Monday, August 31, 2020

Don't Touch That

 

Himself cleaning up the kitchen. Reaches for the items on top of the stove. A couple of used tea bags and some brown paper bags.

Me: (coming up behind Himself) Ya can't touch this!

Himself: I'm just collecting the trash.

Me: That's not trash!

Himself: Not trash? What is it?

Me: Art supplies.  


U Can't Touch This -  M.C. Hammer


Sunday, August 30, 2020

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 

Coconut eyes the morning glories that tipped over.



Two busy ladybugs



Nearly an inch of rain from weekend thunderstorms that blew through the area. Most of the severe storms went East of my area. Nan was without electricity for two days.




Two of the three mini-sunflowers bloomed.



Jiminy Cricket on the slider screen


Himself can't remember what he planted. Black peppers? The wrong shape for eggplant



Tropical downpours from the remnants of Hurricane Laura brought much needed rain to drought stricken New England.



A very, big bunny eating the weeds in the Zensical garden. Eat up, Big Bunny. Eat faster.

How does your garden grow?

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

 This idea came from a Facebook meme:

Over 10 days, post your 10 all time favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.

Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order:me favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.

Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order:


The Hunt for Red October (1990) Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin

If you haven't seen this movie, it's available for rent on YouTube.

Friday, August 28, 2020

The Friday Five Good Things


Five good things that happened this week.

1. My friend, Al, posted a picture of her radio days for a TBT. She had told me at broadcast school she had to say words and phrases to rid her of her Boston accent. I wrote:  Ahthah's Hahdwheah Stohr in Ahlington (Arthur's Hardware Store in Arlington) on her FB post. She commented:   FB asked me if I wanted your comment translated... from German. FB can't understand a Boston accent. 😺

2. Himself's Brother, Brother's Wife, Brother's Daughter, and her Boyfriend came to help move and assemble Himself's new massage chair. Kind of them to help the Weebles.

3. The Young One and I practiced making the books for the November workshop. So fun to work with her.

4. Since we're semi-retired and not doing as much driving, we down-sized to one car. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in Midnight Black. I named the car Moose.

5. A cold, rainy, afternoon and a nap called my name.

How was your week? 

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Anniversary Card

 

Using the Scan n Cut machine, I made an anniversary card for The Brother and his Wife. This was a pattern found on the Canvas Workspace. Though I made a couple of changes to the card.



I didn't like the font that was chosen for the "congratulations" sentiment. The machine comes with some predesigned words and phrases under the Logo tab. I chose Celebrate and was easily able to resize the sentiment to fit the card. I also added a few pearl beads and jewels for champagne bubbles along with a tiny heart sticker.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

T Stands for More Happy Mail

 I have informed mail delivery from the USPS. Each morning, an email arrives with a preview of the day's snail mail. So when I saw the envelope from Elizabeth, I thought she was just sending me a thank you note for the art supply box from the raffle I held. Only it wasn't just  a thank you note.


It was WOW! Elizabeth made me a beautiful quiltlet. With an image that looks like Ink as a kitten and it matches my Ink kitten tea mug. She also included a sheet of hand-made paper.

I can barely sew on buttons even though Ma was a seamstress. I love that the kitty is facing the camera. Ink hated to have his picture taken and would wait until the shutter was pressed and he'd turn his head. 😺

Thank you so much, Elizabeth, it's absolutely purrfect, and


now hangs in pride of place where I can see it every day from my desk. A reminder of a dear friend. I'm so glad I found your blog. Tuesday is my favorite day, all because of you.

 Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Monday, August 24, 2020

Happy Mail

 MB, a classmate from Enders Island had told me she was experimenting with paper, paints, and inks. I asked her to show me what she was working on. I thought she would upload them to Facebook, but she sent them to me via mail.

She said, "A few early iterations, trying out iridescent watercolors on miscellaneous bits of paper, working out color combinations for use in Christmas cards and gift tags. The paints are Fine Tec from John Neal and Gansai Tambi from Blick."


"Fear Not" one of MB's favorite quotations. The first words of Angel Gabriel to Mary at the Annunciation and the choir of angels to the shepherds at Bethlehem"

The quote attributed to Augustine of Hippo...to practice using white paint on black paper. A handout for an icon workshop (MB is an iconographer) 


"There is Joy"...is a pastiche...an interpretation of an Armenian design.

"O Signore"...St. Francis' quotation in the original "Lord make me an instrument of thy peace"

An early iteration of an Armenian Bible/Gospel design.

It's too bad I wasn't able to capture the glow and shine from MB's work.

Thanks for the beautiful mail, MB


Sunday, August 23, 2020

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 

Three bunnies having supper.




Morning glories in distress from the heat and the drought. Even thought they are watered daily.


The morning glories in Ink's garden seem to tolerate the weather better


Mini sunflower close to opening



The plant on the left is a weed taller than I am.


Weeds


Amazing that they can grow through the sand, landscaping fabric, and stone


Giant crab grass


While the other potted morning glories are having a tough time, this pot is thriving


A cart full of weeds, 1/6 of the Zensical garden weeded. I lost the shade so done for the day.

How does your garden grow?


Saturday, August 22, 2020

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

 This idea came from a Facebook meme:

Over 10 days, post your 10 all time favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.

Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order:me favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.

Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order:



The Frogmen (1951) Richard 😻 Widmark, Dana Andrews

Friday, August 21, 2020

The Friday Five Good Things

 
Anniversary Card from Himself
"Another year of sharing life's
ups and downs together."

Five good things that happened this week.

 1. Waiting at the light to make the left turn to go to the dentist, the driver across from me waved me ahead as the light turned green. I gave a salute to the driver as Massachusetts drivers aren't always patient or polite.

2. Lost a crown (tooth) but the dentist was able to cement it back into place.

3. We had a fun and quiet anniversary. Himself cooked an eggplant Parmigiana. We had shrimp cocktail, lobster ravioli, a salad from Himself's garden, and berry tartlets. We hung out in the sun room and watched The Black List

4. After doctor's appointment and lab work for Himself we stopped for take out at The 99. Smothered steak tips for Himself, a lobster roll for me, and another day of no cooking.


5. Got the idea for this year's Christmas card while watching Bradford Dillman in Francis of Assisi (1961)

How was your week?

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Worcester Art Museum Fall Classes

All Fall classes for the Worcester Art Museum will be online.

Live from my studio via Zoom, I will be teaching two sections of  Calligraphy 

September 23 - November 11, Wednesdays, 6 PM - 8 PM, 8 sessions
September 24 - November 12, Thursdays,    1 PM - 3 PM, 8 session

I will also be teaching a Make Your Own Book workshop
November 7, 2020, Saturday,  1 PM - 4 PM, 3 hours.

You don't need to be from the Worcester, MA area to attend! You can take classes from the comfort of your own home. Anywhere in the world. Time Zone Converter I hope you can join me.

REGARDING ONLINE CLASSES:
Students should familiarize themselves with Zoom software prior to the beginning of the first class session.  Instructions will be sent on how to create a free Zoom account and how to sign in to the secure Zoom classroom before class. Teens are welcome in Online Adult Classes if they are comfortable with the medium. 

Due to privacy concerns, online classes will not be recorded. Make-up classes are not offered if students are absent. Class tuition cannot be prorated due to student absences.

Scholarships are available.

Class size is limited. Sign up early so you have time to purchase any necessary supplies.

Please visit the Class Registration and Policies page

For questions, please call the Education Desk at (508) 793-4333 or send an email to transactions@worcesterart.org

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

T Stands for 35th Anniversary

 

via GIPHY

Happy Anniversary, Kid! There's no one else I'd rather be quarantined with. 💙

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Monday, August 17, 2020

Requirements to Be President or Vice President of the United States.


 This is from a blog post 11. October 2011. Somethings just never seem to change. Originally, this post was about the requirements to be President of the United States, but the requirements also cover the Vice President so I changed the blog title to reflect this. 

Normally, I don't write about hot button topics on the blog. I stay away from political and religious debates. I don't bait the bear with whether Heath is a better cowboy than Nick. However, the latest round of presidential candidate bull and the press reporting the stories has put a burr on my shirt tail.

I'm sick of the whining and finger pointing of candidates or their supporters bemoaning their opponent's ability to run for an office because they are not considered a good, practicing, member of a certain religion.  Excuse me?

Have you ,politicians, aspiring politicians, political supporters, members of the Press, and everyday citizens (just for good measure), bothered to read the Constitution? You know, the document that lays out the ground rules for the 3 branches of government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial)? I realize that reading the original document in its beautiful English Roundhand script might prove difficult for some, but the document has been printed.

Article II, Section I of the Constitution deals with the requirements to run for the office of President of the United States. [ed: the requirements also apply to the office of Vice President of the United States]

 "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."

Let's look at this line by line, shall we?

No Person except a natural born Citizen, that means you have to be born in the United States, and not just the 48 contiguous states, but Alaska and Hawaii are also bona fide states. At least that's what I learned in grade school, but I also learned that Pluto was the ninth planet in our solar system. Pluto seems to have lost favored planet status, but I'm pretty sure Alaska and Hawaii are still states.

That phrase Natural Born Citizen means your parents could have emigrated to the USA from Europe, Asia, Africa, etc. or Pluto.  If you were born in this country, you are automatically a citizen and you can become President of the United States even if your parents are citizens of another country or planet!

Let's continue. Or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President . The Constitution was adopted in 1787. Someone around at that time would now be some 224 years old, [ed: now 233 years old] so that ship has already sailed.

neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, You have to be 35 years or older. (And there is no cap on how old is too old) The 15th. Amendment to the Constitution granted male Citizens the privilege to vote regardless of race or color.  The 19th. Amendment to the Constitution extended this right to women. So as long as you are 35 years older or older, it doesn't matter whether you are male, female, blue, green, purple or any other color. You can be President of the United States.

and been fourteen Years a Resident  within the United States. Ok, this last statement may be a little fuzzy as it doesn't address whether your 14 year residency must be consecutive, or residency as an adult.

Let's recap.There are only 3 simple requirements to be President. You must be a natural born Citizen. You must be 35 years old or older, and you have had to reside in the United States for a period of 14 years. Period.

No where in the Constitution does it state you have to be a good, practicing member of a particular religion.

You don't even have to practice a religion. You aren't required to have diplomatic or previous political experience. Being a member of a certain race, color, or sexual orientation is not required. Being married to the opposite sex or same sex is not a requirement. These aspects of a person's background shouldn't even come into question!

And members of the Press? Shame on you for reporting the he said, he said, she said. When ridiculous issues of whether one is a member of a cult or not, arise, set the record straight and remind your readers or viewers that this is not a requirement to be president.

If you're in Washington, DC, you can visit the National Archives and you can see and read the original documents. Admission to the National Archives is free! If you can't travel to Washington, DC. you can visit The National Archives on line and can read the documents and download images of the documents yourself.

Maybe reading The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights, should also be a requirement to run for any political office.

Sunday, August 16, 2020

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 


Some bunny ate some morning glory seeds and left a morning glory behind in the middle of the lawn.


The morning glories in the pots are top heavy and go over in the slightest breeze


They are wilted and


tired of the heat and humidity. 


Timex didn't eat all the mini sunflower seeds I planted. Looks like 3 blooms coming soon.


My area is in drought and it shows. 


Ink's garden doesn't look too bad.


The milkweeds don't seem to mind the heat and humidity


Neither does the bee as she goes about her business among the flat top golden rod


It's been too hot to weed the Zen garden. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.


The moderate drought conditions are stressing the trees. Some of them are turning color early and dropping leaves.


A mourning dove feather


Dedo peeks through the hydrangea which doesn't seem to be effected by the drought.

How does your garden grow?


Saturday, August 15, 2020

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

This idea came from a Facebook meme:

Over 10 days, post your 10 all time favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.


Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order:me favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.


Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order:

 

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison

If you haven't seen this movie, it looks like you can view it Free on YouTube


Friday, August 14, 2020

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. Re-watching The Blacklist

2. Finished a gift. More later when the recipient receives it.

3. I'm not a big fan of ice cream, but it's been so hot and humid, we picked up ice cream on the last grocery store run.

4. Blood work done last week, the Lyme test came back negative and

5. my Vitamin D level is now in the normal range. (Back in Jan. my vitamin D levels were severely low. The doctor put me on a weekly, super vitamin D2 pill. I only have to take the D2 once a month now.

How was your week?

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Happy Mail


Happy mail from Nan. Nan and I took an online lettering class based on Ben Shahn's lettering. Ben Shahn was an American lettering artist and painter. His work focused on social realism.

The lettering class was fun. The letters are wonky and forgiving.  In the lettering class, the instructor, Carol DuBosch used a folded pen to create the Shahn letters with colored inks.

The letters can also be outlined and drawn as Nan has done. She coordinated her lettering to match the Celebrate stamp and she included a fun hand made card.

Just like Nan's card "I hope your day is full of sunshine and rainbows", too.