June 25, 2005
Day 6 - Reflections
Daily Reflections - Highs/Lows - Jun 25, 2005
- Today's Highs
- Waking up this morning to find that a fellow stumbler, Once, had written a sonnet for me:
"A Sonnet for Kayrn" The image is not clear, perhaps in red;
But wait! the color's not the object; eyes
Will seek the bevelled edges, never centered, rhines
Not flesh in fruits attract, and then are meant
To be discarded; hunger in the lips and tongue, abusing patience drain
All substance, still remain the pastel skins,
the porous membrane walls;
The iris of the eye withdraws allowing all
that's subtle free to fall
Upon the optic nerve, the occult guise,
descreetly recessed platforms for the trains
That, bound for memories' glories in the seats of mind, no longer are
At play in what should now occur when lightest violet, azure-dark
Perceptions' concerts cornered and corralled become the captured lark
Or mother robin's bluest egg,
the scarlet-sandaled nightbird from afar!
Collage of edges, husks, the stubble, shy remainders, faded outcasts
Of the primal colors humbled, not the first today,
but carried on to victory at last!
- Coming across even more ephemeral treasures at bargain prices to use in my art projects. Today's finds include some old music books (My Favorite Mountain Ballads and Old-Time Songs ©1928 by Bradley Kincaid; School For the Pianoforte by Theo Presser ©1929; Playthings For the Piano by Mary Ruth Jesse ©1939), vintage flash cards, playing cards and other game cards, and a variety of vintage mechanics magazines and other publications.
- Today's Lows
I can't think of a single low point of my day. All is well.
Motor Services1937
The Daily Reflections Highs/Lows is an idea that originated with a fellow stumbler, Potter00, who believes that in this particular period in time when much is right in the world, it is important to try to focus on the good things in life. Reflecting on the day and picking out the high points and low points is a game her grandmother played with her and her sister. Potter has invited stumblers to join her in recording their daily highs and lows. There is just one rule -- the highs must always be equal to or greater than the number of lows recorded. That's it!
June 24, 2005
Day 5 - Reflections
Daily Reflections - Jun 24, 2005
- Today's Highs
- Discovering a new shop that specializes in antique/vintage americana. The place just opened and the best part is it is really close to my house. It's already on my list of favorites for obtaining "found papers" and "found objects" to use for my art projects. I got some great bargains on some really good stuff today. My favorite is a publication of J B Lippincott's Monthly Magazine - June 1890. It includes a novel, Circumstantial Evidence, and several pages of advertisements (see images below). All perfect for my collages and altered books.
Other items purchased:
- Found Papers
- Craftworks - 1956
- Small, very old leather-bound copy of the poem, Bitter-Sweet, from abt 1900.
- Another small book, a romance, House of the Wolf, no publication date but a dated inscription on the inside cover - Sep 21st, 1900
- Caspar's Guide and Map of the City of Milwaukee - 1912
- (2) Black Diamond String envelopes (for banjos?)
- Advertisement card for Ismert-Hincke Milling Co, Kansas City, USA - includes complimentary sewing needles inside
- Deck of vintage playing cards (prob. 1950's)
- A greeting card booklet containing recipes and poetry - Through the Kitchen Door, 1977
- The Royal Box, a novel by Frances Parkinson Keyes - 1954 (perfect for altering)
- Found Objects
- 6 antique keys
- 3 prs of vintage costume jewelry earrings, which I have already disassembled
- 2 different styles of vintage crochet trims (sewing embellishments)
- Craftworks - 1956
- Meeting the proprietor of the new shop and being invited to show/sell my art there.
- Today's Lows
- Sleeping in too late and totally throwing my schedule off.
Sample ads from Lippincott's Monthly Magazine (1890):
A page from the 1956 publication, Craftworks:
June 23, 2005
Days 3 & 4 - Reflections
Daily Reflections - Jun 22-23, 2005
- Highs
- Being told I am a "model patient." Amazing considering it was barely a year ago that I was petrified of needles, doctors and hospitals and would go to extreme lengths to avoid all of them.
- Finding out that I don't have to see either the medical or radiation oncologists again until NOVEMBER! That is FIVE months away!
- Seeing the staff members and other guests who, like me, are "regulars" at the Marriott Downtown Orlando. They have become like family in the past year and it is always good to see them again.
- Visiting my aunt in the hospital in Orlando and making her laugh. She wasn't having one of her better days when hubby and I got there. She looked pretty pale when we first walked in, but once the conversations were going I could see the color returning to her face. She had a lot to talk about and before we knew it we had spent a few hours with her. When we were about to leave she gave us big hugs and told us we had picked her up when she was feeling sad. I left her an assortment of chemo headwear (turbans, scarves, bandanas, etc) that I won't be needing anymore and she does. She was delighted to get them, although, unlike me, she doesn't mind having her bald head uncovered. It feels good to be the one giving support to someone else for a change instead of always being on the receiving end.
- Lows
- Getting pummeled with rain on the drive down to Orlando, while we were there and again on the way back.
- Traveling with an upset stomach for most of the four hour trip home.
June 21, 2005
Day 2 - Reflections
Day 2 - Daily Reflections - June 21, 2005
- Today's Highs
- Locating the oncologist's order and getting that mammogram scheduled. Bi-lateral, diagnostic with ultrasound if needed. First priority on the "to do" list checked off. Yay! Next ...
- Meeting my aunt, my cousin and her daughter for a lovely brunch at a quaint little restaurant called the "Broken Egg Cafe" this morning. We were seated at a table in front of an enormous glass window and a fabulous view of a lake. The food was scrumptious. I chose the "Oh, Ricky!" for my menu selection -- a spanish omelet with avacado, onion, and mixed cheeses with salsa on the side. Everything was just right -- the "girl time," the atmosphere, the scenery, the food and the coffee. Truly a picture perfect morning.
- Seeing Aunt Ava smile when she looked at the birthday card I made for her. She carefully studied each part of the collage and immediately understood its symbolic representation. She told me she is going to frame it. Wow!
- Today's Lows
- Realizing that my habit of procrastination is out of control. It's time to load the car for the trip to Orlando and I am not yet finished packing. Oops.
- Today's Mixed Highs/Lows
- Going for check-ups with the doctors in Orlando. I'm happy to be seeing the doctors; I never tire of hearing the oncologist tell me how well I am doing. It's the four hour drive to get there I dread. I envy those travelers who can doze off in the car and not wake up until they've reached their destination. Of course I mean the passengers and not the drivers! And it's not that hubby isn't a good traveling companion. He's the best. It's just that it is a long drive that we've made so many times over the past year that we could probably drive it blindfolded. (I promise not to put it to a test.)
Note to self: keep a notebook with me and jot down my daily reflection highs/lows while I'm gone. Yeah ... that'll work! I'll catch up the blog when I get back.
June 20, 2005
Day 1 - Reflections - June 20, 2005
This is my official first entry of my daily high/low reflections. It's an idea that originated with a fellow stumbler, who believes that in this particular period in time when so much is not right in the world it is important to "focus on the good things in life." I share her sentiments and agree whole-heartedly.
- Todays Highs:
- Finally finishing the collage art project that I intend to give to Aunt Ava tomorrow for her birthday.
- Browsing the pages of the baby book that my mother started for me before I was even born. It begins with a documentation of the timing of her labor contractions. I was looking for material to use for my collage, and chose the page containing a notation that my aunt's name, "Ava," mispronounced as "Ave," then later "Ada," was among my first spoken words.
- Having my wonderful hubby help with the laundry and dinner this evening. With the exception of the bed linens and towels, everything is washed, dried, folded/hung up and put away. The pizza was cold by the time I got around to eating it. Just the way I like it!
- Today's Lows:
- Making a huge mess with my art project and then leaving it until I was drop dead tired before getting around to cleaning it up.
- Being a space cadette. I forgot to clean the turtle tank.
- Procrastinating about packing for the trip to Orlando tomorrow. It's almost midnight and I haven't even started. I have a brunch date in the morning before we leave, so I can't do it then. So much to do, so little time -- and here I sit. *sigh*
Collage Art Greeting Card: Hand in Hand
June 07, 2005
Barbara Edwards Photography
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Barbara Edwards was my photography instructor at Tallahassee Community College. I have long since been an admirer of her work. She specializes in hand-colored photography, but her B&W photos offer a unique perspective. Enjoy the world through the artistic lense of Barbara Edwards |
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June 06, 2005
Ribbon Magnets
Please can someone explain to me how driving around with these made in china ribbon magnets supports the troops? If someone really wants to support the troops they can send them care packages filled with needed items; or better yet ... contact the congress critters and tell them to BRING OUR TROOPS HOME!
Ok, maybe the language is a little potty-mouthed, but this drawing by Natalie Dee pretty much sums up my sentiments on the topic.
Poster Girl for Women's Health Issues
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the USA. Cancer is the second. I have experienced both in the past year and half. Don't even tell me the third!
Anyway, more to come on this topic later, but I wanted to explain why this blog hasn't been updated since almost forever. And NO, I am not trying to be the poster girl for women's health issues.
Meanwhile, here is an article I interviewed for in Feb 2004. It was published in the local paper as part of my city's participation in the "Women Wearing Red" campaign to promote women's heart disease awareness.