry a bit longer. Well, we only learn by doing.) Then I lifted the paper off. It made a pretty good transfer, but is pretty wrinkled. Next time I'll let it dry longer.
I've been stamping the pages with acrylic paints on a wad of bubble wrap. What a neat stamp it makes. You can even smear the paints together with the plastic stuff! The other picture is of some of the flowers I bought for myself to chase away a gray day. (The Mister isn't one to send flowers, but he does say I Love You a lot.) Cheers! Hope things are well for you - femminismo

January The Eighth

Native American Prayer

OH, Great Spirit
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me, I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold
the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have
made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things
you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have
hidden in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my Spirit may come to you without shame.


(translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)
published in Native American Prayers - by the Episcopal Church.

Yippee Skippy! See What She's Done!

ALL hail, Christy, Web guru extraordinaire! I am so pleased that my banner is now stretched across the top of the blog. One simple request to Her Highness, and voila! Before I knew it, there it was before my eyes. If only she could be put to work on some of the more pressing issues of the world, who knows what might be accomplished. (I can tell she's blushing, so I will stop for now.) Well done, Christy.
At left is my desk today at work. Atop my 2009 appointment book is a blood orange slice and star fruit from JoAnn, my work colleague and art co-conspirator. She was slicing fruit, placing it on her window ledge and taking pictures. I can't wait to see what she's come up with. She takes great photos and has a knack for getting in close and capturing the best of a subject. Check out her blog to see for yourself.
Last night was the first class in the winter term for yoga. Oh, my, today I can tell by my tender muscles that I was far too lazy over the holidays - not doing a darn bit of stretching. Without the yoga I would turn into a creaky old lady. And we can't have that!
I had a magnificent dream/thought the other night when I couldn't sleep that turned into a story idea - and I actually remembered it when I woke up. I furiously scribbled it down on the back of an envelope and now it's sitting on the kitchen table looking up at me each time I pass.
There are so many stories bubbling around inside me that I hardly know where to start. Retirement from "real" work is the only answer, I fear, since keeping up with the house and this blog and my extracurricular activities seems to take any time that paid work doesn't. Trading health insurance for my precious time!! Argh! Anyone else feel this way?
Well, I told Christy she should post her work even if she didn't like it. She had been working on self-portraits. Now I find myself in the same predicament. But "walk the talk," so here it is. (I used Stabilo pencil to ourline and I forgot it smears horribly when wet. Good sometimes; bad just now.) My own face isn't nearly that gray.
And then there's one more art journal page to show you, and then it's to the sink. I think it's my turn to do dishes. Then a little knitting and then it's off to bed. I got this "window" from Judy Wise, on her blog. Check the link on the left. I found the lady via Blue Lantern. Ditto: check on the left. I made her pretty white gloves myself. I wonder if she knows what's going on atop her roof? - femminismo
p.s. I bought myself flowers today and I absolutely love them!

The Curse of Technology - and the Joy.

THE banner above is not the doing of Christy, the Web guru. It is my own attempt to bend the will of E-Blogger. However, not speaking HTML lingo too fluently, we will have to wait for the final brilliant episode of banner translation. Hope it comes soon and you'll put up with this a bit longer - femminismo

The Great Scarf Giveaway ... gets given.

TONIGHT the Mister reached inside a bowl full of names of those who have left comments in hopes of winning a hand-knitted scarf by Yours Truly.
The scarf was fun to knit and was a great way to begin the new year, with a finished project - the best kind of project, if you know what I mean. There are just too many of those half-finished ones laying around as it is already.
The Mister said, "So, you have to pay people to read your blog."
And, of course, I cannot say I don't now. But really, it is a fairly human desire to share the things we make. I can only wear so many scarves and it's so much fun to get something in the mail. Fun to send them also.
This drawing was truly on the up-and-up. He picked and opened the slip of paper ... and it was ... my pal in Athens, Ga., Miss Candace of EyeCandy fame! Congratulations. I have your address already, so I will send it along as soon as it is blocked and looking just right. (However, if I dilly-dally and don't get it to you promptly, please remind me of my promise.)
Today, in Oregon, here in the Willamette Valley, there was black ice on the road. (Quel horror!) However, we are told there will be temperatures in the 50s tomorrow. I, for one, cannot wait!
I have been working on a new, vibrant banner for this blog. My Web guru, Christy, has revealed the secrets. Now to make it happen. Be on the watch for something new - and, hopefully, eye-catching - femminismo

One More Post Today

THIS post is on "weaving dreams." Our SoulJournal group prompt was to write down our dreams on strips of paper and then weave them together. Mine will be glued down in my journal to make a pocket. Maybe I'll slip in evidence of some of my dreams coming true - femminismo

How Did I Miss Yesterday?

SATURDAY slipped through my grasp without a post! What must my legions of fans have thought? Sorry about that. I'll try not to do it again. But I was busy knitting - I've finished the scarf I'm giving away on January 5. Check posts below for more information or respond to this one with a comment if you'd like to have a chance to win it.
I've started a new altered book art journal. It is a huge, huge, huge book on Beethoven. Did I mention the book is BIG? I will have to glue many pages together because if I attach something to every page I will need power equipment to lift it when it's finished. This book may last me through spring. (This page is my attempt at a portrait. I am not skilled at this. It ended up looking like Beethoven!! Maybe the hair is a bit shorter than his was. But it's also a self-portrait of me. I added more curls and then Catherine Zeta Jones' mouth. She has nice teeth, doesn't she? Also included is the Christmas/New Year card I received from Candace, my pal in Athens, Ga. Thanks, pal!)
I've also been doing a lot of "window blogging," going through other people's blog lists or following people who've commented on others' blogs. That's always a great way to kill an afternoon or evening - or both! I found the most beautiful tree on someone's site, and copied it. - confession time - I think it will relate beautifully to Valentine's Day, which I am so looking forward to.
Today I will do something I am not looking forward to. I think I am going to crawl under our house. The Mister can not do this because of his knee surgery in November. It is dark and dirty under there. He has teased me that I can carry bread crumbs with me to tame the animals who live down under there. All of this is because of heating problems. We need to check the heating ducts and we seem to be a "do-it-yourself" sort of a couple. (Or one of us is, anyway.) Wish me luck - femminismo

Twelfth Night is Coming.

TWELFTH NIGHT is coming on January 5, with Epiphany (Little Christmas) following on January 6. I doubt the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem and Shakespeare's comical play of love's misadventures among the young had much to do with one another, but I'm thinking it might be fun to read the play again.

"If music be the food of love, play on,
Give me excess of it; that, surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken and so die. -
That strain again; - it had a dying fall;
O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet south,
That breathes upon a bank of violets,
Stealing and giving odour. - Enough; no more;
'Tis not so sweet now as it was before.
O spirit of love, how quick and fresh art thou!
That, notwithstanding thy capacity
Receiveth as the sea, nought enters there,
Of what validity and pitch soever,
But falls into abatement and low price
Even in a minute! so full of shapes is fancy,
That it alone is high-fantastical."

You can find this play at this link, if you like reading onscreen. And that reminds me of one of my favorite movies, "Shakespeare in Love." Which I would like to see again before too long. Too late tonight, but perhaps sometime tomorrow.
I am making good progress on the scarf I'm knitting for one lucky person who leaves a comment. (See the post below.) There were only four "commentors" last I looked, so the chances are good for one of them to win it. I'll draw a name on January 5, so leave a comment before then. OK? Good! - femminismo

Happy New Year ... and I've Got a Giveaway!

HERE is my New Year's Day project. While I'm sitting inside on this gray Oregon day watching - and hearing - the rain pour down outside, I have a lap full of yarn and needles clicking away.
Leave a comment and this scarf could be yours or you can give it to someone else dear to you. (A guy would look good in these colors, I think.) Warm necks in winter are the happiest. I got the pattern from this blog: Insaknittyandfood.
We saw the movie "Seven Pounds" with Will Smith and Rosario Dawson last night. There were four of us and four opinions, I guess. My sister and I were crying a little at the end, but I was mostly happy because Will took off his shirt more than once. And Rosario is the most gorgeous woman I have seen in a long while. Angelina, your days are numbered.
I wondered if I might be a good enough person to deserve help such as Will Smith was giving. (You can't tell others too much about this movie without giving a lot away.)
Now it's back to the scarf. If you leave a comment I'll put you in the drawing for the scarf. I'll draw a name on January 5. Hurry, hurry, hurry! - femminismo
p.s. photo of Rosario from timeout.com/newyork