Clever Design

I'm loving these products from Peleg Design.

Crime Scene pot holder.

Hot man pot holder.

Magnetic Dots.

Magnetic Vases. (A small magnet sheet is placed under the tablecloth that holds the vases upright.)

Reflective Tic-Tac-Toe.

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The Fifth Grade Me

I was de-junking a box of old items I had stashed away and I found a book I made in fifth grade about myself. Every month my teacher would give us some form to fill out, and at the end of the year we had them bound. Some highlights:

1. On a page that asks our opinions on things:

      Pollution: "I don't even come close to liking it, it's icky."

      Stealing: "I have one word of advice, 'don't.' Although some peoples jobs depend on it, like lawyers, judges, police, T.V., and cable.

2. (A fill in the blank question) The touch of dead animals makes me sad.

Surprisingly, some parts were very insightful, and I think I'd answer them in the same (but maybe with a different vocabulary). The weirdest thing I found was a journal entry from the fourth grade where I talked about how the Church changed its logo and how I liked the old one better. Weird.

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Color Garden

I LOVE gardening, I never really realized until this summer. Wednesday has become my favorite day of the week because we get to irrigate (this means: playing in the mud, but not being immature). I really, really, really, love it. This year has been great because the raspberry plants are old enough to bare raspberries, lots of them (this means: raspberries and milk for breakfast). 

I've always had a desire to grab one of each paint swatch while I'm at the store. The other day I finally asked. I felt like it was such a bad thing to ask for. He said yes and, "They are ALWAYS sending me those things, take as many as you want." I did. I haven't decided what to do with them, but I have some good ideas.

My garden is more vibrant than the paint swatches. They don't have a color even close to the color of our raspberries, so I made one up in the tradition of Dutch Boy paint names (this means: lame). (Who names these things anyhow? Some of my favorites: "Pink Positive," "Wow Power," "So Mature," "Hootenanny Green," "Sweet Dream Sweetie," and "Sweet-alious.")

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Colorforms

Lise Nelson and I used to spend hours playing with colorforms. Our favorite place to play? The mirror in the bathroom. These must have been my favorite childhood toy. They are so simple. I love that.

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Wisdom

Ultimately, you can not control people by fear. Because their ultimate, ultimate essence is constantly craving dignity. Wole Soyinka

Your best work is your expression of yourself. Now, you may not be the greatest at it; but when you do it, you're the only expert in it. Frank Ghery

Love something. I think we've got to love something deeply. I think its love. Sounds sentimental as hell, but I really think it is. Andrew Wyeth

All of these quotes and pictures are from Andrew Zuckerman's book Wisdom. (Which I'm coveting.) These three quotes all related so well to things that I'm learning right now. 

I've been thinking a lot about Alta (who is now 91), our landlady/friend, who called me upstairs yesterday because she is afraid she is falling apart. She is so worried about losing her ability to take care of herself, because with it she loses all freedom. I was thinking about grandma Vivi, how much she loved the walk we took her on and how hard it must be to lose dignity. Then I realized something, I don't think either one of these ladies have lost any dignity, their bodies are falling apart, but if we could see the contents of the lessons they've learned, we would realize they are more knowledgeable, beautiful and dignified than most.

Right now, I'm trying to find out what my artistic style is. I've always had one, innately. But as its changing and developing, I feel like I'm losing touch of the essence of it. Its so comforting to think that I create for myself.

As for love, I always knew this, but I've been taught the lesson all over again in the last few months. The answer is love. Not only loving, but realizing that you are loved.

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Faded Paper Figures Album Release

Some of my favorite things include: John's Lyrics (lines like "When you come in you're my only income"), Heather's subtle vocals, and whatever Kael does to make rhythms out of noises you never knew could by music. (Brooke's picture of the band is fabulous.) Listen to samples of their music here. If you like it, you can buy MP3s here.

Now we just have to wait for Becky's album release...

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