Life is a Prayer

Lazy Pepper

2009-02-17T11:23:00.000-08:00

21" wide by 15" high

acrylic on textured canvas

"Swingin' in the Blue"

2009-01-25T10:47:00.000-08:00

16" by 20"

She Hears A Symphony

2009-01-25T05:38:00.000-08:00

21" by 15 1/2"

Acrylic on Canvas

Valentine Painting: I Heart You!

2009-01-17T11:27:00.000-08:00

Acrylic and collage on gallery frame canvas, 10" by 8."

"Lady Sings the Blues"

2009-01-09T11:33:00.000-08:00

New painting...

24" by 18"

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T06:27:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone from both of us.

"Dreams from my Father"

2008-12-29T13:13:00.001-08:00

I finally got around to reading Barack Obama's first book. Wow. He's a really good writer. On top of it, he's got a great story to tell!

Different Country, Same Old Story

2008-12-29T06:14:00.000-08:00

for girls...in the Washington Post today:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/28/AR2008122802005.html

Big Day

2008-12-29T06:13:00.000-08:00

Today is both Jim's and Carey's birthday!

The National Gallery of Art

2008-12-25T06:04:00.001-08:00

So...I took a couple of hours yesterday and went down to the National Gallery of Art to see the exhibit on Pompeii:

http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/pompeiiinfo.shtm

New Painting "All That Jazz...Riffs"

2008-12-20T08:12:00.000-08:00

Which way do you like it?

My Birthday Cake

2008-12-14T09:05:00.000-08:00

Jim surprised me with this birthday cake at the end of the fundraiser holiday party at Bob and Judy Jackson's, and everyone who was still there sang Happy Birthday to me and Judy, who it turns out had a birthday on the 11th.

New Painting

2008-11-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

"It's Magic! Swing Red"

24" by 36"

Acrylic and Collage on Gallery Frame Canvas

Blatant Women-Bashing Makes a Gut-Wrenching Comeback

2008-11-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

Mom sent me this link the other day:

The Bitch and the Airhead: Blatant Women-Bashing Makes a Gut-Wrenching Comeback

http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/107855

Trevor and Florin, Summer 2008

2008-09-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Stephanie and Chuck's kids...ages 1 and 3

Funny 2008 Campaign Button

2008-09-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

We're Baaack!

2008-08-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

To DC late last night from a week at the cabin...had a great time...only took a few photos...

Captions in reverse order of photos....

Jim looking at the Hudson from the banks of the Samuel F.B. Morse estate in Hyde Park after we took a tour of the place.

Geese on the banks of the RoeJan near Silver Nails where Jim put in to run the river.

Jim in some big piece of farm equipment at the Dutchess County Fair.

Book Recommendation

2008-08-03T08:53:00.000-07:00

Martha Beck's "Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found my Faith."

The Booksigning on July 30

2008-08-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Eleanor Smeal and Hillary Clinton at the reception at the Sewall Belmont House and Museum for the launch of Maloney's book "Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated."

The Last Day, July 10

2008-07-17T05:16:00.000-07:00

Darn, we hate to go!! :(

Last sit down on the porch before we head to the train station.

Gun molls at the "brothel"...??

Would you believe Johnny Depp slept here?

Carey brought her knitting. Moo wanted to learn how...hmmmm....:)

The Columbus Carriage House B and B, where we stayed the night before I caught the train back to Chicago and DC.

Tommy's Garden

2008-07-17T05:11:00.000-07:00

Discussing garden matters with Uncle Al and Aunt Peggy.

Tommy and Uncle Al checking things out

Trip to the Pond

2008-07-15T15:08:00.001-07:00

Mom takes the four wheeler.

Aunt Peggy and Uncle Al hoof it.

Uncle Grandpa

2008-07-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

Tommy

Six Beautiful Feet

2008-07-15T15:04:00.000-07:00

Sarah, Chrissy and Kaye

2008-07-15T15:02:00.000-07:00

Sarah and Taylor

2008-07-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

Katy's Chickens

2008-07-15T14:59:00.000-07:00

They are going to name one of them after Jim....

Terry

2008-07-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

Uncle Carl at Katy's

2008-07-15T14:57:00.000-07:00

Uncle Butch and Uncle Al

2008-07-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

Auntie Glenda at Katy's

2008-07-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

Auntie Suzy (the Nguince) and Carey

2008-07-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Auntie Peggy at Katy's

2008-07-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

Grandma Paki and Sarah

2008-07-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

More Chatting on the Back Deck at Katy's

2008-07-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

Charter Members, Club Baby....

2008-07-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

Dylan and Kayla at Kaye's

2008-07-15T14:43:00.001-07:00

Carey, Charles and Terry Chat on the Back Deck

2008-07-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

Charley Lauren and Will at Katy's

2008-07-15T14:38:00.002-07:00

Charles, at Katy's

2008-07-15T14:38:00.001-07:00

Katy on the Phone....Again...and...!

2008-07-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Sandy at Katy's

2008-07-15T14:30:00.001-07:00

Becky at Katy's

2008-07-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

Taylor, At Home

2008-07-15T14:29:00.001-07:00

Carey and Sarah

2008-07-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

at Ella's in Madison.

Carey, Sarah, Katy and Barb

2008-07-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

at the Gardens at Madison.

The Gardens at Madison

2008-07-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

The Thai Pavillion at the Madison Gardens

Katy and Sarah do "Om, Peep, Om" at the Thai Pavillion at the Gardens in Madison.

The Trip to Wisconsin, Madison, Meeting "the Girls"

2008-07-12T05:51:00.001-07:00

Katy and Me at the Italian restaurant the evening we arrived.

Sarah slept with Auntie Kaye

Carey was exhausted after the trip from Havre by train.

Okay...so I Forgot the Camera

2008-05-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

but here's what we had to eat:

Course One (Antipasti misti.)

Five lovely little Italian appetizers, served one or two at a time in delicate little bowls...and with a good amount of time to savor

Course Two (Primi):

Jim chose the in house handmade spring greens ravioli with anchovy butter.
I had the in house handmade tagliatelle with prosciutto and English peas

and of course we shared both...

Course Three (Secondi):

Jim chose the Ahi tuna with asparagus.
I had the Duck breast with ramps and morel mushrooms.

and of course we shared both....

Course Four (Formaggi):

Talleggio, Pipe Dream Farm and Pecorino Curdo with eggplant-walnut jam

Course Five (Dolci):

Jim chose the chocolate cake with caramel ice cream.
I chose the rhubarb tart with whipped cream...

and of course we shared both...

We had complimentary glasses of champagne to start...our neighbor is the owner/chef...

and a half bottle of a lovely red wine with dinner...

and two kinds of home made candy and dainty almond cookies at the very end, with the bill...

it was expensive but so good we didn't really mind paying.

Our Silver Wedding Anniversary

2008-05-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe! The Goofy One and I have been married for 25 years today...

We're going to have dinner at Obelisk, the slightly upscale Italian restaurant owned and operated by our neighbor Chef Peter Pastan.....it's one of those restaurants where he creates the menu anew every day! So, photos and report to follow tomorrow, I guess.

Carey, Sarah, Charley Lauren and Me

2008-05-19T04:41:00.000-07:00

outside Lia's Restaurant in Bethesda, where we went for dinner last night. "Uncle Jimmy" took the photo of just "the girls." John and Sarah leave today by plane back to Montana; Carey and I head to NYC for a couple days by train. Charley Lauren had just joined us for the evening and headed back to White Marsh about 8:30 or so.

Misogyny I Won't Miss

2008-05-15T05:29:00.000-07:00

Article in Today's W. Post by Marie Cocco

The Portrayal of Hillary

May 13, 2008

WASHINGTON -- As the Democratic nomination contest slouches toward a close, it's time to take stock of what I will not miss.

I will not miss seeing advertisements for T-shirts that bear the slogan "Bros before Hos." The shirts depict Barack Obama (the Bro) and Hillary Clinton (the Ho) and they are widely sold on the Internet.

I will not miss walking past airport concessions selling the Hillary Nutcracker, a device in which a pantsuit-clad Clinton doll opens her legs to reveal stainless steel thighs that, well, bust nuts. I won't miss television and newspaper stories that make light of the novelty item.

I won't miss episodes like the one in which the liberal radio personality Randi Rhodes called Clinton a "big f---in' whore" and said the same about former vice presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro. Rhodes was appearing at an event sponsored by a San Francisco radio station, before an audience of appreciative Obama supporters -- one of whom had promoted the evening on the presumptive Democratic nominee's official campaign Web site.

I won't miss Citizens United Not Timid (no acronym, please), an anti-Clinton group founded by Republican guru Roger Stone.

Political discourse will at last be free of jokes like this one, told last week by magician Penn Jillette on MSNBC: "Obama did great in February, and that's because that was Black History Month. And now Hillary's doing much better 'cause it's White B---- Month, right?" Co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski rebuked Jillette.

I won't miss political commentators (including National Public Radio political editor Ken Rudin and Andrew Sullivan, the columnist and blogger) who compare Clinton to the Glenn Close character in the movie "Fatal Attraction." In the iconic 1987 film, Close played an independent New York woman who has an affair with a married man played by Michael Douglas. When the liaison ends, the jilted woman becomes a deranged, knife-wielding stalker who terrorizes the man's blissful suburban family. Message: Psychopathic home-wrecker, be gone.

The airwaves will at last be free of comments that liken Clinton to a "she-devil" (Chris Matthews on MSNBC, who helpfully supplied an on-screen mockup of Clinton sprouting horns). Or those who offer that she's "looking like everyone's first wife standing outside a probate court" (Mike Barnicle, also on MSNBC).

But perhaps it is not wives who are so very problematic. Maybe it's mothers. Because, after all, Clinton is more like "a scolding mother, talking down to a child" (Jack Cafferty on CNN).
When all other images fail, there is one other I will not miss. That is, the down-to-the-basics, simplest one: "White women are a problem, that's -- you know, we all live with that" (William Kristol of Fox News).

I won't miss reading another treatise by a man or woman, of the left or right, who says that sexism has had not even a teeny-weeny bit of influence on the course of the Democratic campaign. To hint that sexism might possibly have had a minimal role is to play that risible "gender card."

Most of all, I will not miss the silence.

I will not miss the deafening, depressing silence of Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean or other leading Democrats, who to my knowledge (with the exception of Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland) haven't uttered a word of public outrage at the unrelenting, sex-based hate that has been hurled at a former first lady and two-term senator from New York. Among those holding their tongues are hundreds of Democrats for whom Clinton has campaigned and raised millions of dollars. Don Imus endured more public ire from the political class when he insulted the Rutgers University women's basketball team.

Would the silence prevail if Obama's likeness were put on a tap-dancing doll that was sold at airports? Would the media figures who dole out precious face time to these politicians be such pals if they'd compared Obama with a character in a blaxploitation film? And how would crude references to Obama's sex organs play?

There are many reasons why Clinton is losing the nomination contest, some having to do with her strategic mistakes, others with the groundswell for "change." But for all Clinton's political blemishes, the darker stain that has been exposed is the hatred of women that is accepted as a part of our culture.

Marie Cocco's e-mail address is mariecocco@washpost.com

More About Hannah...Click on the Video!

2008-04-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.wrbl.com/index.php/news/article/columbus-skaters-and-hockey-players-put-on-ice/10712/)

At Long Last, Ella and Owen

2008-04-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

Started this portrait late last summer and, if the ceiling hadn't fallen down and etc....would have had it finished before now...but as it is, just finished a day or so ago.

Some Girls Gotta Skate

2008-04-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

This story about one of our nephew's adopted daughters appeared in the base newspaper. She's the only girl on the team! There's a fabulous photo of her on the link.

Hannah Ortman, an 8-year-old player in the Columbus Youth Hockey Association, was honored March 21 at a Columbus Cottonmouths' game as the Player of the Game for her performance in a hockey tournament in Pelham, Ala. Hannah is the only female on the Mites Select Team, which won third place in the Pelham tournament. "Playing hockey gives me a lot of confidence," said Hannah, whose father Sgt. Andrew Ortman, is on his third tour in Iraq. "I hope one day more girls will want to play."

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://ftbenningbayonet.com/articles/2008/03/28/sports_and_fitness/youth_sports/youth02.txt

Help! Stop the War!

2008-04-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

Long Time No Blog

2008-04-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

Trying to get used to and learn the new computer, as well as respond to all the events that occurred as a result of the article of GGRF in the W. Post on March 14. Most of the time I just feel a little discombobulated.

We took down the Strathmore exhibit on the 31st, last Monday. We did pretty well. Sold several pieces of art, includiing "One Paws2, Ella's Favorite Shoe," and also made some money on cards, pins, and donations. Waiting for the final accounting and a check.

Just got back from the Warehouse Gallery where I picked up the two pieces I had in the "Peace Now" exhibit, which closed today, and enjoyed a little "light supper" Mollie made for the artists and friends...a sort of post exhibit reception. Yesterday spent most of the day at the annual DC Women's Caucus for the Arts Networking Day, held this year at the Arts Club of DC on I Street. Enjoyed both of these events.

Guardian Angel for Murch Auction

2008-04-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

So...this little acrylic and collage guardian angel (Guardian Angel, Blue) is for the Murch Auction. Decided not to offer 1/2 off a portrait or mural this year as they never seem to get it right!

The Treasure Postcard

2008-03-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

This is the postcard I made for the Treasure Postcard exhibit. It hasn't sold yet if you want to make a bid. The money goes to support women's shelters, one in DC and one in Turkey. It's called "Prayer for the Girls, Red No. 1." It's acrylic. My friend Joyce says it looks very spiritual.

Treasure Postcards 08

2008-03-25T07:32:00.000-07:00

Last Friday night my friend Joyce Ellen Weinstein and I attended the opening reception of Treasure Postcards’08: Visual Voices of Women Artists Worldwide. It was a fundraiser for two women's shelters, one in DC and one in Turkey. According to the organizers, over 70 people attended the exhibit and we raised a little over $1100. Photos from the event are here:

http://www.art4development.net/tpp.html

My postcard is the red one in the middle of the row in the first photo, at the bottom of the circle. Joyce and I are in the middle of the third photo. I seem to be in the middle of a lot of things these days.

Stephanie Kissing Trevor

2008-03-24T12:46:00.000-07:00

Stephanie, Chuck, Florin and Trevor came to visit, arriving last Saturday night, the 15th. We took Chuck to the airport on Sunday evening and Stephanie and the kids stayed for a couple more days. Her in-laws arrived by plane from Florida to help Steph drive down to Atlanta on Wednesday a.m. to spend Easter with her sister-in-law and extended family. Chuck flew down there for the week-end. I took a few pictures...we were too busy to take many!...this may be my favorite.

Finally!

2008-03-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

Jim brought my new computer home on Thursday night. What a relief to be able to work from home again.

Still No Computer

2008-03-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

A whole lot going on but still using the library's and other people's computers so hardly ever have enough time and cannot upload any images.

We opened a new GGRF exhibit at the Strathmore Mansion on Wednesday and had the opening reception on Thursday evening. It was fabulous. The space is amazing. You can click on all the info and see some photos on the GGRF site. Charley Lauren drove down to come with us and had a wonderful time, said it was "very exciting." We enjoyed her company and quizzed her up one side and down the other about her new boyfriend.

I "hired" a summer intern for GGRF yesterday, a young women's studies major, rising senior at Gettysburg College. She had come down early for her spring break to be at the opening reception at the Strathmore on Thursday night. She's very bright, very capable, very talented and very enthusiastic. Hooray! She will be working for credit and our enormous gratitude and all the personal satisfaction she can get. :)

I have a painting in the Herstory exhibit at the Peace and a Cup of Joe Coffeehouse in Baltimore, opening reception on Sunday afternoon. Jim and I will go and then have dinner in Baltimore's Little Italy.

If I Had My Computer

2008-02-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

I could upload the photos I have of the paintings I have - two Prayers for Peace - in the Warehouse Gallery "PeaceNow" exhibit. But for more info, go to www.warehousetheater.com and click on PEACE NOW.

Still No Computer!!

2008-02-24T12:57:00.000-08:00

This is getting a little old, not having a computer at home. I hope the "computer guy" here at Jim's office can make it in to work tomorrow - he was out all last week with a back problem - and that he can then also fix the old thing!!...the computer, I mean.

Lucketts Bluegrass

2008-02-17T10:47:00.000-08:00

Jim and I ventured outside the beltway to Lucketts, Virginia, last night with our friends and neighbors, Kathleen Madigan and Tom Kelly, for dinner at the Blue Ridge Grill in Leesburg and a blue grass concert at the Lucketts Community Center. A great time was had by all!

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

I'm having to post this from our local library. We've been having computer trouble for days, and it looks like we won't be able to get things squared away for several more...so..keeping a good thought and, in the meantime, Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.

Happy Birthday to Sister Little

2008-01-26T12:43:00.000-08:00

My "baby" sister turns 45 today. This is one of my favorite photos of Sisters Little (Kaye) and Middle (Carey) (to my Big)......taken at the zoo in the summer of 2005. What a cupla babes, hey?

Blogging Grok

2008-01-24T06:35:00.000-08:00

It's interesting how new words come into a language. I learned a new one yesterday when my daughter sent me this info about "grok"...which I'm sure she either googled or goodsearched, so I'm blogging it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grok

I really like the word; it belongs here. A few years ago no one would have understood the sentence, "I'm blogging 'grok'." It would have been gobbledy-gook....hmmm....

Melting, January 18

2008-01-19T10:55:00.000-08:00

Snowing, January 17

2008-01-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

Kitchen Caravan Dot Com

2008-01-18T09:26:00.000-08:00

So, I trudged out in the snow and rain and cold to wait for the bus to take me to the subway to get to Etete Restaurant by 2 p.m. yesterday to meet the lovely young women of the online cooking show Kitchen Caravan. Emma and Sophie arrived shortly after I and Ben Tesfaye, Yared's younger brother and the youngest of the three who had invested in the restaurant for their mother, the owner and chef. Emma and Sophie were doing an episode on Ethiopian cooking and wanted to interview me in connection with the work of Girls Gotta Run. They thought it would be good to do it in an actual Ethiopian restaurant, so I recommended Etete, both because their food is fabulous and because they had donated the food for our first event in September 2006.

We had a ball! I hadn't met Ben before, but he is just as charming as his older brother, and Emma and Sophie couldn't be more personable. We chatted, they filmed (first me and then Ben and his mother), and then Etete (means "Mother" in Amharic) herself cooked us a great meal to sample, including meat done with the special spice mixture she invented herself. They also insisted we sample their home made honey wine. Wow. Yum, yum, yummy! I headed back through the cold and slush about 4. What a lovely way to spend the afternoon. What a great job they have made for themselves!

Look for the episode in two or three weeks at www.kitchencaravan.com.

The Art of Architecture Final Conference

2008-01-13T05:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the final conference at A.U., in the new Katzen Center, of the joint A.U./DCPS project to upgrade DCPS art teachers' architectural knowledge and skills and create a curriculum guide to assist other art teachers in teaching about architecture. I served as an initial formative program evaluator, so it was lovely to see the participating teachers again and see the end results.

http://www.american.edu/cas/seth/tip/

Great article about Me and "The Girls"

2008-01-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

in the January 9, 2008 issue of the Northwest Current. Click on here:

http://www.currentnewspapers.com/archiveweek.php?n=1&year=2008

and then click on the first "January 9, 2008" edition to read the first 20 pages... scroll to pg. 13 where it starts. You'll have to open the next "January 9, 2008" to read the ending.

Great Article about Benazir Bhutto

2008-01-12T12:29:00.000-08:00

by Emily Wax in today's W. Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/11/AR2008011103411_pf.html

A D.C. Arts Outing

2008-01-06T07:02:00.000-08:00

After we took the exhibit down and several artists came by to pick up their work, Jim and I took a little break...went down to see the Asher B. Durand exhibit, before it closes today, (and other things) at the Museum of American Art. Had lunch in the newly opened Kogod Courtyard there.

http://americanart.si.edu/index2.cfm

Big Goings On....

2008-01-05T04:13:00.000-08:00

We'll be taking down the Coffeehouse exhibit this a.m., shortly...have to be there at 8 a.m. Good thing I am an early riser, though I'm not so sure anyone else is that happy about it!

If not, though, I assume the article about GGRF coming out in next week's Northwest Current will help. I was interviewed yesterday by a reporter and the day before their photographer came by to take some photos. And I sent them several photos of this exhibit and reception. So, we will see what they do.

The next issue is out Wednesday, the 9th.

Another Birthday!

2008-01-02T04:19:00.000-08:00

December and January are chock full of them....today's is our friend Paula's...we took this photo when she came over for dinner in December while in DC on her Winter break from teaching in Daytona Beach....she was feeling pretty flamboyant! So...Happy Birthday, Paula!

Happy New Year from Us!

2007-12-31T07:20:00.000-08:00

We wish you everything good and wonderful in the world.

Happy Birthday to Sandy, Too

2007-12-29T09:19:00.001-08:00

My friend Sandy Gaby, whom I haven't seen in perhaps a dozen years, also has a birthday today. I don't have a digital photo of her. Since it had been so many years since we had actually even talked, I decided to call her this morning and catch up. She nows lives (back) in Connecticut and is happy managing property for Prudential. I was glad I called. Not only was it fun to catch up, but she said it was the best present she had gotten so far. That makes a person feel good! :)

Happy Birthday to the Goofy One

2007-12-29T06:35:00.000-08:00

Here is Jim setting off for a short run down the Roe Jan, one of his most favorite things to do, on Thanksgiving, which we spent at the cabin. The boy, the boy! He's my boy! And now he's my 57-year-old boy!

Happy Birthday to Carey!

2007-12-29T06:29:00.000-08:00

Here is Carey relaxing and reading the morning W. Post on my front porch in early October, after we got back from NYC where she had her doctor appointments, we took down the GGRF exhibit at the Phoenix Gallery, and we had a few actual fun adventures. Note the red toenails. I think they say it all.

December 29 Coming Up

2007-12-28T10:15:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, after I sent off the check to The Tesfa Foundation to buy shoes for the girls on Team Tesfa (in time for the holidays and their first race), I thought how symbolic it was to be able to do so at this point in time....because I had read the article that inspired me/Girls Gotta Run shortly after Christmas in 2005. It seemed a poetically nice circle of events, starting and coming to first fruition during the holiday season. Curious as to the exact date, I checked back and discovered to my surprise that it was December 29....which hadn't struck me at the time, but when I saw it again, in retrospect, I was a little like....Wow! That date again! So significant...!
It's always seemed to be, for me, the start of something really good.

December 29 is the day my mother delivered my first baby sister, Carey, the longed for baby and sister.... the one, after what seemed like a never ending series of foster babies we had for my whole young life, babies we loved and had to let go, we could keep. And...very nice mommy gave me two more babies, a brother, Charles, and another sister, Katy.

December 29 is the day my mother-in-law delivered my husband. I always felt that fact rather confirmed that he was meant for me. We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in May.

So to have discovered that December 29 was the day the W. Post printed the article that was the impetus for Girls Gotta Run...well...like...Wow. That's just way too cool.

Happy Winter Solstice

2007-12-21T05:36:00.000-08:00

Tonight brings the Winter Solstice to North America.

Solstice means "standing-still-sun" and occurs when, because of the earth's tilt, your hemisphere is leaning farthest away from the sun, and therefore the daylight is the shortest and the sun has its lowest arc in the sky. It will occur in North America on December 21 or 22, depending on your time zone.

EST: Dec 22, 1:08 am

CST: Dec 22, 12:08 am

MST: Dec 21, 11:08 pm

PST: Dec 21, 10:08 pm

Many cultures the world over perform solstice ceremonies. At their root: an ancient fear that the failing light would never return unless humans intervened with anxious vigil or antic celebration.

Christmas was transplanted onto winter solstice some 1,600 years ago, centuries before the English language emerged from its Germanic roots. This may be why the annual celebration of the "rebirth" of the sun came to mean "the birth of the Son."

A solstice candle, lit at sundown and allowed to burn in a safe place through the night, is a simple tradition deeply connected to ancient ways.

I took all of this info from this site if you are interested in learning more: http://www.candlegrove.com/solstice.html.

May your winter solstice be filled with good cheer, reflection, hope for the rebirth of the light, peace, and lots and lots and lots of love.

More Photos from the Exhibit

2007-12-14T04:36:00.000-08:00

http://members.purespeed.com/~peo/girlsgottarun/moderntimes/

Happy Birthday To Me, Happy Birthday To Me

2007-12-13T09:54:00.000-08:00

So, today's the big day! Check out the painting in the last entry if you don't believe it's a good thing. I made the painting specifically for Kay, but it applies to us all. And the riches come pouring in...where to start...

The Goofy One, who said that I can celebrate my birthday every day for the next year, giving me an excuse to have everything my way at all times, whatever I want when I want it, whatever I don't want, when I don't want it... started off this a.m. by singing the birthday song to me, so far, three times...once when he woke up, again before he left for work, and again when he called just to sing it, at 11:00 or so.

A few days ago a very beautiful pair of leather gloves arrived from one of my best friends from high school; a couple days ago, a gorgeous dressy but warm holiday blouse from Mom, yesterday a whole winter outfit, including sweater, scarf, hat, gloves, and vest from Sister Little; last night a long phone call from Sister Middle and Sarah. Yesterday and today, two beautiful email cards from my daughter and another from a former student. Over the past few days, lovely emails have come from other friends, and just a few minutes ago this lovely email letter from "Little" Brother:

"Happiest of birthdays to you to you ;)

i read your poem and saw your picture in the echo. it was very nice. I reflect on my limited knowledge of your life and what i think drives you and i hope that you feel all the good you have brought to people and the world in general.

You are a very intense person in your desire to change the unjust dogma of the world and I have always worried it would be the death of you. And on the other hand you have managed to crack the crust of unfairness on many issues due to your intensity.

Anyway, EYE am glad to see you mellowing ;). I am grateful you have found art to relax you and yet still use it to affect major change in the unfairness of the world.

I am sure our father would be immensely proud of you. I know I am.

happiest of birthdays sister big. I love you.

lil bro"

Hmmm....so far, I'm right. 60 IS Glorious!

60 Is Glorious, No Matter How You Look at It

2007-12-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

Ann Darr, 87; Aviator During WWII, Poet

2007-12-11T05:19:00.000-08:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/10/AR2007121001832.html?nav=rss_metro/obituaries

"60 is Glorious"

2007-12-10T17:07:00.001-08:00

The BookWoman Painting

2007-12-10T04:44:00.000-08:00

Received this message from Yvette Murray, coordinator of the silent auction at Book Woman, in response to a question someone had asked me about possibly buying it:

"Hello Pat,

Love the colors in your artwork! It has already brought BookWoman good fortune. A few minutes after the piece was placed on display, a woman came into the bookstore with a substantial donation!!!

For people who live elsewhere and want to bid on your work, Susan Post, the owner of BookWoman, has agreed to accept bids by telephone (512-472-2785). Callers should ask the sales clerk to check the bid sheet for the last entry. We'll be accepting bids at BookWoman through Saturday, December 14th. The silent auction will close the following day at an event. Thank you for your generosity! Best wishes in future endeavors!

Yvette"

So, if by any chance you are interested in owning that painting, you know what to do!

Happy Birthday to My Daughter!!

2007-12-09T05:16:00.001-08:00

The immaculate conception has nothing on me....My daughter and I are both turning 60 this month, only she is doing it today and I'm not doing it until Thursday..how about them apples?!!?

Several years ago, on a trip to Crete, I adopted Kay Elaine Keys. She has been a wonderful daughter. To see a picture of her and a lot of pictures by her, click here:

http://kaykeys.net/

Extraordinary (E)Mail Week

2007-12-08T05:01:00.000-08:00

This week I received an email from a dear college friend I haven't seen or heard from in over 30 years. He said he just wanted to "drop a line, say hello, and reminisce a bit." I told my Mom about it and she remembered him very well as the "sweet young man" he was...he remembered that we used to call Katy "Binky." !...and apparently had as good an impression of my parents and family as Mom did of him.

I also received an email from a former MVC student, one who graduated in 1996. She had gone into teaching herself and perhaps because of that had been bothered all these years by a matter of conscience during a class she had taken with me, so wanted to apologize! But she also wanted to say how much she valued the enormous amount of time and attention both I and other MVC professors of hers gave to our students on an individual basis and that she tried to do the same with hers...and that she also still told everyone about my spinach lasagne...the best she's ever tasted to this day.

I also received an email from Stacey, my "little" writing protege, for whom I provided initial support and direction several years ago when she first sent me her writing and asked me what I thought of it, did it show any talent, any promise? What should she do? The answer was yes, it definitely did. So, from an initial toe dabbling into a couple of non-credit creative writing courses to build her confidence, she applied for and got admitted to a creative writing Master's program. Over the course of the past few years I have been reading her writing...and she mine.....and now the news is that she has finished the first draft of that book she's been working on, she will be taking her last class for the Master's degree in the spring, and that she taught a composition class at the community college where she works this fall and feels confident that teaching is the direction in which she wants to go. I'm very proud of her! !!

All of these emails amazed me...and continue to amaze me. Life. Sometimes it makes me want to cry for joy.

Report and Some Photos

2007-12-05T13:19:00.000-08:00

from last night's opening reception for the Girls Gotta Run Holiday Art Exhibit:

http://authenticart.blogspot.com/2007/12/art-for-another-good-cause.html

New Painting

2007-12-05T13:13:00.001-08:00

for The Fistula Foundation (http://www.fistulafoundation.org/) fundraiser. It's called "Prayer for the Girls' World."

New Painting

2007-12-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

for Bookwoman (http://www.ebookwoman.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp) fundraiser. It's called "Save Bookwoman!"

First Painting in a LOOOOONNNNGGGG Time !

2007-11-14T17:17:00.000-08:00

Charles reinforced the ceiling in the bathroom with plaster washers and repaired some of the bigger cracks last week and then Saturday Jim painted. For some reason I didn't want to put the old art back up, so was inspired and had time to do my first painting in a very long time. It's called "I Am Curious, Red."

Charles and Charley Lauren

2007-11-07T05:36:00.000-08:00

My brother has been here since Friday evening. He and Jim and I have been working on the endless list of house repair and maintenance projects, some of which are left over from the earthquake and some that we just haven't gotten to before. Charley Lauren, who now drives!!! , came down on Friday to join us for dinner and then again last night to spend the night. We had chili here and then wandered over to Strosnider's to pick up some paint and then to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert and then to the bookstore to graze. These pics were taken at the end of the night when we sent them to bed. Charles is pooped, and C.L. put the futon down like in the old days when she and Dylan would sleep on it. But she turned it around and set it up and then sat in it in such a way that it looked like she was in her own little playpen. It was very funny.

Maggie and Deborah

2007-10-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

These are my friends Maggie and Deborah. Maggie's the poodle. Deborah is a former colleague from Mount Vernon College, who now teaches at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. I stayed with them (and Deborah's husband Steve and son Luke) when I went up to speak at the College about GGRF. Maggie enjoyed taking us for walks.

Deborah and I also enjoyed ourselves at the talk and then hanging out at the Yoganine Studio, Store and Cafe for a couple of hours with Deborah's friend and RSCNJ colleague Laurie Greene, who owns Yoganine and is displaying GGRF art for us for a few weeks. It was all quite lovely.

On top of that we made some new connections, friends and money for GGRF.

On top of THAT, today is Deborah's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Deb!

Construction Update, Living Room

2007-10-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

Sofa, rocking chair, Jim's chair and carpet all cleaned; coffeetable fixed and cleaned, bookcase fixed and cleaned; books, photos, small works of art, mementos, etc., returned to bookcase; several books, however, donated to the library...cleaned out the "stuff" as long as I was at it. No paintings rehung yet, but that's about all there is left to do. Whoo hoo!!

Construction Update, Diningroom

2007-10-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

Furniture and several photos, etc., back in place; back door (finally!) varnished, two paintings rehung. One chair still needs fixing and the rest of the paintings need to be rehung.