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bookstores. I have enjoyed the supreme contentment of being in bookstores since I was a very little girl. My mother would take us into Krochs & Brentanos or Brainard's Books, while shopping, and I could have spent the day there. I do realize that even writing that sentence, my privilege is obvious. Libraries are their own version of magic certainly.... but bookstores.... the beautiful covers all displayed on shelves and tables...comfy chairs...magazines! so many magazines I'd never seen in my life. Even the smell was pleasing. Oh the joy. Earlier this week I came across a Barnes & Noble and I guess I was surprised because I thought they were all gone...like the Borders of my younger days. I went in and was immediately transported to that B&N feeling of my youth. It was so good. I bought one book (applaud my restraint, people!) and looked at dozens. but the real reward was that feeling. 
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 Challenging things in life include me trying to navigate (successfully) converting my iPhone photos to jpgs after loading onto my little trusty rose gold MacBook Air.
These are certainly the moments I feel stupidest. The internet is handy for answering these questions however....I am prob not the most tech-savvy person you know. On Friday (Black Friday) I had the pleasure of working at my old place of employment with my old friends (who still work there in some capacity) and it was a blast!! We laughed a lot. After a full day, as I was leaving the west field, I saw this. It spoke to me. I thought about editing it to make it more about the sunflower and the sunsetting but left it as it was.... I kinda like the mishmosh Beauty is really every where. x Hello. it's been a long time since I posted... what the heck. Time keeps on ticking. Another fall is here. Life keeps surprising me and showing me gifts. Change is always happening. Barnwords has been evolving and changing throughout the past year or so. One new product I have are these beautiful handmade tags. These are actually cool little tags packaged up in packs of 11 and can be used as unique gift tags, as price tags (hey, small business owners- check it out),as bookmarks or tiny mail. little love notes... the possibilities are many.  youtu.be/jNVPalNZD_I
Every few months... or years...I revisit this video.It is probably my favorite video ever. It is so beautifully and artfully crafted. enjoy. Im in Fall mode these days. So much gorgeousness along with the tired. this is the third morning Ive awoken without The Routine. On Thursday my beloved companion, my at home sidekick, my sweet plopper died. I feel a big figgy shaped hole in my life, but especially in the mornings. Figgy loved waking me up every morning and instinctively knew the time thing. We had a whole routine. On Thursday while I was getting ready for work I heard extremely loud cries from downstairs...they were not really normal, although Figgy could get very vocal while 'playing' with his sister. When I came down I found him totally stressed out laying on the floor screaming (in pain...although I didn't realize it was pain at first). His back legs appeared to be NOT working. I thought Did he break his back?? He tried desperately to pull himself to the next room and I called the vet who naturally wasn't open yet. They have a message about who to call in emergency so I called. She said come now. It was THE most uncomfortable 39 minute drive I can remember. Figs screaming the whole way. I didn't even bother with the carrier...just wrapped him in a blanket which he didn't stay in anyway. Turns out he had experienced the equivalent of a stroke in humans...'saddle thrombus' is the tech term. He was 8 years old (kinda guessing...we adopted him as a feral kitten) A blood clot broke loose and lodged in the base of his spine causing extreme pain and complete paralysis, no blood flow. ( my god, who knew these sorts of things happened? honestly Ive been lucky with my cats I guess). My choices were dismal... like none. Try and 'fix' it? - Weeklong hospital stay, painful condition, need constant care and monitoring at home, many cats die during the process, good chance of reoccurrence, AND the clincher- average life span after this saddle thrombus? 77 days. That's NO life for Figgy. My decision was easy in a tough situation. So the very kind and compassionate vet and her staff helped end his life as I petted him. It was the easiest part of the whole traumatic morning to be honest. Now I miss him. all the time but especially in the morning.  Hi friends. Hope everyone is feeling good.
For some reason, I cant upload my photos on to my computer from my new phone. which of course is my camera. It seems as though my computer is too old. :( kinda feeling THAT). Anyway I am working on fixing this issue. Until then... I will just say IF you are looking for anything I make, contact me. I am making stuff. Also SO MUCH SNOW and BEAUTY. Happy February. I'll be honest, this xmas cant be over soon enough. But I've been liking some things. I like the frosty designs on my window. I like the abundance of houseplants i have this year. I like these biscuits very much. I like the family chat. I like noticing the garden daily, in it's winter glory. I like the new barnwords i've been making. They were born from OLD signs i never can sell, from years ago, and i just sanded them a bit and painted over them. You can see remnants of the old signs underneath.(but i love that) Is that double recycling??
 everyday i see artTotally inspired by Encounters Art blog post called Top Ten Art Moments of 2020. I liked what she said about how art hasn't gone away this year, just the way we experience it may have changed. Here is MY list ....in no particular order..... Please check out hers as well. 1. NEVERMORE In March, right before Covid shut downs, i had the pleasure of seeing Hebru Brantley's absolute genius of an interactive, immersive and totally unique experience. Right here in Chicago, IL. It was like nothing I've seen before and I was invigorated and inspired. 2. PILSEN NEIGHBORHOOD Exploring the Pilsen area in Chicago is one of my top art moments. So many murals and gorgeous graffiti and art everywhere you look. Just walking around this neighborhood is something you should do. 3. MILLENIUM PARK PLANTINGS I actually experienced the new rooftop gardens in Millennium Park at a wonderful time of year- November. Since I am enthralled with seedheads and dying-back structures, this stuff made my heart swoon. Nature is king AND queen. Bonus: a good friend designed and installed these plantings. I feel proud. 4. VERTICAL GALLERY Garth and I discovered this gem when we went to see an exhibit of the amazing and talented Colin van der sluis work and we loved the friendliness and accessibility of it. Small (one room) gallery that we had all to ourselves, as we went late in the day. Walking around an art gallery makes me feel as if life is still normal. 5. ANDERSON JAPANESE GARDENS Located in Rockford, this is a beautiful and serene place. I need to go back again. The tea houses in the rocks/hills really intrigued me. 6. SMALLTIME63 Oh yes. An exhibit of 63 small canvases, somewhat representing my years on earth. This exhibit, although a work in progress,will be incredible when finished. Stay tuned cuz its on my porch. :) 7. THE SANDHILL CRANES On my way into work for many mornings, I had the privilege and extreme sensory pleasure of experiencing hundreds of Sandhill Cranes this Fall. Until one day they were gone. It's difficult to put into words how moving it was to see and hear. 8. OUTDOOR RIDES WITH SPIRITSPYN This art experience combined music, a moving workout, and beautiful views of summer in Evanston, IL. I loved riding outdoors with the breezes and summer heat. The outside energy was incredible. 9. STUDENT JURIED ART SHOW IN MILWAUKEE In February, Lynda and I went to see a student ( the best right?) art show at the college in MKE. It was all quite amazing, but one particular exhibit stood out to me, Beach Finds, where clear small tubes held things found on the beach and were all labeled creatively. 10. BOOKS I spent time this year with my books. Going through old ones, Re-shelving. Re-reading. Discovering. Enjoying. Books are a great art experience and really taking time with mine was incredibly satisfying. I also put plants on my bookshelves, for the first time! Very lovely.
I made these little ornaments on reclaimed cedar. They're Limited Edition, as they have '2020' on them. Send them to your friends, fam, neighbors you used to have over, anybody really. They are 1.5" x 3" and come in the cutest little bag. With a note. (I can ship them directly to your people with a note from you too). They are $10.00 each. Simple. and say all they need to say. Miss you.    HELLO FRIENDS! I cant believe it. My plan was to post regularly. Meaning, ambitiously-once a week, realistically- once a month. Or I guess more realistically... like every.... 7 months. :( So. Here we are in FALL. Beautiful sad dismal stunning scented lighted gorgeous Fall. I'm so tired in the Fall. My body has always been extremely in tune with seasonal changes. What's new? I miss traveling and planning travel. I miss hugging my friends and my kids. I don't mind wearing a mask in public places. It's actually so smart. And I've always been a frequent hand-washer. Barnwords won't be in any shows this Fall because they're cancelled. But I will have a set up at the wonderful Northwind Perennial Farm again this year! That is EXCITING. Last year, dear Colleen was kind to ask me and this year I am totally psyched for it. Please go to Northwind in southern WI when they open for Xmas and look at all the beauty that is there...plus Barnwords! Thanks a million!  |
