tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38609329542429322212024-03-05T04:11:46.305-05:00FoamFriends - From the Heart and Hands of Nitathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-71006599899588794212023-03-30T12:36:00.002-04:002023-03-30T12:42:21.986-04:00FOAMFRIENDS WELCOMES A NEW ARTIST BLOG!<h2 style="text-align: center;"> Come on Over and Visit </h2><h1 style="text-align: center;">Demeter's Dreams </h1><p style="text-align: center;">at<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://demeterdreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">https://demeterdreams.blogspot.com/</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">and on INSTAGRAM</p><p style="text-align: center;">at</p><p style="text-align: center;"> /<a href="https://www.instagram.com/foamfriends4u/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/foamfriends4u/</a><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;">I invite you to join me on my continuing JOURNEY to EVOLVE through </p><p style="text-align: center;">ARTISTIC EXPRESSION as I explore the medium of</p><p style="text-align: center;">Acrylic on Canvas<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkt0bcQ7fZAL8HbD3HH9YXV1r0emWJ852TI9kDwN4Irn4_N0dnAF9GweJ6axylv52yKX5B0Bqbz0fAwSd3Bixkt0XWsUNTZ-gHKVMMMbJUAgt_iZN7IVLTjisSd1ZmlVxY05CdGKexBDxPB4MF3eCGo9DVyZvmJ3emNIHzzRUqgOHktTw1zMOl-g/s2384/20221206_152933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2384" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkt0bcQ7fZAL8HbD3HH9YXV1r0emWJ852TI9kDwN4Irn4_N0dnAF9GweJ6axylv52yKX5B0Bqbz0fAwSd3Bixkt0XWsUNTZ-gHKVMMMbJUAgt_iZN7IVLTjisSd1ZmlVxY05CdGKexBDxPB4MF3eCGo9DVyZvmJ3emNIHzzRUqgOHktTw1zMOl-g/w400-h303/20221206_152933.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVfbfsJY_Nwlik2AXAtCBFvezfo4UpaFLuTBDIbgU25JiXgz_wcJ6xUxilDajHUpMCGlWo15YlOqjksoAEYAeBJZdM7HWFuz973qgIwNApKTOq6KVMvsQvs24QyqGLaxWx0UKYvJNcw7bZUJjYSKxXTihEJ6HQQI9el97UyjOR3YaFhxFVAbt3DE/s2978/20221206_152944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2978" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVfbfsJY_Nwlik2AXAtCBFvezfo4UpaFLuTBDIbgU25JiXgz_wcJ6xUxilDajHUpMCGlWo15YlOqjksoAEYAeBJZdM7HWFuz973qgIwNApKTOq6KVMvsQvs24QyqGLaxWx0UKYvJNcw7bZUJjYSKxXTihEJ6HQQI9el97UyjOR3YaFhxFVAbt3DE/w400-h241/20221206_152944.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Thank you for visiting and please consider leaving a comment or writing to me at</p><p style="text-align: center;">foamfriends4u@gmail.com<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-25747828653871527992019-03-20T17:29:00.002-04:002019-03-20T17:44:03.951-04:00Going COASTAL at THE BLUE FLAMINGO<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">FOAMFRIENDS</span></span> goes <span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">COASTAL!</span></span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am very pleased to announce that as of March 2019, <span style="font-size: large;">FoamFriends by Nita</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> will be available for purchase at </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GVrGSaoEbw/XJKpXWL-liI/AAAAAAAABxA/lhhV60Bc7tYPncQJm4hoXUhv-ThyHbwhwCLcBGAs/s1600/The-Blue-Flamingo-Logo-Final.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GVrGSaoEbw/XJKpXWL-liI/AAAAAAAABxA/lhhV60Bc7tYPncQJm4hoXUhv-ThyHbwhwCLcBGAs/s1600/The-Blue-Flamingo-Logo-Final.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4229 26th St. W</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BRADENTON, FLORIDA</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://theblueflamingo.biz/" target="_blank">VISIT THEIR WONDERFUL WEBSITE</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Theblueflamingomightfly/" target="_blank">Or CLICK HERE for their FACEBOOK PAGE!</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz9WJOB5h9DYSlV5iawpH12zKUby4JAKA7hWg3pfPuse6VYevuOxAzMSiH15XiXkY2HGvB_mlMQXE8OVlJE' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a GALLERY of the ONE-OF-A-KIND PIECES that were created for and sent to Florida.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please feel free to contact me with any questions through the link to my email address or if you have a GOOGLE account, you can leave COMMENTS!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As you would expect, most items have FOAM* elements but I did expand into using acrylics on canvas with resin and gypsum-based molded pieces and texture to add interest!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*extruded polystyrene and EVA foam sheets</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LNuwuSf4z9EzNbahv5UjbFRShW7_vjIDT9uE3cgT3ZP8r1iHrKGSgMpqTXmpsod8fG9ikQvdrumKYaHV6-K4FPwnbxvRUxRPN81bXyhmOxpIP7W_y6cxO_SRA7l5EUkXpF1Z8FHjZ2c/s1600/13-Flamingo+Pair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1600" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LNuwuSf4z9EzNbahv5UjbFRShW7_vjIDT9uE3cgT3ZP8r1iHrKGSgMpqTXmpsod8fG9ikQvdrumKYaHV6-K4FPwnbxvRUxRPN81bXyhmOxpIP7W_y6cxO_SRA7l5EUkXpF1Z8FHjZ2c/s320/13-Flamingo+Pair.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--w2Beo-kxv0/XJKr3mOEjcI/AAAAAAAABzM/DyNJrQUU3ZM_E0UufKjsNECNCZYEwkuwwCEwYBhgL/s1600/1-Mermaid%2BMask%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1372" height="145" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--w2Beo-kxv0/XJKr3mOEjcI/AAAAAAAABzM/DyNJrQUU3ZM_E0UufKjsNECNCZYEwkuwwCEwYBhgL/s200/1-Mermaid%2BMask%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUvayopaI84/XJKr4lx4IGI/AAAAAAAABzM/q4jcJbvyL4wygUag6wk8b2BmPUK13abEQCEwYBhgL/s1600/2-Flower%2BMask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1447" height="163" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUvayopaI84/XJKr4lx4IGI/AAAAAAAABzM/q4jcJbvyL4wygUag6wk8b2BmPUK13abEQCEwYBhgL/s200/2-Flower%2BMask.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> MASKS!!!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Creating these items was so much fun and helped me cope with our MICHIGAN POLAR VORTEX!</span></span></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U13qHII8UZs/XJKr4sYoxfI/AAAAAAAABzI/B77e6sonH8YjfM5RrMA02m_h7M70Ev-tgCEwYBhgL/s1600/3-Be%2Ba%2BMermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="942" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U13qHII8UZs/XJKr4sYoxfI/AAAAAAAABzI/B77e6sonH8YjfM5RrMA02m_h7M70Ev-tgCEwYBhgL/s400/3-Be%2Ba%2BMermaid.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faux Foam Driftwood frame!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span> </span></span></span></h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6LZPlZb3lA/XJKr-11CDcI/AAAAAAAABzU/jHxZ6NtrQmY_FZv-LeF1gAKrIZMcqM0xACEwYBhgL/s1600/5-Sans%2BBikini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1351" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6LZPlZb3lA/XJKr-11CDcI/AAAAAAAABzU/jHxZ6NtrQmY_FZv-LeF1gAKrIZMcqM0xACEwYBhgL/s320/5-Sans%2BBikini.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SANS BIKINI!!! (Look closely at this one!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5hDCF0vBUF3hyphenhyphenmJ2UZfiUOr6oJRAZUxLpuAl8MryZ8IBRfgWyJILzWZztVIIqNRljFr2IX6a_dy8SIUOXPPP9C6HcbN3M9oRhtrpUHItER06SkpE9SPnetRbpBN3H-9zpdfybxdHBXA/s1600/7-Beach+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5hDCF0vBUF3hyphenhyphenmJ2UZfiUOr6oJRAZUxLpuAl8MryZ8IBRfgWyJILzWZztVIIqNRljFr2IX6a_dy8SIUOXPPP9C6HcbN3M9oRhtrpUHItER06SkpE9SPnetRbpBN3H-9zpdfybxdHBXA/s320/7-Beach+Dreams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WHQF91QcIA/XJKr-2aAp1I/AAAAAAAABzM/bxNza6cj288rIPAXpdvA0RdJ17_V79d1wCEwYBhgL/s1600/6-Believe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WHQF91QcIA/XJKr-2aAp1I/AAAAAAAABzM/bxNza6cj288rIPAXpdvA0RdJ17_V79d1wCEwYBhgL/s320/6-Believe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqqBu-kXahU/XJKr_fKDPNI/AAAAAAAABzU/SlZaz5kZ0VkR9yGaTAQep6mE8LM1Z-bQACEwYBhgL/s1600/9-Gulf%2BWaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqqBu-kXahU/XJKr_fKDPNI/AAAAAAAABzU/SlZaz5kZ0VkR9yGaTAQep6mE8LM1Z-bQACEwYBhgL/s320/9-Gulf%2BWaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRM3RoZW3oU/XJKr8jVZeYI/AAAAAAAABy8/0DHDQxVGhkQrMNgstsIZuh3NszcCqxWmwCEwYBhgL/s1600/10-Silhouette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1594" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRM3RoZW3oU/XJKr8jVZeYI/AAAAAAAABy8/0DHDQxVGhkQrMNgstsIZuh3NszcCqxWmwCEwYBhgL/s200/10-Silhouette.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUtkpUov1bBNnLoWUZQ1CAjleyCoY8zoESYfg_Yzzw__iBAUN5cKWY4bsb6I3I8408leR9CiZlJ4fkFf3NMHaG8WS97R7q2RrMLcPLZ0XAROdk2unt7Ws8rHPmJexsX8tfIXaG7ulc34/s1600/14-Beach+Signs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUtkpUov1bBNnLoWUZQ1CAjleyCoY8zoESYfg_Yzzw__iBAUN5cKWY4bsb6I3I8408leR9CiZlJ4fkFf3NMHaG8WS97R7q2RrMLcPLZ0XAROdk2unt7Ws8rHPmJexsX8tfIXaG7ulc34/s320/14-Beach+Signs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5werSxeTxz_arZS_2dPZen1YtBOO181l369r6JHi9caMC3HD3oLbrCefK79Iig3BA4ZthIBWplNlhYVdO_K3j90O_742y1nGy0BrJZyKzZ5pb7tlSFeFkVg1Aa1HrOXzjUzdEbYAn0gc/s1600/11-Three+Birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5werSxeTxz_arZS_2dPZen1YtBOO181l369r6JHi9caMC3HD3oLbrCefK79Iig3BA4ZthIBWplNlhYVdO_K3j90O_742y1nGy0BrJZyKzZ5pb7tlSFeFkVg1Aa1HrOXzjUzdEbYAn0gc/s400/11-Three+Birds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinx5hxr-Y7B5a6pgN0d_Odbl27XnHHhfA2HJOe_yk9NeUgPWryln6XgzTeR2Jb-ZVgEbBIU75BDzZ6nQuES2Sf8y5tZgyvXp5GIPC9wlm_ID0ejRKarpV89uiJIt4IFI_eLXzann4Lg-s/s1600/20-Swim+Deep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1105" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinx5hxr-Y7B5a6pgN0d_Odbl27XnHHhfA2HJOe_yk9NeUgPWryln6XgzTeR2Jb-ZVgEbBIU75BDzZ6nQuES2Sf8y5tZgyvXp5GIPC9wlm_ID0ejRKarpV89uiJIt4IFI_eLXzann4Lg-s/s320/20-Swim+Deep.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWUJjKk2O9fkWpx3mZrGab0qQ_X5T6ApktftNOXy93ft-Xh4RHXQp3EGXAsdSY-f7mnRWVKVGLZ8d7vMm0RpgiKgVCjRcIBLFhb34yvlKV-_OFwHYSKCw1i3xEtHT8eKLD70DLC0lfPg/s1600/21-Ascend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1553" data-original-width="1054" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWUJjKk2O9fkWpx3mZrGab0qQ_X5T6ApktftNOXy93ft-Xh4RHXQp3EGXAsdSY-f7mnRWVKVGLZ8d7vMm0RpgiKgVCjRcIBLFhb34yvlKV-_OFwHYSKCw1i3xEtHT8eKLD70DLC0lfPg/s320/21-Ascend.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DgIZWW0eauM/XJKrzDCbkZI/AAAAAAAABzA/1cVuoXBO2UUPhh5eP3NsKTCctU-P5KfWQCEwYBhgL/s1600/23-Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="1331" height="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DgIZWW0eauM/XJKrzDCbkZI/AAAAAAAABzA/1cVuoXBO2UUPhh5eP3NsKTCctU-P5KfWQCEwYBhgL/s320/23-Joy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SHADOW SAND BOX!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtDZO4lXH00O_uM-I6pmpDpO-L9N8o9dR_GbWExJ4m9cOavYe6fx_0nEd7mIqst56eNLW6ZqZToU6dTuMa-MPWl5G5ZkNSx_xHdaHSh62MqrtcvGxfH0VslsqgHR944zuHUQlIeJr70k/s1600/8-Starfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1243" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtDZO4lXH00O_uM-I6pmpDpO-L9N8o9dR_GbWExJ4m9cOavYe6fx_0nEd7mIqst56eNLW6ZqZToU6dTuMa-MPWl5G5ZkNSx_xHdaHSh62MqrtcvGxfH0VslsqgHR944zuHUQlIeJr70k/s320/8-Starfish.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
Thank you so very much for visiting my BLOG and for making plans to visit THE BLUE FLAMINGO the next time you are in the St. Pete - Sarasota area in Florida. While you're here, please consider visiting my other galleries and keep in mind that I would LOVE to make you exactly what you want!!thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-88748098687247540532016-07-27T17:58:00.000-04:002016-08-17T11:29:52.471-04:00SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE LIBRARIANS<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...and writers and readers and thinkers and doers! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A lot of my friends are TEACHERS, too. Well, where I work I consider every adult to be in the teaching profession. Some do their "teaching" while running up and down the sidelines of a court or field of play, others conduct their lessons while sweeping and mopping, quite a few provide training while serving meals and some of us educate through simply setting examples and the best example that can be set is to <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">READ!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So when my dear friend, the Librarian, approached me with a project that would enable students to feel more comfortable while exploring the different genres that are available in her Library - I was more than happy to help out! Her idea was to have a set of 10" x 15" bookshelf signs that would clearly indicate the location of the various types of literature so that students could investigate independently. What a great idea!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a wonderful time creating the designs for and making these signs and they made me think about all of the different types of books I enjoy reading. I've always wanted to be a writer but for now I'll settle on being a FOAM artist. I do hope you enjoy these and I hope they give you ideas about something SPECIAL you would like me to create for you!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You are UNIQUE and ONE-OF-A-KIND- </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">so show it off with a unique and one-of-a-kind FOAMFRIEND!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what is your favorite kind of book to read?</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQc3H--6yOo/V5ktdOk7_qI/AAAAAAAABj0/bGG6v4C9cYU1K-Jdge7QvCzf2u10UPXjwCLcB/s1600/adventure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQc3H--6yOo/V5ktdOk7_qI/AAAAAAAABj0/bGG6v4C9cYU1K-Jdge7QvCzf2u10UPXjwCLcB/s320/adventure.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Adventure? One of my teacher friends expands her knowledge of the world around us by taking fantastic solo adventures every summer. She might be in the classroom for 9 months but the rest of the time she is out there - having experiences that enlighten her mind and lighten her soul so that when she returns to the classroom she is an even more powerful woman and educator!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a2_hvxGYci8/V5kte7Wt4JI/AAAAAAAABkA/N4eIp6bZVSAHLjDa3AbQoRG6ubpUB8UDQCLcB/s1600/fantasy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a2_hvxGYci8/V5kte7Wt4JI/AAAAAAAABkA/N4eIp6bZVSAHLjDa3AbQoRG6ubpUB8UDQCLcB/s320/fantasy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fantasy? One of my teachers friends worked as a substitute teacher five days a week and then went home each night to work on writing. His genre - Fantasy. He would dress up in costumes to help his students explore the wonderful worlds that can be explored only in books. Whether he ends up writing or teacher full-time he will give a gift to the young people!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GVT98Qt96A/V5kte7AlkmI/AAAAAAAABj8/3VZ3p_qVafs7EGvbOm0mgH7II3uUHrCiQCLcB/s1600/historic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GVT98Qt96A/V5kte7AlkmI/AAAAAAAABj8/3VZ3p_qVafs7EGvbOm0mgH7II3uUHrCiQCLcB/s320/historic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Historic? Fiction or Non-Fiction - they both can be great reads. One of my teacher friends is a History teacher and has found that by incorporating some historical fiction with his non-fiction lessons his students become even more excited about learning about the past. I know that I loved learning more about the Regency period so that I could enjoy my Jane Austen more! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrLR9f8CpTc/V5kte8gqhVI/AAAAAAAABj4/_j6fx1Vz09cLOu8Mw8OXKExJlk6vYesqgCLcB/s1600/humor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrLR9f8CpTc/V5kte8gqhVI/AAAAAAAABj4/_j6fx1Vz09cLOu8Mw8OXKExJlk6vYesqgCLcB/s320/humor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Humor? This genre can be found in a lot of fiction. Who doesn't love to laugh. That's the one thing about working with teachers...they ALWAYS manage to find a way to laugh. They take their profession seriously but not themselves. Many of them realize that they are in a wonderful position to continue to see the world through young eyes - eyes that are not fearful or cynical but that still have room for hope and humor!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SjW0nGTymoQ/V5ktfL-ODvI/AAAAAAAABkE/Kd8W6PCPY1kfIU6B_iKau2ZxcdVj3NXzgCLcB/s1600/mystery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SjW0nGTymoQ/V5ktfL-ODvI/AAAAAAAABkE/Kd8W6PCPY1kfIU6B_iKau2ZxcdVj3NXzgCLcB/s320/mystery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYoMQbaUlMw/V5ktfM5pkDI/AAAAAAAABkI/cewSaAoIC_AITtVig1y2-Ce6kBVFhps-QCLcB/s1600/paranormal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYoMQbaUlMw/V5ktfM5pkDI/AAAAAAAABkI/cewSaAoIC_AITtVig1y2-Ce6kBVFhps-QCLcB/s320/paranormal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Fztg3sc4Xc/V5ktfHTDYlI/AAAAAAAABkM/8jZ_W19-sxkYFxGgCJuGyzKjUPmWxl75gCLcB/s1600/realistic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Fztg3sc4Xc/V5ktfHTDYlI/AAAAAAAABkM/8jZ_W19-sxkYFxGgCJuGyzKjUPmWxl75gCLcB/s320/realistic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPkpD7DpMbc/V5ktfThdymI/AAAAAAAABkQ/kKRpuyfdIVowRnS8rjN976Y1Jv5Auhs0QCLcB/s1600/romance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPkpD7DpMbc/V5ktfThdymI/AAAAAAAABkQ/kKRpuyfdIVowRnS8rjN976Y1Jv5Auhs0QCLcB/s320/romance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVWi4RiswLc/V5ktfc2tPtI/AAAAAAAABkU/yWebuRNSqpk0ftaTODlekgIEIzm9zxvxwCLcB/s1600/scifi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVWi4RiswLc/V5ktfc2tPtI/AAAAAAAABkU/yWebuRNSqpk0ftaTODlekgIEIzm9zxvxwCLcB/s320/scifi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwFFAcClwFg/V5kvZ1rBrPI/AAAAAAAABko/plqIDGHFs9MJPecUZIE-vWc8LRJVwZqYwCLcB/s1600/horror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwFFAcClwFg/V5kvZ1rBrPI/AAAAAAAABko/plqIDGHFs9MJPecUZIE-vWc8LRJVwZqYwCLcB/s320/horror.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCux84OHGFg/V5ktffvA2pI/AAAAAAAABkY/qm-0yxezM-UyBghb8-g1n5_DFs8fplpiQCLcB/s1600/sports.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCux84OHGFg/V5ktffvA2pI/AAAAAAAABkY/qm-0yxezM-UyBghb8-g1n5_DFs8fplpiQCLcB/s320/sports.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNHVnVqODRA/V5ktfXEa9kI/AAAAAAAABkc/-ihKBUSg0y03xpQMfTDXgxoekm0RtjhywCLcB/s1600/urban%2Blit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNHVnVqODRA/V5ktfXEa9kI/AAAAAAAABkc/-ihKBUSg0y03xpQMfTDXgxoekm0RtjhywCLcB/s320/urban%2Blit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-30390293744249054182016-01-25T17:30:00.002-05:002016-01-27T17:50:45.032-05:00A Mantra for a Michigan Winter Monday<h3>
</h3>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am ALIVE.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5dAmRGKThDE/VqZpLwbzX6I/AAAAAAAABh4/yCn8bh5OXac/s1600/kadbasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5dAmRGKThDE/VqZpLwbzX6I/AAAAAAAABh4/yCn8bh5OXac/s320/kadbasket.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am LOVED.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am HERE.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am CREATING.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That's enough. </span></span></blockquote>
<br />
For many of us residing in the north, (including this blogger) January is a time to hibernate. Lower the blinds to close out the grey when the lid moves upon us for days. Put on some music while you meditate or dance. Light a scented candle. Write in your journal or send a handwritten letter to a relative or friend. Cuddle up with a few pets, drink some mulled-wine, read a good book, enjoy some indoor pastimes! <br />
<br />
Always keeping in mind that when the skies clear to blue and shadows appear how giddy you will feel. Strangers on the street, on elevators, in line at the store will smile and make eye contact! When the high temperature for the day is above 30 and the overnight lows don't dip below 20 ... celebrate! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M53yniYC6zE/VqahLLl3DBI/AAAAAAAABjM/22ljvjD-aXM/s1600/cold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M53yniYC6zE/VqahLLl3DBI/AAAAAAAABjM/22ljvjD-aXM/s200/cold.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Winter life in the north forces you to Live in the Moment - as failure to do so could result in great bodily harm. Any day you can go outside without having to take measures to protect yourself against frostbite or slipping - tripping and falling is truly a special occasion!<br />
<br />
Taking my own advice I started off the new year by cuddling with the pets ( yes, the Holly Way Pride is up to five feline members now!), drinking wine (sometimes I'm just not patient enough for the mulling process), reading a good mystery novel (okay - when I say I'm going in to read for awhile it usually turns into a nap) and pursuing some of my favorite indoor pastimes! These include doing anything with FOAM, researching Lansing history on the web while building my Pinterest gallery of Historical Images of Lansing, playing board games with my two boys, eating comfort foods and finding new ways to express myself artistically!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_C6FaeuF1ocqreXF_zNRXgZECGlVUxZFUMTkBJZho1prEUPabNJRT0us-pO_dn19dL9PnWzjMgjbi07eNJXJ8cBfoyPwYqBmnNcMoQm-o3EZU7GuXV0h1ceOzIwo4NEY7bcKwXmOtvbg/s1600/rest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_C6FaeuF1ocqreXF_zNRXgZECGlVUxZFUMTkBJZho1prEUPabNJRT0us-pO_dn19dL9PnWzjMgjbi07eNJXJ8cBfoyPwYqBmnNcMoQm-o3EZU7GuXV0h1ceOzIwo4NEY7bcKwXmOtvbg/s320/rest.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
My latest project is working with high-quality sandstone drink coasters with rubber nonslip backing. I didn't have to search very far for inspiration. It was all around me. In baskets, sleeping on the couch, playing in paper bags, claiming the top of the frig as their princess tower, waking me too early for morning snack...yep...the Holly Way Pride of FIVE!<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rlfj0Lf5Pk/VqadhTFz7jI/AAAAAAAABiU/iX9L3kM7jbk/s1600/coasters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rlfj0Lf5Pk/VqadhTFz7jI/AAAAAAAABiU/iX9L3kM7jbk/s320/coasters.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Bombadil "Zen Master Vanilla Thunder"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lucky Buckie "The Illusive"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Avalon "Grey Queen Beauty Butt"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Kadashan "Gold Cats are BIG!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">& Goldberry "Little Princess Buffy"</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nROQtOwgkG0/Vqaedj7raUI/AAAAAAAABig/HAuhUbPqWu4/s1600/019a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nROQtOwgkG0/Vqaedj7raUI/AAAAAAAABig/HAuhUbPqWu4/s320/019a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Soon other cat lovers realized how a void was now present in their lives and that they must pay tribute to their feline family members by having their own unique coasters made by Foam Friends! (I am assuming these thoughts were implanted by their cats. You may think they are just sleeping a lot but in reality they are planning...always planning!) Supplied with a couple photos of the cats to be depicted along with some details about their unique personalities - the owners of Lilly, Jack, Sadie and Bobalu soon had their very own way to "Have a Drink on their Cats!".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pwp0d_uYbU/Vqaeq49u3JI/AAAAAAAABio/f5Xq3F2ngXY/s1600/020a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pwp0d_uYbU/Vqaeq49u3JI/AAAAAAAABio/f5Xq3F2ngXY/s320/020a.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
Not a cat fancier - not to worry. These Coaster Creatures can be custom created to depict whatever or whomever you want... dogs, rats, birds, or even brothers and bosses!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F2cazou7efU/Vqae2y0IqhI/AAAAAAAABiw/LqL-7L5CmXY/s1600/014a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F2cazou7efU/Vqae2y0IqhI/AAAAAAAABiw/LqL-7L5CmXY/s320/014a.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hand-Painted </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">High-Quality </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Creature Coasters </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">by Foam Friends - <span style="color: #990000;"><b>$10.00 each</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_MmO4sAyzA/Vqae5HVLExI/AAAAAAAABi4/6sscBGYXGLI/s1600/015a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_MmO4sAyzA/Vqae5HVLExI/AAAAAAAABi4/6sscBGYXGLI/s320/015a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-69137516338712371992015-11-30T18:06:00.000-05:002015-12-02T15:56:43.091-05:00In Honor of LOVE<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N29fNsXifO4/Vl3A9SQvi9I/AAAAAAAABbc/QEIyV1mnErg/s1600/dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N29fNsXifO4/Vl3A9SQvi9I/AAAAAAAABbc/QEIyV1mnErg/s200/dad.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-it_R_m1oV5Y/VlzHbdZP6uI/AAAAAAAABZE/n3I4fwBNKoU/s1600/chesterkad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The one sure thing you can say about my father, that remained true throughout his entire life, was that he dearly loved cats. Even when Alzheimers took away most of what made him - him, he was still a genuine ailurophile. The weekend after he passed in 2010 we adopted two little orphaned kittens and named them in honor of my father's service during World War II - Kadashan Bay - named after the ship he served on - and Chester Nimitz - named after the fleet admiral for the United States Navy during WWII.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2m0BQNi9xs/VlzKOYcSI2I/AAAAAAAABZQ/HVZaTTfyylo/s1600/chest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2m0BQNi9xs/VlzKOYcSI2I/AAAAAAAABZQ/HVZaTTfyylo/s200/chest.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the years Kadashan grew into a "big buddha-bellied bumble bee-biting butter biscuit" of a cat with his brother, Chester, always remaining on the petite side. Tender, loving, inquisitive and absolutely adorable, our Chester was the most beautifully-marked cat we'd ever had. He loved to tag team for moles with his brother when out back for their "supervised" excursions and liked nothing more than to jump up into his tree to sharpen his claws, check out the yard from a higher vantage point or delay the inevitable when his human brother, Jack, would announce it was time to go in! In January of this year we had to say Farewell to our beloved Chester "Wolfpaw" Nimitz. </span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2AsHzfGok4o/VlzNG-09wHI/AAAAAAAABZo/wx6hdkhpzLw/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2AsHzfGok4o/VlzNG-09wHI/AAAAAAAABZo/wx6hdkhpzLw/s320/garden.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A young spirit with an old soul in a body that was never meant for longevity. Gone too soon - he joined the others who have drifted in and out of our lives - bringing only LOVE and leaving sweet cherished memories. Although the winter ground was frozen we laid him to rest next to the castle wall, beneath the branches of his tree where he loved to hunt for moles in the thick green ivy and roll in the soft black soil.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bL7kZSNWD0g/VlzSMSGxLHI/AAAAAAAABaU/9YuXUzFvq6w/s1600/hut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bL7kZSNWD0g/VlzSMSGxLHI/AAAAAAAABaU/9YuXUzFvq6w/s200/hut.jpg" width="200" /></a>In the Spring we began construction on our FoamFriends Medieval Village. We started with building three wattle and daub huts and a village well all made from extruded polystyrene and foam craft sheets with plans to eventually design and build a 1:12 scale medieval inn which we would name in honor of our dearly-departed little friend.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SSuIgZJhdU/VlzRyqUr51I/AAAAAAAABaM/SJvb9l--rF0/s1600/village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SSuIgZJhdU/VlzRyqUr51I/AAAAAAAABaM/SJvb9l--rF0/s320/village.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Presenting a work in progress:</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">CHESTER'S REST</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7mEGDa1DLA/VlzQadwgZXI/AAAAAAAABaA/pQDgk3yU7R8/s1600/chesters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7mEGDa1DLA/VlzQadwgZXI/AAAAAAAABaA/pQDgk3yU7R8/s200/chesters.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDeKNqeex0lx6XmmdhVpU9YOgeQO-vRaeEKq8feIImO7874wTC5rdFTx97DK-7iMSGPcuvfWGDoPlqvchyphenhyphen5hVfxuty4o_C8Iaxhu8-yHzdu4R5jZiyrUx0kb7O_1-4tlSIcLAoPJVdsE/s1600/023a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDeKNqeex0lx6XmmdhVpU9YOgeQO-vRaeEKq8feIImO7874wTC5rdFTx97DK-7iMSGPcuvfWGDoPlqvchyphenhyphen5hVfxuty4o_C8Iaxhu8-yHzdu4R5jZiyrUx0kb7O_1-4tlSIcLAoPJVdsE/s200/023a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> For Jeffrey and I - working on this project together has been a wonderfully gratifying experience and as we near the time when the Inn will be placed upon the spot where Chester rests - we find ourselves reflecting on the dear memories of all of the many fur people who have graced our home by sharing their, all too brief, lives with us. Once the Inn is moved outside, our Bombadil and Goldberry will have to find new napping locations or maybe a foam "cat house" is next on the project list?! <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See more photos of Chester's Rest in the Garden Village gallery tab.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhslbtky8LI/VlzSip23WLI/AAAAAAAABag/lPP3R92pe8Y/s1600/009a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhslbtky8LI/VlzSip23WLI/AAAAAAAABag/lPP3R92pe8Y/s400/009a.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauEHnRmf8NdgXESqbDeTFj4rvxKEmTCFhlzP_exjAjHdXIUsLkA9D8vVrTl5THD22twxLBZOcAj2xOHXK28i5SZOD9a20Kcxa6E1zjYqU3YSiMh9sCu2JQkxbll9c1oqGJcmE-8117dc/s1600/007a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauEHnRmf8NdgXESqbDeTFj4rvxKEmTCFhlzP_exjAjHdXIUsLkA9D8vVrTl5THD22twxLBZOcAj2xOHXK28i5SZOD9a20Kcxa6E1zjYqU3YSiMh9sCu2JQkxbll9c1oqGJcmE-8117dc/s320/007a.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OM12XjdQOi4/VlzVZpgJUuI/AAAAAAAABbA/0UR6pZs3aMY/s1600/010b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OM12XjdQOi4/VlzVZpgJUuI/AAAAAAAABbA/0UR6pZs3aMY/s400/010b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">CHESTER'S REST INN</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-28326301055804696612015-03-07T10:19:00.001-05:002015-08-18T17:26:59.767-04:00The FOAMFRIENDS Portfolio is HERE!!<a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZuG7RmzaOWTmg" target="_blank">http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZuG7RmzaOWTmg</a>thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-9669490205837804092015-02-26T18:01:00.000-05:002016-01-25T17:35:13.110-05:00Winter is a State of Mind<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I must admit that a smile crept across my face earlier this week when I watched the people of the Deep South struggling with their little temporary taste of what winter really feels and looks like. It's not a lack of compassion for my fellow human beings - it's JOY in finally getting to share with them the true burden and character-building aspects of that time of year when our hemisphere is tilted the winter way. Welcome fellow Earth inhabitants in the southern part of the U.S. to what has been our Northern reality and what is now becoming...yours.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhqtrCrGKOQ/VdOdHvHuM9I/AAAAAAAABWo/lTSUsJhdvAQ/s1600/012b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhqtrCrGKOQ/VdOdHvHuM9I/AAAAAAAABWo/lTSUsJhdvAQ/s320/012b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When you can't roll around in the grass because it is covered with inches (and sometimes feet) of snow. When the sidewalks are unshoveled or icy. When the roads are too treacherous for travel. When just going out to get the mail or take out the recycling makes your eyeballs hurt - that is when you discover just how strong you truly are. Winter is harsh from the salt stains on your boots to the dry skin on your face (the only body part you can reveal for several months) and if you are not in the right frame of mind...it will creep into your heart and make you sad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So how do I avoid those cabin-fever cold-weather induced slumps in mood? I opened an account with Pinterest (<i>pinterest.com/foamfriends4u</i>) and started experimenting with new (and exciting) ways to work with FOAM!!! Okay...here is a warning. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pinterest must be used in moderation. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yes, it can be a time-stealer but more than that...it can put the right side of your brain on overload!! There are so many creative people out there with really madly-wild, and not always necessary, crafting skills and I find myself wanting, no - needing, to try my hand at making EVERYTHING!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zxX5Ql9FW3U/VdOgLZMZazI/AAAAAAAABXE/1MaSl-T1Qis/s1600/procserv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zxX5Ql9FW3U/VdOgLZMZazI/AAAAAAAABXE/1MaSl-T1Qis/s320/procserv2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RK_19uYeNSA/VdOgIyGe28I/AAAAAAAABW4/k71v_dkIdXc/s1600/procserv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RK_19uYeNSA/VdOgIyGe28I/AAAAAAAABW4/k71v_dkIdXc/s320/procserv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10402474_10200153472637440_7230064830819572834_n.jpg?oh=aa1048b5c02ccce0c99f7e4ca686cf32&oe=55796D8E&__gda__=1435493867_926d99bd813533f2cb296d78254c39dd" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></a><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So...I reigned myself in and tried one new thing at a time. </span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First up....creating Faux Leather from Craft Foam Sheets.</span></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OvDAXY0W1XE/VdOjeNjn-lI/AAAAAAAABXg/j7UkneOObgU/s1600/procsimple3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OvDAXY0W1XE/VdOjeNjn-lI/AAAAAAAABXg/j7UkneOObgU/s320/procsimple3.jpg" width="236" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">MASKS!! I could make masks!! It's too cold to be outside so why not spend a weekend (and a snow day) and make a bunch of masks? The Woodland Spirit mask was inspired by masks made by WingandTalon Leatherworks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The cats are my own and they are The Venetian, the Celtic, and The Garden Cat. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf_iP5RJDFA/VdOhQDCvotI/AAAAAAAABXM/U0Jz86RUeMU/s1600/procserv3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf_iP5RJDFA/VdOhQDCvotI/AAAAAAAABXM/U0Jz86RUeMU/s320/procserv3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> They look cool as a wall display and yes, you can even wear them if you like (but be careful wearing them around your pets..it seems to mess with their sense of reality some how.) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cyNfaqwP9-Q/VdOj0G_YCTI/AAAAAAAABXo/2Vv-CH6vjzY/s1600/procsimple1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cyNfaqwP9-Q/VdOj0G_YCTI/AAAAAAAABXo/2Vv-CH6vjzY/s1600/procsimple1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Winter is truly a State of Mind and I hope you are finding ways to cope and create until the time comes when we can go back outside without putting on 5 pounds of additional clothing, scraping, shoveling, de-icing, and on and on. But in the meantime....May I suggest bringing a little <span style="font-size: large;">FOAMFRIENDS</span> into your life? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">EXPRESS YOURSELF - YOUR DREAMS - YOUR DESIRES</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">FoamFriends can help make your journey a FOAM-filled one!! <i>foamfriends4u@gmail.com</i></span>thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-90136957201275435662014-11-01T12:00:00.002-04:002014-11-01T12:00:40.230-04:00How to Get There From HereGetting from "Here" to "There" isn't always easy. <br />
<br />
First of all - you must establish what THERE is - then determine your PATH - then acquire the MEANS - then MOVE on it. But wait a minute...before any of that can happen - you must discover what your HERE is. Now...if you are planning a vacation or a trip to the market - this is not such a difficult task.<br />
<br />
But if you are seeking a deeper movement, well, to do that you really have to focus inward.<br />
<br />
Let the world fall away. Tune out the static and listen closely for the beat - the rhythm of your heart and your breath - truly open yourself and tune in to the vibration of your own LIFE. <br />
It is when we can do that - that we are free to discover ourselves - identify our PASSIONS and begin to realize the THERE that we seek. <br />
Then the work begins. <br />
Determining the PATH -acquiring the MEANS - MOVING ON IT!!<br />
<br />
It is in these rare quiet times of reflection and introspection, often experienced when I am in the act of creating, on a solo bike ride or while in savasana, that I can clearly see how much my art really means to me. How it is the one consistent element that has brought JOY into my life from making cards and writing poems for my family to designing and creating unique pieces of art from styrofoam! <br />
When asked, "So, what do you do?" - I must start responding with - "I AM AN ARTIST." <br />
With this reply I set myself free to finally discover my true THERE. <br />
<br />
For many of the people I know, in the workplace, on committees and socially - their passion is EDUCATION. This is not something they fell into while seeking something else. Whether they are classroom teachers, artists, actors, students or yoga instructors- it is not only WHAT they DO but what they believe is the KEY to their own fulfillment and their hopes for human society that makes them EDUCATORS. <br />
<br />
One such person recently commissioned me to create a piece that would not only identify her office and professional title, but would let others know what values she holds as a LIFE-LONG LEARNER and EDUCATOR. We all have many titles - but when we find what truly DEFINES us.. it is then that we are truly FREE!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7nSHUuedQM/VFUCG1DI2xI/AAAAAAAABSA/YJeL1_gvaAc/s1600/006a%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7nSHUuedQM/VFUCG1DI2xI/AAAAAAAABSA/YJeL1_gvaAc/s1600/006a%2B(2).jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></div>
<br />thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-92224910823302042432014-09-22T17:55:00.000-04:002016-01-25T18:10:21.493-05:00IT'S OKAY TO "LIVE IN THE PAST" IF YOU WENT TO HORSEBROOK SCHOOL.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Only four members of the 6th grade "graduating" class of 1971 attended the Horsebrook Elementary School Reunion on Saturday the 6th of September - 2014 - but we brought EVERYONE along with us.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-viLj1Ux7E5A/VCCYGaMM5BI/AAAAAAAABRM/Y6QYX7wHj6A/s1600/Horsebrook%2B70-71%2B6th%2Bgrade.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> They, the other kids we went to school with and the teachers we had throughout our years at Horsebrook, are <u>always</u> with us. They are part of us. We are all who we are now because of those experiences - that neighborhood - and that school that we all shared. Regardless of whether our memories of growing up may be <em>good</em> or <em>bad</em>, whether we remember the thrill of winning a class election or the heartbreak of being picked last for the dodgeball team, those experiences were the building blocks of our character.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Those years, from 5 to 11 or 12, are when we learn about "Our World". When "expected behavior" becomes habit, when actions have immediate consequence and when the dance of interpersonal relationships is first awkwardly learned. From the lines we had to get into every morning out on the school's porch before the start of the school day to the dress code (which for girls - really meant "dress" code), the rules we followed - the respect we held for our parents, our school and our teachers made us a collective of individuals. Being human - we would find ways to compete and separate ourselves from one another - the kids from the north side of Grand River Avenue and those form the south, the "smart" kids and those who were challenged when asked to read aloud, the athletes from the non-athletic, and yes, even the "haves" and the "have nots" . But what some of us (if not all of us) didn't quite realize at the time was just how very fortunate we all were to live in the Horsebrook community...and with the Horsebrook family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">School - College - Marriage - Children - Work - Money</span></h3>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they all demand our attention and alter our focus. </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We change our priorities - we discard what is not immediately needed or beneficial- </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> then....</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">we pause.</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We reach the middle of our fifth decade - when there is more behind us than ahead. When we get that opportunity to return to ourselves - when life's labels of student, spouse, parent, employee - are no longer what defines us. We are free to be that child again. We look into the mirror and wonder when we became our parents - we ask ourselves if we led a good life - we seek answers that can only come from within. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We look back to that time in our lives when we were FREE. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> When we were not DEFINED. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> When the future was yet to BE. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A time when we were safe - when the grown ups would always be there to make sure we had enough to eat, a bed to sleep in, a roof over our heads, clothes to wear, toys and books and FUN.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Time to get up. Eat all your cereal - finish the milk. Brush your teeth. Make your bed. Go outside and play. Don't overstay your welcome. Come home when the street lights come on. Eat all of your vegetables. There are starving kids in China. Clean your plate. Do the dishes. Don't talk when the News is on. Don't sit too close to the TV. Get ready for bed. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hit the sack! It's a school night!!"</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-11aNXEjOB1U/VCCY_P12L_I/AAAAAAAABRc/7hRr-XTV8gs/s1600/66-67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-11aNXEjOB1U/VCCY_P12L_I/AAAAAAAABRc/7hRr-XTV8gs/s1600/66-67.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We all walked to Horsebrook every school day. We tied the laces of our gym shoes together and hung them over the back of our seats. We brought milk money from home and thrilled at receiving the Scholastic Book Club items we may have ben fortunate enough to order. We played "Seven-Up" and whatever that game was that involved walking around with an eraser on your head. We had visiting gym teachers and music teachers. At mid-day we all left. Some had only to walk through their backyard, some went to the homes of others, but most of us went HOME for lunch. We couldn't wait to be a "big kid" so we could serve on the Safety Patrol. We cleaned litter from the grounds - decorated bulletin boards - learned how to square dance and felt like the whole world was looking at us each year when we marched along Grand River Avenue for the Halloween Parade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> No matter the season - recess at Horsebrook was AWESOME. Whether it was playing foursquare on the blacktop, kickball on the baseball diamond, making a "jampile" on a piece of cardboard so you could soar down the snow-covered hill, or exploring near the crick (the forbidden zone!)- it always ended with a collective groan when we would catch a glimpse of our teacher - up on the hill - raising her hand in the air to signal the time to line up to come back inside.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn765pcUf36F4HkEc-1uGegxcvGel9CyyinrDoIDWcUU27b7xP2yvDyLhmvkz8Z_Bi69N-JVZZZcaMCqhyhoj2UTsU8hkmpbWnzFWuaV3sLSSG1bZKrO5mmhHuqktuBik6CVbrY4kz0-M/s1600/horsebrk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn765pcUf36F4HkEc-1uGegxcvGel9CyyinrDoIDWcUU27b7xP2yvDyLhmvkz8Z_Bi69N-JVZZZcaMCqhyhoj2UTsU8hkmpbWnzFWuaV3sLSSG1bZKrO5mmhHuqktuBik6CVbrY4kz0-M/s1600/horsebrk.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Lansing was booming.</strong> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The population growing to over 100,000 in the early 60's and reaching its peak of over 131,000 in 1970. Oldsmobile had three shifts and over 15,000 employees. There were 36 elementary schools in Lansing. Most mothers still didn't work outside of the home and many served as "room mothers", scout leaders, day care providers and volunteers. The fathers worked at both blue collar and white collar jobs - at the car plant, or the Lansing State Journal, or the Board of Water and Light or they were carpenters or plumbers. And they would all be there for the Christmas Concert, or the Pancake Supper, or the Pinewood Derby. How very special if felt to return to Horsebrook at night. To go to our classrooms to prepare while our families were gathering in the gym. They knew each other. They were neighbors. They lived next door or down the street. They bought their meat from Gorman's and got their prescriptions filled at Martin's. They cared for their family, their community - their school.</span><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So you see...it's not such a bad thing to once in a while "Live in the Past" IF you were fortunate enough to go to Horsebrook Elementary School. It was a pretty fantastic "past" and because everything is temporary and all things change - having a "past" that makes you feel good about yourself and the world is a pretty wonderful thing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-20933855585817616412014-08-30T11:23:00.003-04:002016-01-25T18:10:54.663-05:00"Life is School and You Gotta Show Up!" <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is my shout out to all of the wonderful people I have had the privilege of working with over the past two decades - who choose TEACHING as their profession. Not just TEACHING, but teaching at the high school level where it can be a struggle to stay ahead of change and a daily battle must be waged to stay positive, energetic and engaged. Over the past week they have returned to their other "home" - back from their summer break - back from time spent with family and friends - time spent at educational conferences with peers - time spent rejuvenating their spirit. They come with posters and videos and a whole lot of HOPE! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16173.Jacques_Barzun" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Jacques Barzun</a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My sister and my husband were teachers - really excellent teachers who knew what they wanted to do from a very early age and loved being a part of the future. And even though I have spent my years in the school system on the support side of things - I have always considered myself to be an EDUCATOR. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Opportunities to <span style="font-size: large;">TEACH</span> are everywhere. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Teach through example. Be <span style="font-size: large;">kind</span>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Teach through petition. Expect <span style="font-size: large;">kindness</span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My teachers (Yes, I often refer to them in that manner not just because I can be, in some regard, their "teacher", but because I consider them to be family!) have supported my artistic endeavors for many years and I take great pride in knowing that my artwork hangs above so many classroom doors - adding a bit of whimsy - showing a side of a teacher's personality that students may not know exists - or, at the very least, reminding them what their teacher's name is!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So as we embark upon yet another journey of renewed HOPE a.k.a. a new school year in public education- here is a little gallery of FOAMFRIENDS for TEACHERS!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEx7tADSYB7_rk8mfG2nxuiZt8PleKwI-4ucKfJWkkdLMpH3i-FV5OhNjquidRLS8upEAJwEsaTaAtsnZiwAWRcNr8oQscp89x0J9M0nXc8jscN1FjFebXC3dxy4lrFqHoo0ijpy_sR1Q/s1600/100_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEx7tADSYB7_rk8mfG2nxuiZt8PleKwI-4ucKfJWkkdLMpH3i-FV5OhNjquidRLS8upEAJwEsaTaAtsnZiwAWRcNr8oQscp89x0J9M0nXc8jscN1FjFebXC3dxy4lrFqHoo0ijpy_sR1Q/s1600/100_1941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLoCEE3ty-E/SnIIvGGY2LI/AAAAAAAAAhk/QQVwakpnEWk/s1600/031a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLoCEE3ty-E/SnIIvGGY2LI/AAAAAAAAAhk/QQVwakpnEWk/s1600/031a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Skd2XU7jEN0/UoDyHZs63XI/AAAAAAAABBc/41TIwk8e7bM/s1600/Salais%2BScience.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Skd2XU7jEN0/UoDyHZs63XI/AAAAAAAABBc/41TIwk8e7bM/s1600/Salais%2BScience.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-YIvwcolP0/SnNctpoxYQI/AAAAAAAAAiY/o6il_Tul6oY/s1600/cougar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-YIvwcolP0/SnNctpoxYQI/AAAAAAAAAiY/o6il_Tul6oY/s1600/cougar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-21zTMNx12g8/SHdpJyka76I/AAAAAAAAAGo/yuHn0E0aaEY/s1600/100_1957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-21zTMNx12g8/SHdpJyka76I/AAAAAAAAAGo/yuHn0E0aaEY/s1600/100_1957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4yVSN7DNLdC6JIrFx5yAvY1-gYPVEJQtzKnDuSwXrlU2iaEZNJPE5w_9bfoRSwT7DBGcfl0zr9g0J7Zuy9kjxr3LJfF-eEQhBFCYRIy8njXlnsaKjiszr7LumI-IFsfiS4KJzIW7tzM/s1600/mccarthy.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pmyc8P8jM_Q/SOoLcIt8fII/AAAAAAAAAWY/BB0pCbqSd2k/s1600/100_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pmyc8P8jM_Q/SOoLcIt8fII/AAAAAAAAAWY/BB0pCbqSd2k/s1600/100_0694.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have a wonderful school year filled with exploration, creativity, learning, and (hopefully) a new <span style="font-size: large;">FOAMFRIEND</span> creation for your classroom!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-58423867642215669482014-08-14T18:21:00.001-04:002014-08-15T17:50:17.227-04:00Foamfriends Branches Out<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The commission was for a hand-painted mural on a dining room wall. Pam wanted a tree with bright green leaves that would serve as a Family Tree where she would display family photographs from its branches. But designing and painting the mural over the course of several weeks became much more than a simple commission. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It became a wonderful <b>opportunity</b>.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An <b>opportunity </b>to create for and while in the company of a dear friend. A confidant, an ally, a mentor, a playmate, a supporter. A soul sister whom I have known for almost as long as I have been on this Earth (but rarely make the time in my life to visit.) Someone who can make me laugh at LIFE and at myself. Someone who can bring out my inner 8 year-old while at the same time making me feel talented and wise. A beautiful woman who never judges - who always accepts her many friends just as they are and is always there when you need her most.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBj0lGjcjgEn0s1c1-hQoOU1R5JWqYhRBSiKn_DOuMs8Yv4qn6ijvxc6rSlayTD21pwihUOGUKiORqB6PmpiYAe_AxstDZHlVSWoGkzK7vCupLmbJc_936ZXllGRVxmnH_MVus1QKFUw/s1600/pam+and+nita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBj0lGjcjgEn0s1c1-hQoOU1R5JWqYhRBSiKn_DOuMs8Yv4qn6ijvxc6rSlayTD21pwihUOGUKiORqB6PmpiYAe_AxstDZHlVSWoGkzK7vCupLmbJc_936ZXllGRVxmnH_MVus1QKFUw/s1600/pam+and+nita.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam and Nita (with 2 of Pam's brothers)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, Pam, is still my best friend, my only real close friend besides my Mother, Sister and Husband, and was my kitty-corner neighbor for 21 years when I lived in the big brown and white house at the end of the gravel dead end road named Stockman Court. So painting this tree, which was a first for me, was really a gift. A gift from Pam. Her gift of a blank 8' x 12' wall where I was set free to create and explore. A gift that brought such JOY into my heart. Talking with her while I painted - visiting and sharing a meal or a snack with her after I was done for the day - whining to her about my little aches and pains - helping her work on her card projects - brought such PEACE to my soul as I rediscovered the value of our friendship, our shared history and our power as women.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbLSv2ZLs2s/U-0zeZZXQSI/AAAAAAAABPE/Di81bqyuApU/s1600/tree11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbLSv2ZLs2s/U-0zeZZXQSI/AAAAAAAABPE/Di81bqyuApU/s1600/tree11.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another <b>opportunity </b>occurred when I needed a boost of confidence and some painting tips so I called in my Foamgineer <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(see 11/19/13)</span></i>, Jeff. It was just a few days before we were set to celebrate our <b>30th Wedding Anniversary</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k2RGbm1KJfo/U-00VgK3M2I/AAAAAAAABPU/2G80L8BurB0/s1600/8484m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k2RGbm1KJfo/U-00VgK3M2I/AAAAAAAABPU/2G80L8BurB0/s1600/8484m.jpg" height="195" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so I asked Pam about the possibility of us posing for a photo in the sideyard of the old Galligan homestead on Stockman Court where our wedding ceremony took place in 1984 under the canopy of several gaily-colored tents filled with family and friends (and food, music and booze!). Pam told us that the house was vacant. There would be no one to ask for permission from - we could just go over there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was hesitant to return to the house that I hadn't been to since my parents moved out over 16 years ago. I was glad to have Pam's son, Craig, and Jeff with me as I walked through the gate behind Pam's house and looked again upon my childhood home. Proud and lonely - 2828 stands empty and neglected - but not forgotten. Gone are the lilac bushes at the edge of the drive, the rhubarb patch behind the back porch, the majestic white pine in the side yard, the hedge between the houses, and where there was once a flagstone-edged garden on the south side where Pam and I would play "pool party" with our headless Barbies<i> (their hair would get weird if it got wet!)</i> while using my mother's roasting pan as an above-ground pool - all that remains are scattered stones, random trash and thick dense weeds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Memories flooded over me with every step I took. The front porch, the backdoor, the basement window, the yard....all triggered numerous and powerful memories spanning the decades. The celebrations, the barbecues, the illnesses, the parties, the friends, the fights, the car-washing, the frisbie and jart games, the many beloved pets, the Mother's Days and Father's Days...on and on and on. But it wasn't until I actually touched the house to peer through a dirty window into the living room that I felt overwhelmed. That beautiful glazed white brick fireplace with the huge mirror over it was still there. This was where our Easter baskets were filled, where our stockings were hung, where I posed with my Peter Max puzzle on my 8th birthday, where Dad displayed his panther statue and where Mom decorated each Christmas with the same Santa doll and flocked red and green reindeer.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rbUJ4C0HotM/U-01nPAoXkI/AAAAAAAABPc/iH_UMekBFVM/s1600/house1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rbUJ4C0HotM/U-01nPAoXkI/AAAAAAAABPc/iH_UMekBFVM/s1600/house1.jpg" height="289" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Do you remember me, 2828? My heart beat within you for so many years. You were with me when I cried alone in my room as a teenager, when I laughed and played with my friends as a tween, when I disappointed my parents and when I made them proud, when I sat on the stairs as a child -gazing into the mirror on the landing- pretending to be a movie star acting out a dramatic scene. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-amtE_rAgF1o/U-0191k3_0I/AAAAAAAABPk/RKLO3uLEkWA/s1600/house2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-amtE_rAgF1o/U-0191k3_0I/AAAAAAAABPk/RKLO3uLEkWA/s1600/house2.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You know my secrets. You knew all of my cats. You had real plastered walls, archways and ceilings. Heavy wooden doors with glass knobs. A cubby for an old-fashioned phone. A built-in milk box and swinging doors. From Roxi's flowered room with the canopy bed where we would talk for hours and cry over "Born Free" to the laundry room in the far corner of the basement where I was always afraid to go alone...I loved you. You not only provided my parents with many ways to spend their hard-earned money, you also gave them a great place to raise their family and spend their precious leisure time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As I clutched a souvenir flagstone in my arms - we headed back over to the house of my life-long friend where I would soon put the finishing touches on her Family Tree by adding a couple of little red birds to the heart-shaped trunk. So it is here - in the middle of our 5th decade that we are both looking to the past and to who we were and are. Rejoicing in the value that our lives have had. Reflecting upon the people and even the places that have made us who we are. Being comfortable with our years. Embracing the past, reveling in the present and accepting the future. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BWlbDdznsYs/U-0zxOrUerI/AAAAAAAABPM/FnhqQDmVjf8/s1600/tree13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BWlbDdznsYs/U-0zxOrUerI/AAAAAAAABPM/FnhqQDmVjf8/s1600/tree13.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Namaste</span>thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-1675277918584629862014-03-21T17:39:00.002-04:002014-03-21T17:58:28.445-04:00Eight Days in ParadOZ!<h2 style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eight Days In ParadOZ</span></h2>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Riding to the airport</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">On ice-covered roads</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Where the trees and snow</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Look like UPC codes</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In a white metal tube</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I took to the sky</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And dreamt of a rainbow</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Where bluebirds could fly</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What I found was amazing</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A land of <span style="font-size: large;">Oz</span> to the south</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A <span style="font-size: large;">Paradise</span> of sunshine</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">That put a smile in my mouth</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHHm0jgpuH8/UyyrWYMFuHI/AAAAAAAABNI/XloXlSGNUy4/s1600/flathappy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHHm0jgpuH8/UyyrWYMFuHI/AAAAAAAABNI/XloXlSGNUy4/s1600/flathappy.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaceful Artist!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the first time in 12 years - I took more than three vacation days in a row from both my day and evening jobs - and escaped to Florida to spend a week with my sister, Roxi, who now lives there with her husband, David. Arriving at the airport on March 2nd, I felt as if I were Dorothy, slowly opening the door of her transported home to find she was in a strange sensory-overload world! </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The palette, the fragrance, the overall Vitamin D-rich attitude of the place was so alien from the Polar Vortex world I had left behind. Florida escaped the horrible winter that relentlessly stalked most of the United States - so everything was ripe and verdant. I unplugged myself from snow, work and stress for 8 days and returned home feeling refreshed with a demeanor scrubbed clean by sunshine and total relaxation.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While there, my sister, who is also an artist, and I created a special piece that we donated to the local Humane Society (The Humane Society of Manatee County) </span><a href="http://www.humanemanatee.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.humanemanatee.org/#</span></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to be used as a tropical-themed backdrop for photos of animals seeking adoption to loving homes. Here I am posed in front of it </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(No, I am not up for adoption!!)</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIc_B9wWLYg/UyyvZfn83kI/AAAAAAAABNU/tSsiltECNpI/s1600/beachnita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIc_B9wWLYg/UyyvZfn83kI/AAAAAAAABNU/tSsiltECNpI/s1600/beachnita.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and here is GIZMO!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83-f9RJLqZo/UyyvhYmuWbI/AAAAAAAABNc/JQhVc61dY44/s1600/catadoptgizmo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83-f9RJLqZo/UyyvhYmuWbI/AAAAAAAABNc/JQhVc61dY44/s1600/catadoptgizmo.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a handsome kitty! My sister volunteers at the HSMC as a "cat cuddler" and the folks there were so very appreciative of our little gift. I sure hope it helps these fantastic animals find great homes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So, Foamfriends is back home and READY for SPRING!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vx8yKXOOgeQ/Uyy13QJnlTI/AAAAAAAABN0/QKY79iDzLEg/s1600/catwindow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vx8yKXOOgeQ/Uyy13QJnlTI/AAAAAAAABN0/QKY79iDzLEg/s1600/catwindow.jpg" height="320" width="182" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OFIStZKFQU/Uyy1u8pJRsI/AAAAAAAABNs/BZKcSAmfnms/s1600/catsill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OFIStZKFQU/Uyy1u8pJRsI/AAAAAAAABNs/BZKcSAmfnms/s1600/catsill.jpg" height="320" width="119" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Soon it will be time to take down those unique FOAMFRIENDS window panels - made to fit right inside your window frames and painted to look from the outside as if the blinds were pulled half way down and a kitty is perched on the sill to gaze out into the world while keeping your house cozy and heating bills low. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">What? You don't know about these??!!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Time to email Nita at <a href="mailto:foamfriends4u@gmail.com">foamfriends4u</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">@gmail.com</a> and find out MORE!!</span></span></div>
thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-10981380868666884312014-01-11T11:49:00.001-05:002014-01-11T11:49:47.667-05:00TO THE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE OF REO TOWN
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">I just delivered a very special commissioned piece that
is both a tribute to the legacy of R.E. Olds in Lansing and to the renowned Michigan
artist, Tony Hendrick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.tonyhendrick.com/styled/styled-2/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://www.tonyhendrick.com/styled/styled-2/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">I first met Mr. Hendrick at his very successful 2010 gallery
showing at Art Alley in Reo Town but, unbeknownst to me at the time, I had
already been introduced to his art through the huge REO mural on Washington
Avenue that was commissioned as part of the R.E. Olds Centennial Celebration and
was unveiled in November of 2003. (See excerpt below from CITY PULSE: 01-14-04)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BA_Vb7a_OH8NGYn9YADJ33T2ejWu1w9zDEte9WLZTlok9GVNCvr5-fCKNLNLJFcY-dmvRbv8-XD4_zTo70PyxLEDAxJamskB8ek3QmT2YmYWwRrbdyOJrLWepbK02xxKRhxJeH8bS0Q/s1600/Hendrick+Mural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BA_Vb7a_OH8NGYn9YADJ33T2ejWu1w9zDEte9WLZTlok9GVNCvr5-fCKNLNLJFcY-dmvRbv8-XD4_zTo70PyxLEDAxJamskB8ek3QmT2YmYWwRrbdyOJrLWepbK02xxKRhxJeH8bS0Q/s1600/Hendrick+Mural.jpg" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><em>“Among the proudest achievements of the centennial
organizers…, is the commissioning of an enormous public mural depicting the old
Reo factory, unveiled last November. In keeping with the open-eyed historicism
of Reo Town, the mural makes a dramatic, surprisingly ambiguous statement as it
stretches across the old Diamond Reo showroom on South Washington (now the
Quality Dairy dispatch building).<br />
<br />
At first glance, the mural vibrates colorfully like a confetti-and-lacquer
Chamber of Commerce idyll. Dominating the frame, in bright colors and forced
perspective, is the Reo factory’s elegant administration building, decked out
in crisp red-and-white awnings. Two figures, representing the “square-deal”
bargain between management and labor for which the factory was famous, stand
folksily at eye level.<br />
<br />
Upon closer inspection, however, layers of deeper meaning ooze from the
surface. Just behind the cheery facade, in a murky perspective of brown and
grey, the “Reo” logo looms in an ominous reverse image. To the left, an
enormous plume of industrial effluent blossoms over the scene like a mushroom
cloud. Given such surroundings, the shaky bond between the two men — the only
figures in the mural — takes on great weight and poignancy. All in all, the
mural captures both the rosy nostalgia and gritty reality of life in the shadow
of the factory gates.”<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Unfortunately, the canvas mural was vandalized and
eventually had to be taken down, but after some loving restoration and a new coat of
varnish, it was recently put on display inside Lansing’s REO Museum.
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zt0p3pZ5mo/UtF1v5nmhjI/AAAAAAAABMs/u0Emx_8huF4/s1600/Reo+Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zt0p3pZ5mo/UtF1v5nmhjI/AAAAAAAABMs/u0Emx_8huF4/s1600/Reo+Museum.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Luckily, Mr. James Neal, Historian for the REO Club of America, had the
presence of mind to salvage the pieces of the mural canvas that were
safe-guarded from the weather, vandalism and fading by being under the frame
and commissioned me to create a piece of FOAM art that would incorporate the
fragments of Mr. Hendrick’s piece. Wanting to pay tribute to both the history
of REO in Lansing and to the talents of fellow Michigan artist, Mr. Hendrick, I
created “REO Mosaic.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_rMGMGeA8Y/UtF1-1h5FxI/AAAAAAAABM0/qrhZHmaYvR4/s1600/REO+Mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_rMGMGeA8Y/UtF1-1h5FxI/AAAAAAAABM0/qrhZHmaYvR4/s1600/REO+Mosaic.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you Mr. Neal and Mr. Hendrick for allowing me
this privilege.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
</div>
thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-75191679267666162642014-01-02T18:04:00.001-05:002014-01-02T18:06:27.863-05:00"Akron is NOT in the NORTH!"Here at the start of 2014 I have come to the realization that I have raised a climatically-conditional snob! Believing, as Calvin's father does, that cold weather, does indeed, build character...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSR15OzadA4/UsXuWQoaDhI/AAAAAAAABMI/VdUd7HyIKAk/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSR15OzadA4/UsXuWQoaDhI/AAAAAAAABMI/VdUd7HyIKAk/s400/Untitled.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
my son has taken issue with the recent car commercial featuring a Santaesque salesman who, when asked about where he goes up north, kindly and matter-of-factly replies, "Akron". To that my son vehemently responds to the television, "Akron is NOT in the NORTH. Michigan is The North!"<br />
To honor his dedication to The North and the State of Michigan and to present my mother with a keepsake gift this Christmas, I took inspiration from an old map I found up at the cottage of Houghton Lake and translated it through Foam.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50qBr-Qc6L4/UsXwS5wVFmI/AAAAAAAABMU/uclWUTnIVWc/s1600/lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50qBr-Qc6L4/UsXwS5wVFmI/AAAAAAAABMU/uclWUTnIVWc/s400/lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The finished piece is 12"x12" and fits nicely into a collectible t-shirt frame. I can't wait to present it to my mom, who still lives in the cottage on the East Bay of Houghton Lake (the REAL NORTH!) that her father and mother built by hand in the 1940's, but the weather and distance have kept us apart this Holiday Season. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
To you and yours...a very HAPPY and SAFE NEW YEAR!!</div>
thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-73693031408834241302013-12-30T18:07:00.001-05:002013-12-30T18:07:35.611-05:00A light from the shadows shall springIt is not often that we are provided with an opportunity to "see" the world in which we live from a different perspective. But just such an opportunity was recently provided to the inhabitants of my hometown - Lansing - when the electrical power, on which we so humbly depend, was removed from our lives. Some took it in stride. Others, like myself, did not. You see, my art which is my therapy and passion, requires electricity. Unable to finish the projects I had recently started - I donned my headlamp and turned instead to reading aloud - another one of my passions - from a wonderful book on Great Stories of Shipwrecks and Survival in the Great Lakes. With the power restored after 108 hours - I returned to my basement studio and put the finishing touches on my latest commission.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGjwVriCj3M/UsH7BORzblI/AAAAAAAABJg/W1TiYfr4K8M/s1600/hobbit+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGjwVriCj3M/UsH7BORzblI/AAAAAAAABJg/W1TiYfr4K8M/s200/hobbit+door.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A comfortable place!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-44187829336066708382013-12-12T17:14:00.000-05:002013-12-12T17:14:11.460-05:00Dangerous Business<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” <br /><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">― </span></em></span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/656983.J_R_R_Tolkien"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>J.R.R. Tolkien</em></span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></em><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3462456"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Lord of the Rings</span></em></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uVbXP8tsK0/Uqovo8JLMaI/AAAAAAAABJU/912Dpkz3DFk/s1600/001a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uVbXP8tsK0/Uqovo8JLMaI/AAAAAAAABJU/912Dpkz3DFk/s320/001a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.<br /> Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell,<br /> nor yet a dry, bare sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat:<br /> it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/656983.J_R_R_Tolkien"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">J.R.R. Tolkien</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3462456">The Lord of the Rings</a></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ahhhh, comfort. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Hard to find when the temperatures barely register on the thermometer even during the peak of the day. But as the Holidays approach we are warmed by the memories of what was and the anticipation of what will be. How I long for the sound of the backdoor at my childhood home on Stockman Court. To hear once again the stomping of neighbors and family as they clomp about in the doorway to remove a layer of snow from their hefty boots. Calling out welcomes as they shake off the cold and enter the kitchen where the smells of the morning's Christmas feast still linger mixed with the fragrance of the delicious meal yet to come. Gifts piled high about the pine, stocking gifts scattered about, traditional songs on the stereo...smiles and stories and sharing and...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">love.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It is a time to remember. A time to dream. A time to enjoy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A time to give.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Dream awhile with me and imagine giving THAT gift. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">That unique, one-of-a-kind, custom made gift.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I can help you be the "Gift Whisperer" this Holiday</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">or anytime!!</span></div>
thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-6632357231156912542013-12-09T18:18:00.000-05:002013-12-09T18:18:00.536-05:00To Your Pride Be True!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Winter Solstice may still be a few days off, but the Holly Way backyard is already dressed for the Holiday Season. The temperatures are frigid but the beautiful cardinals, frisky little red squirrels, playful fox and grey squirrels, charming little birdies and the majestic and fearsome red-tailed hawk, provide us, and our house-bound cats - Kadashan and Chester, with much to enjoy.</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mHVyUzKT8a0/UqZPNImvStI/AAAAAAAABIg/UOG58hIClTg/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mHVyUzKT8a0/UqZPNImvStI/AAAAAAAABIg/UOG58hIClTg/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GOebHjsMtkA/UqZPP1tHv_I/AAAAAAAABIo/r9tbVltn298/s1600/unnameda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GOebHjsMtkA/UqZPP1tHv_I/AAAAAAAABIo/r9tbVltn298/s1600/unnameda.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The castle wall provided a nice perch from which to hunt this afternoon for the hawk and the Temple of Kurgok, in its blanket of white, makes us dream of other worlds. The new coat-of-arms crest is in place above the drawbridge paying homage to the late Olaf Skullcrusher, Jackson's tree (aka cat scratching post), and our ever-present kitties. The words below the crest - written in Gaelic - are "To Your Pride Be True". Since it's too cold to play outside - I've been down in my studio creating some new pieces. Check them out in the gallery and think about how you could be a Gift Whisperer!!</span></div>
thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-34488335925834932052013-11-19T18:09:00.003-05:002013-11-19T18:09:59.609-05:00MOTHER NATURE vs. THE FOAMGINEER<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time...Mother Nature lost. She sent some pretty powerful wind gusts through the area which bent over the old pine tree in the neighbors yard and relocated some trash bins, but the Foam Castle survived. Thanks to my Foamgineer - all is well!!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wVlkF7Efwqg/UovvltKpYBI/AAAAAAAABIQ/rcPRmNaLQO0/s1600/014a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wVlkF7Efwqg/UovvltKpYBI/AAAAAAAABIQ/rcPRmNaLQO0/s320/014a.jpg" width="260" /></a></span></div>
<br />thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-4087751837549543452013-11-12T16:48:00.001-05:002013-11-16T11:00:47.645-05:00Think - Out of the House<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes! FoamFriends love to be out-of-doors and because they are made of a material that will still be here when the cockroaches inherit the Earth - they are very resilient. The colors do not fade and because they are so lightweight they can be easily attached to most surfaces with foam adhesive (the kind in the tube from places like Home Depot). The Kennedy homestead is full of foam art (surprise!!) and on the outside there are several pieces displayed year-round. My favorite is the piece entitled, Styroglyphics, which depicts our family and pets as if they were painted on the wall of an Egyptian palace. This has hung on the back patio of our house for over 4 years and still looks as good as it did the day we hung it there.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-jBCmrF2wKrt0ggc_D5U5YfaGuzEjueYWPmboRPcRpBezqAJhcY8Q8rTnHRgXgzc1M1Kp5JM0WOhiMehSvkFPPfAL5kr_4B1P9PN2TdILers0QtIkzzdmZ_lYqP2CxsxxYtJEFSC-sU/s1600/EQYPT+TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-jBCmrF2wKrt0ggc_D5U5YfaGuzEjueYWPmboRPcRpBezqAJhcY8Q8rTnHRgXgzc1M1Kp5JM0WOhiMehSvkFPPfAL5kr_4B1P9PN2TdILers0QtIkzzdmZ_lYqP2CxsxxYtJEFSC-sU/s1600/EQYPT+TOP.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two of the other pieces are the Kennedy crest and the Tree of Life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DXVFNCIfIQ/UoKhN2Zn48I/AAAAAAAABG0/98r2-5fXMF8/s1600/Kennedy+Crest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DXVFNCIfIQ/UoKhN2Zn48I/AAAAAAAABG0/98r2-5fXMF8/s1600/Kennedy+Crest.jpg" width="183" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkXrXKG6oUs/UoKhIiYNFlI/AAAAAAAABGs/4sL-7FNnqtk/s1600/big+tree+foam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkXrXKG6oUs/UoKhIiYNFlI/AAAAAAAABGs/4sL-7FNnqtk/s1600/big+tree+foam.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last piece is free-standing (with a gallon of water as an inside weight) and serves as the Castle Keep for the Kennedy front door. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Don't just Think Out of the Box - </strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Think Out of the House!!!</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TzIT7_IhmN4/UoKhnGuS1OI/AAAAAAAABG8/HlqUQ5ppooE/s1600/DSC_0429a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TzIT7_IhmN4/UoKhnGuS1OI/AAAAAAAABG8/HlqUQ5ppooE/s1600/DSC_0429a.jpg" width="143" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-79804999096236607932013-11-11T18:02:00.003-05:002013-11-11T18:02:45.753-05:00The Kennedy Keep<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My muse, my mentor...my co-designer and the foam engineer, Jeffrey, and I have been working the last few weeks on a 24' long - over 4' high castle wall for the backyard. It's been so much fun just talking about it, then planning it, then creating it and now just looking at it and planning what more we can do! The castle will eventually have a drawbridge and perhaps a little village with an outer wall - just like the real thing!! The cats are confused and Chester, the hunter, is a bit frustrated as he can no longer stalk the mole, mouse and red squirrel "highway" that exists behind the newly installed wall. How nice it will be to watch the seasons unfold around our Kennedy Keep.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xv2DEzucq3Q/UoFiB-663KI/AAAAAAAABGQ/S9NMuqedjs0/s1600/castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xv2DEzucq3Q/UoFiB-663KI/AAAAAAAABGQ/S9NMuqedjs0/s320/castle.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860932954242932221.post-91739825258623595312013-11-11T17:47:00.004-05:002013-11-11T17:47:57.849-05:00I am a Woman in the Arts!!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am pleased to announce that the 28th Annual Women in the Arts Festival was a great success! This marks my third year as a member of both the Planning Committee and the Artist Market and my second year as the official MC for the Friday Night and Saturday Day Stage. I am always inspired by the other women artists, musicians and poets and this year was no exception. One of my favorite things about showing my work in the Artist Market is how surprised people are to find out that my creations are made from everyday pink Styrofoam!! When someone is "fooled" by my faux surfaces - it is always a treat! Here's a link to the WITA Festival site so you can see what you missed and I will be sure to keep you informed about next year's festival.</span> <a href="http://witafestival.com/" target="_blank">http://witafestival.com/</a>thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01312141425602760240noreply@blogger.com1