Diederich's Art Blog

Em and the Super Tang

2012-01-09T21:13:00.009-06:00

I guess I should of put this on the graphics blog, but I like it's grungy, artsy elements. The snake cactus/lava rock wall is south of Old Koloa town, near Nate and Bail's place...the tree in the background is a couple blocks east growing lonely in a field of nothing...

Mourning Glory

2011-06-01T13:18:00.004-05:00

I have it in my mind that I will be doing some plant drawings later this summer...here's a pic taken through glass of an old drawing. I guess this one really isn't a plant, but the Flint Hills flannel mullein I'm currently working on is composed of squid!

Art...or not???

2011-03-01T10:58:00.004-06:00

Can't decide whether this should be an 'art' or a 'craft'...paper mache can be both...this junk boat and the attempt at realism isn't artsy however...but I felt very creative when putting together all the details. Hmm.

Sea Bouquet

2011-01-04T20:49:00.003-06:00

Found an 'ocean' drawing I'd forgotten about... It goes along with one called Mourning Glory Bird...I'll have to scan that one in...

Squid.

2010-10-08T19:19:00.003-05:00

Naturally....
the pic that I said is NOT FOR SALE, is the one that someone wants to buy...

Columbian Theatre

2010-10-02T20:54:00.001-05:00

Don't know if anyone ever looks at this site or not....but I have art up at the Columbian Theatre in Wamego.

Crazy Bird and Snobbish Fish

2010-10-02T20:35:00.003-05:00

Carnaval w/ Llamas and Tapirs

2010-09-19T18:57:00.002-05:00

The Fish That Doesn't Like Water

2010-09-06T12:48:00.004-05:00

The Bird That Doesn't Like to Fly (or Fire?)

2010-09-06T12:43:00.004-05:00

Art Chandelier....

2010-07-14T12:54:00.004-05:00

If you can believe it, this wire basket will some day become a funky chandelier with glass beads and dangling crystals.
Some day...

You know it will be very cool, but it won't weigh 65 lbs like this one I found on the internet!

Animals Around the World

2010-05-24T18:39:00.004-05:00

Here is a small left-hand corner of an illustration--just a few little animals I'm playing around with--these don't have shading or all their colors and details yet. There should also be some 'earths' or 'the world' in the picture too...
I rather like my little jellyfish crab!

Moose Doll

2010-04-11T20:57:00.005-05:00

A little moose doll I made from painted muslin and recycled sweaters. It is jointed and can move it's arms and legs. A decent attempt...

Art of Sewing

2010-03-10T20:51:00.005-06:00

Featuring 4 pieces of art--handmade quilts: Bail's idea to create a puffin quilt, and all the grandmas' items: soft poofy, double-batted flannel, red-work embroidery, scrap fabric/yarn ocean.

Snow Up High=Moose Down Low.

2010-01-18T19:38:00.003-06:00

Bailey said they finally had some snow in Homer, so she made a pregnant snow angel. Well, the angel wasn't pregnant--hey, don't you usually lay down on your back??

Anyway, going up to a higher elevation made it possible for Nate to try snowboarding again; they'd snowboarded in KS during April last year--before they pulled out the next morning on their ALCAN drive. It's hard to believe I will be a grandma soon and I am so excited! However, Bail is beginning the heavy stage--baby is due Feb. 19th.

Art on the Floor!

2009-11-11T18:35:00.004-06:00

Bailey and Nate are redoing the floors in their cabin; this is one of the basement rooms that has a cement floor. I love the little frilly fishies that Bailey painted (koi) and the deep turquoise dye. I think she added more after these photos: (click for larger)

More Illus.

2009-10-15T08:19:00.003-05:00

Realized I hadn't posted the first pic of the donkey--here it is plus more. I chose a pelican as something that flies--since they seem world-wide or 'universal'.

Another pic...

2009-10-05T08:52:00.001-05:00

Next illustration....I sort of like the Pelican's braids!

Math Anxiety...

2009-09-30T08:47:00.002-05:00

a bit more on the donkey...

Dumb Donkey...

2009-09-25T15:33:00.004-05:00

just started...
Maybe I should put a farmer DIGGING A WELL in the background...!

Animals--INCOMPLETE.

2009-09-21T08:18:00.004-05:00

Don't know about this one....too many goofy things + realistic going on at one time?? What a terrible scanner.

A Bit of Art Humor...

2009-09-11T21:35:00.001-05:00

No Pain. Hey Texas Deb!

2009-09-03T21:27:00.007-05:00

Guess this doesn't have much to do with the 'art page', but maybe it does!
Since a friend of mine killed himself a few weeks ago due to his horrific back pain, I shall post my own summer's back pain relief: a handful of pills and 2 beers, usually at bedtime.
Of course I use the excuse of "collecting beer caps" as an artistic endeavor (I really DO use them and love them); this means I search the shelves for an elusive colorful cap and its getting to be a rather fun (nei painful habit) .

This summer when I was house-sitting, Texas Deb brought up a few different six-packs since the few that were already in the fridge were running low. Combined with Sandy's idea of using caps in a musical instrument, I added many to my collection. Many.
Then Cowboy Doug showed up, so I have even more, plus the local bar/steakhouse is saving them up 'for that lady with the hair'.
I watched a show on 'hoarding' last night--while I realize I am on the brink of this OCD, all the junk I save is used in art projects. 'Someday projects'.
Hey, Texas Deb! (Finally went into the new store last week and shopped--tell Monty 'good job'!)

Anyway: Out of too many kinds to google, I finally settled on the last 4 as my summer favorites. (Not that I've stopped 'researching' the topic, as my chiropractor says I need a neurosurgeon or the Mayo Clinic; I opted for acupuncture next!)
This is totally out of character for me. Somewhat.

Man in a Box. Men in a Box.

2009-08-24T20:48:00.006-05:00

I have so much junk around I don't know whats what...I opened up a box expecting to find some of my CD's--but found some dirty clay heads/hands that I sculpted when I was going through a doll phase. Heavy Judo dolls to be exact, all with hand-made wooden geta sandals and perfect little black belt white cotton pants/quilted gis. Maybe I would stick to my hobbies longer if I didn't put so much damn detail into everything I do and burn myself out!

My favorite head (blurry here) was heart-breakingly dropped onto the floor when completed: hear 'wettish splat', but I fired it anyway and it hangs high on the wall since he still was my favorite guy...
So, Dan, when you think of Man in the Box, at least it's not as crowded!

It's about time...

2009-08-20T20:12:00.003-05:00

that I turned on the laptop.
I think I needed an extended vacation from technology...
So this week I have started a kid's watercolor pic consisting of a crazed musical fish (that HATES water) playing some Chinese instruments. Fergus, the labradoodle puppy that I babysat for this summer is also in the mix...
Please realize this is very INCOMPLETE--! (and a botched scan!)

Tat Two

2009-06-20T19:36:00.004-05:00

Somewhere on Facebook, Brig managed to find some fine line creatures that Bail had painted on her and Nate's surfboards....and emailed them to Fine Line Tattoo in Topeka. Lying to his mother, him and friend Nick took a trip for an afternoon of adrenaline and pain and ended up with some body art. Mom glared at the white bandages with her most evilest of eye, until it was revealed that it least it wasn't some repetitive crap off Fine Line's wall. Whew...so glad it is ORIGINAL.

Vinny Luigi Achmed

2009-06-02T11:46:00.004-05:00

As we have a relatively ‘new’ guy visiting the gas station in the evenings, some of us have been making new friends—our rousing cheers of “Luigi!” “Vinny!” “Achmed!” are reminiscent of “Norm!” from Cheers. We call out these names when our new guy pulls up because we enjoy his one-liners, his type-tees, and have recognized an intelligent being in the midst of so many, um, oddballs. And to razz, yet welcome him at the same time! He reminds me in particular of ‘The Blaze’, a friend of mine from Long Island. I guess it’s the fast talk/accent.
When Vinnyluigiachmed dubbed Wamego ‘Cartoon Town’, we knew he was our soulmate. He’s moved here from Chickago, thus his first two nicknames; he also has a capped oilrig on some land he owns in Arkansas, thus the last nickname. I forgot that we started to call him ‘The Don’ until we discovered that he did indeed know 2 of the Chickago ‘Family’. Naturally we made up a quick tale of his motivation for leaving the Windy City… where else would one hide under the witness protection program? If he has to make a run for it, he could always steal Dorothy’s red heels and click them 3 times… (We are sometimes snide about that—everyone knows the tornado happened in WESTERN KS not Wamego.) Poor man—I’m sure VLA doesn’t know what to think about us, but we do enjoy his company and his wild bar stories of watching fellow pool players run out the door, cross the street, and beat a man to death. OH.
Vinnyluigiachmed has also met Messiah Man, who lives close by. Since VLA (really and truly) served in Vietnam (with the most horribly wounded battalion there yet was luckily hurt by none other than St. Christopher himself) I must warn him: NEVER MENTION VIETNAM to Messiah Man. World War III could erupt at the end of the street! (click on link)
So, “Cheers!” to VLA for (for giving me a nice compliment without being disgusting) recognizing the unusual diversity amongst the living Cartoons here-perhaps I will write on The Bearded Lady later—he’s almost HER neighbor! Shiver.

Blog Eval.

2009-05-24T10:16:00.002-05:00

As I learn here and there that people look at my blog (just found out that a KU student his ‘discovered’ it during a Columbian Artist meeting—hey, aren’t you the person that draws those jellyfish things? …I saw your site on-line…), I automatically think ‘yikes’ or “holy crap!’ while getting a kick out of it--and usually offer forth some type of explanation—like ‘Aah, well, I embellish!’

However, I should say ‘I CENSOR’! If I actually wrote what I said in my head, my blogging would appear pretty darn radical and blogger’d excommunicate me. That, or some of the comments I’d like to say about the locals would get me run out of town!

So, what’s the sad and sorry analysis, I ponder?

Probably something like this….

“She exhibits inconsistent moments of mediocre intelligence with cumulative, widespread impairments of social appropriateness based on child-like mental function and extreme ambivalence toward establishing true functional relationships…with a prevalent underlying current of sarcasm based on ridiculously bizarre life experiences.”

Yes! I like that!

Thrown Pot

2009-05-10T20:08:00.004-05:00

I think the highschool art classes have a League Art Show this week; here is one of Paula's entries. Bailey was a good potter too and I will have to dig out some pics; way better than I could ever be--my college teacher told me 'you throw like a korean!' whatever THAT was supposed to mean...!?

Picasso Outdoors

2009-05-07T21:21:00.004-05:00

It was really nice today (unlike last weekend where my son read 2 Michael Crichton books, 2 I tell you,--imagine the dull, dreary weekend in which a youngster actually stays at home with a parent and READS because there is nothing in this godforsaken neck of the woods to do, even with friends; when its chilly and rainy and depressing and his mom is writing melodramatic love stories from her teeny-bopper past; thanks a lot for the guffawing reaction your comments evoked brother Bri,--I am sheepish 'cause what I wrote was retarded, so your fun-poking was quite funny, thank you!) so I was outside taking care of my newly planted tomatoes and peppers, and watering my tropical Hawaiian plants that I brought home to the yard from work.

As I was weeding and listening to knifegirl (who almost stabbed her dog when one didn't stick into her target), I thought about our gas station/work conversation over love lives: "if you marry beneath you, your wife'll be grateful and not mess around", "if you marry an ugly girl, they'll be grateful and not mess around", "is it better to marry above or below yourself?", "you should imagine what your lover would do if you were confined to a wheelchair--would they stay or would they go (hey, isn't that a song?!)"who would want to DO HER when she never brushes her teeth and they're greenbrown, so why does she always have men on her porch", etc etc etc

Is the upcoming warm weather upheaving hopes of love in general? What a hot topic!

Ugh Aagh Aaack!

Don't know what to tell Dan about his dreams....I myself am wondering about a certain someone who I was talking to in my back yard the other night, that I've eyed for many years; all we do when we see each other is stammer and grin hugely, yet it never goes anywhere....
Perhaps dreams are where it's at. At least relationships can stay positive in your dreams.

As far as being outside goes...look at my awesome grouping of blowgun darts (a handspan), particularly the one that stuck in the other--tee hee! and I'd left some cheap watercolors out on the porch. A raccoon is back and is trying his hand (paw) at painting!

Coil Pot + Wire

2009-04-27T15:43:00.004-05:00

Made a quick coil pot several years ago for an example and imbedded a lot of bent wire which turned grungy (smile)....though they sorta reminds me of diaper pins! Its about 2 feet high, very uneven, and now has a glaze that I am unhappy with (frown), somewhat covering the rough scrape marks.

AEROSMITH TICKETS!

2009-04-25T20:41:00.002-05:00

I HAVE AEROSMITH TICKETS!
ha ha ha ha ha! (maniacal laughter, Mr. Bill) Suh-weet!
Alas, this was the one band I did not get to see when I was in high school, as my boyfriend left with a carload of guys--"Guys Night Out".
I did get his red Pontiac Trans Am Firebird which I nearly totaled on main street by u-turning in front of an honking semi.
I was always particularly fond of 'Come Together'....
YEEEE HAAAAW!

Don't know about creativity....but here goes!

2009-04-16T21:47:00.008-05:00

I'll bite, D.
With as much creativity as you can muster, show your heart in:

1 picture
1 poem
1 song or piece of music
1 phrase or quote
1 item of clothing
1 place
1 Disney princess

Picture: Botticelli or Tadema
Poem: Here's a section by Eliot from The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock
For I have known them all already, known them all:-- Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons; I know the voices dying with a dying fall Beneath the music from a farther room. So how should I presume? And I have known the eyes already, known them all-- The eyes that fix you in a formulated phrase, And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin, When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall, Then how should I begin To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways? And how should I presume?
Song: "LOW" by Cracker (I know you expect Heavy Metal, but I adore this one...)
Phrase: "...Those are Pearls that were his Eyes..."
Item of Clothing: Just jeans and a tee....oh wait, did I interpret that as "hot guy"?? Or does that mean what I would wear? Same thing. Sorry, Drollgirl, hot guy.

Place: I want to go back to any remote Hawaiian beach and lounge around all week with a papaya and a book.
Fav Disney Princess: No Disney for me! Anderson's "Little Mermaid" that feels pain like excruciating knives in her new feet, loses the prince, and dies in the end. That's the one for me.

While Waiting...

2009-04-05T19:21:00.004-05:00

I'm putting together a Warwick illustration, mermaid, Bail, colored pencil, PhotoShop, gold paint creation while I wait for the kids to call. (It will be like my Nirvana card on the other page....gotta get gold to 'sparkle'!)
They've been checking out their new cabin today--greeted by a moose in their yard. Its an A-frame which has electricity, woodstove, outhouse, no water but an awesome view. Nate was grabbing a snow shovel, while Bailey was excitedly taking pics and playing with the puppy. I wonder how a first night in a cabin will be--I bet one of the first things to obtain will be a potty-bucket! and firewood. Must have firewood.

Attempt at a Rat Doll...

2009-03-20T18:44:00.003-05:00

Not as cool/icky as I wanted... perhaps with an old lace collar or ballet skirt.
: (
This is my first attempt at paperclay thanks to Gail Lackey's explanation. But my creature is already broken and I may try something like my mermaid doll on my trash art site instead....

Whiner

2009-03-01T17:12:00.003-06:00

I was on the phone a few minutes ago thinking ‘that this is possibly my last phone call to Hawaii’, as Bailey and Nate are leaving Kaunakakai in the wee morning hours. Boo Hoo! (Well, last phone call until May, when my oldest submarines back to Oahu to reside for a while.)

The couple has decided to forgo their island lifestyle in exchange for climatic differences—and I don’t just mean weather. Their belongings have been packed, shipped, sold, and traded for their next adventure…Bailey is going to finish her degree (no universities on Molokai!) and Nate will give up tropical diving for other work. This is probably a good thing, because no one should be exposed to prolonged water pressure on the brain! (I guess this goes for submariners too, for that matter!)

I guess I shouldn’t be self-centered since all my ‘Molokai money’ (vacation for 3 ½ people) had to go for a major vehicle repair in November anyway… and I probably couldn’t of saved up that much again by June so maybe I really couldn't of gone on a trip…but I am happy for them as young, brave adults, getting ready for the next journey and stage in their lives…see you soon!

Where the Wild Things Are...

2009-01-28T08:43:00.003-06:00

Hiding in my cupboard of watercolor examples, of course!

Thanks to Maurice Sendak for his inspiration, I attempt to criminalize his elementary book characters.

Inspiration

2009-01-16T21:35:00.001-06:00

What a darling creature! So delicate and squishy and cute! I think I will have to draw this...Thank you Bailey!

Birdman of the Sea

2009-01-04T10:22:00.006-06:00

I was clearing out some old papers and ran across this sketch I started on that flight to Hawaii. I never did finish the butterfly-wing umbrella, the face, or darken the carpie fishes. I didn't use my favorite pens either, so it seems kind of coarse, but I do believe I will go back and add detail if I can find matching ink.... I think all parts were composed from various pics in good ol Natl Geographic. Thought to ponder: Does that mean I never think of an original idea on my own??!
Now I recall that this was drawn in a sketchbook. Smooth paper lacks tooth. Smooth paper sucks!

Jellies, Giant. Waterworld.

2008-12-31T16:08:00.005-06:00

Sketched up a couple more jellyfish and though I am not extremely pleased with their overall form at the moment, I went ahead and added some divers to play up their scale. Not sure what else I'll do with this picture; I'd scanned and printed a couple to 'play' with as usual. Coincidentally, I saw some REAL giant jellyfish (Echizen kurage) online and couldn't believe their massive size. Creepy.
Teg is the foreground diver, courtesy of Facebook, and I've aleady darkened up both humans and added obscure detail...

Joey Krug. My Preference for Strange. The King.

2008-12-20T20:12:00.009-06:00

(Just killing 3 birds with 1 stone here. Don't think Mr. Krug is strange!)

Thought I would post some of an incomplete sketch I scanned today...I might try drawing some more of these mindless Jellies as they are pretty cool and blobby, yet somewhat forbodingly evil...heh heh heh.

I recalled earlier today that I'd never blogged about an email I received from Joey Krug several weeks ago, former Limousine band member, which I'd blurbed about in May. Joey was nice enough to tell me that he is practicing some kick-a$$ music and bound to start up playing soon. (I hope!)
However, I have no way of knowing when, because I am "MySpace Incompetent" and cannot communicate.
Alas. My only hope is to be emailed again. And don't worry, I'm not a stalker.

Interestingly (only to me, I assume), I discovered that 'forboding' can also be spelled 'foreboding' since my spell-check is causing me to second-guess myself.
You know, I don't want to do something stupid and spell 'meat' as 'meet' or something! Bailey says that this photo of Dan's HAS to be Burger King in Hawaii!

Congrats Again!

2008-11-21T19:20:00.002-06:00

Tegan received another medal--he called on Monday evening after what sounded like several days without SLEEP. The USS Greeneville is out of dry-dock now and he had lots of exciting comments on this feat. Mom says "Get some sleep!"
Fake medal here ...I have no idea what is should be!

Dark Indian

2008-11-01T18:33:00.002-05:00

Found this pic in a drawer... I think in about '87, I worked for an illustrator for a couple months...was inspired to go home and try something, so I took 2 scraps of illustration board and glued them together, carving into the top one with an exacto knife because I like texture that I can feel I think the feathers are carved out too...and its a combo of acrylics, oil, turpentine, ink, colored pencil. It hangs in a dark corner...

And speaking of Indians, I also came across this pic of me during the early 70's. Before high school anyway. The girl on the horse visited up the road every summer and her dad was a Secret Service Agent for the Pres. I look like I should of been cast in the movie BILLY JACK. (But I did attempt to force the rest of my siblings to wear painted-up fringed pillow case dresses and loin clothes and build willow huts one summer...!)

Relationships or Sinking Ships?

2008-10-18T17:30:00.008-05:00

I can't believe one can actually sign up (and pay) money to "Meet-an-Inmate" to procure a new 'friend' or future husband! Oh I am so naive to think that I wouldn't believe something like this existed, but I was lead to this sight somewhat cleverly in another blog I read.

I laugh as I write this...but after I looked at the prison site, then took some time to check out OUR locals that live within 15 miles of our zipcode under the Yahoo Personals site (No, I would not sign up) ...well... I think the Inmate pictures appear more 'normal'! (You'll've heard me discuss the 'Deliverance' types around this neck of the woods.)

EEGADS! Give me a break! Some whackocreepjob that claims to be 50 has all the wrinkles of a 75 year old...and the other dude that says he's 36-- GUFFAW! He is way older than me! I KNOW it!
LIARS! LIARS!
I don't know what they're expecting, but if any woman around here is stupid enough to believe them... HA HA! Well, butter my buns and call be a biscuit! I've had my good laugh for the day...but hope none of them are intelligent enough to come across THIS.
Shivers! The prisoners look more sane...!

Congrats to the Double Wide Stripes!

2008-10-15T20:25:00.002-05:00

Way to go LIEUTENANT Teske! Tegan now has to upgrade all his uniforms again... Good job...I don't think I could work those hundred hour weeks! Hey....scoot over closer to that gal! : )

Wamego Homecoming

2008-10-09T14:59:00.004-05:00

I see our English teacher, Beth Lang, has posted a nice pic of the Homecoming Candidates on the Sports Booster site:

Of course I had to play with it!

Green Fairy Font

2008-10-05T20:26:00.003-05:00

I rather freaked out last week, thinking I had done something credit-cardly stupid when ordering a bottle of absinthe online. I'd shot an email to Okanagan Spirits in Canada and got a return phone call 3 minutes later, whereupon a heavily-accented, polite man said I'd get a shipment in 10-12 days--turns out it was much faster!

Look at the pretty, intricate font--the bottle arrived much larger than I expected; tall with a long neck. Can't wait to give it a sample! Maybe next week....

Art Joke.

2008-09-29T21:14:00.004-05:00

Yes, I understand that people think that this guy (now deceased) is a wonderful painter; usually the same type of folk that think deer and pheasant portraits are really 'art'.

SILENT SCREAM!

More Town...

2008-09-21T21:08:00.009-05:00

Just some buildings and things around town. Luckily its still green and not yellow and dry like it usually becomes in July/August. This year we've had million dollar rains.
The potato cellar building is partially sunk into this hillside. It contains 3 apartments and is about 2 blocks S. of me. I will have to ask someone about its history...

The Dutch Mill at the City Park, which grinds grain when working properly.

The hazy pic is Rambler's Bar and Grill--delicious steak on Thursday night for under ten bucks. You can see the hind end of a police car to the north of the building. The police station used to be the old library...so there is now another bar in town--people weren't comfortable stumbling out of Ramblers in full view of der Polizei! Ramblers closes around 9:00 now, so you have to spend the rest of your evening at Lincoln Street Station. That other building that says 'Barleycorns' is the smokeless bar, but I haven't seen it open yet.

Then there is the little museum building down by the park.. lots of interesting items in there. Copfriend has lots of interesting items in his backyard too, where he restores countless Jeeps....hmmm, I broke the gas pedal on mine last time I tried to start the engine...hmmm!

Lastly, this big building used to be a funeral parlor. One of my son's friends rented part of it before it was completely made into apartments. We went in one night about 1:00 am and saw remnants of funeral parlor stuff--like the antique makeup kits, old bottles (embalming fluid?), piles of what looked like ashes (huh?), all very dark and creepy--you can go on the flat part of the roof and yell out the odd windows at other people who are wobbling home from the bar across the street!

Oh, and the gas station is my 'coffee house' across the alley from me. Coffee is a quarter a cup, if you bring your own!

Honeymoon Adventure

2008-09-14T18:55:00.009-05:00

My daughter just called and had me chuckling with tales from Alaska. Already forewarned by my Fairbanks sister-in-law that 'fashion wasn't an importance here', we already knew that “pretty” didn't matter as long as you're warm!

Since being in Alaska a week, Bail said she had never seen people so pale in her life (I couldn't live like that—I HAVE to have some sun)--and all their little facial imperfections showed due to their ghostly palor...I asked if the dental hygiene compared to the British, (they've been through some very small, poor towns), but she said “You can't see their teeth cause they all have beards. Even the ladies.” Smart Aleck!

At Valdez, they watched the tankers pulling in and out amongst the fog; and later got to see/smell the finale of a salmon run when thousands of them just lay and rot. They ventured around Anchorage, went through Denali, stayed in Fairbanks, had caught 8 salmon, and today were heading to Seward.

Now I hope nobody suddenly decides to call this in, because my daughter pulled a shocking stunt which surprised me, but I have to say I am definitely impressed:

While traveling slowly down a road in the middle of nowhere, looking at the Pipeline, she saw a snowshoe rabbit hopping along—and proceeded to shoot it from a moving vehicle (I did mention that IT was moving too!), hitting it directly in the back of the head right between the ears! That sounds like a crackpot shot-- with a .45 pistol and I'm sure she surprised herself and probably wouldn't have done it had she had time to think. Murder!

Now I know a rabbit is no big deal to Kansans and they did try to cook it over the campfire later so as not to waste it—they do hunt/fish for food, but it proved to be so old and tough that it bled juices all over but was too hard to stick a knife point into—I can imagine a Clan of the Cave Bear scene, trying to gnaw away at a bloody bunny bone. She is salting the skin and was enamored by it's giant paws.

She said they had visited with a Tanner and he'd shown them all around his shop petting all the animal skins. She didn't know that a beaver pelt had to have the longer rough hairs pulled out—that no one around that village performed that trade anymore and they were shipped to Europe for that task. She thought that Nate could become a professional beaver plucker since there was a hole in the market for that job..., but I told her she should probably never say that phrase aloud again! C'mon--it sounded bad!

Anyway, I hadn't realized they'd been sleeping in a tent—I thought they were hanging out with my brother and wife at the Base for a while and using their camper. Despite the cool weather, they'd decided to venture off on their own and hadn't stopped at a motel yet, pitching their tent at campsites or anywhere they found a somewhat safe-looking spot.

Did I say safe? One night they stayed in an area filled with Tsunami warning signs. (Break-offs from glaciers cause huge tidal waves and I'd seen the devastation on the Discovery channel-yikes—but isn't that a springtime phenomenon?-- or was it due to earthquakes?) They were awakened in the night by a horrible sound—not a herd of moose or family of bear crashing through the brambles, but really loud and rough and rumbly (at this point she says to Nate over the phone: “I was NOT in tears!”. It was a landslide that landed across/up the road from them; the week of nonstop rain had loosened the boulders enough to start a nice black avalanche. Whew. Don't park at the base of a mountain like that RV did...

Now wearing duck hats to hide the fact that they hadn't bathed in quite some time, the two honey-mooners decided that small Baby-wipe squares were not enough for cleanliness and you just can't jump in the ocean like Hawaii-- so off to find warm water. And soap!

August Insects

2008-08-25T16:22:00.035-05:00

When I was on the front porch roof painting with a brushsicle--my brush duct-taped on a stick (afraid of heights/ladder too freaky), Brigg 'rescued' me from a nest of wasps.
I thought he was just going to spray them, but he whipped out a lighter too and did the Schwarzenegger/Van Damme immense ball of fire/flame-thrower thing while I screamed in fright and had an angry heart-attack. (Sorry, I don't really like Jean-Claude, so I usually refer to him as Dirt Clod Van Damme and I was pissed as hell at this form of weaponry, because Brig nearly burnt me, the roof, and the nearby cedar tree and I don't approve of torches created from aerosol cans... Idiots!)
Red arrow=too high!

But the wasps are everywhere.

This is the time of year when I usually head out to a pond/pasture/roadside and observe bug activities, so I hope my trucks repaired soon. They're very prevalent now and our high school used to give a major insect-collecting project so we have an immense net. If you go out to MudFeet Farmer's pasture, several dung beetles will be rolling poo along the cow paths while helicopter-size dragonflies hover overhead.

Huge hornets have been digging burrows on this block; here's one straddling his victim. I watched him buzz slowly around the yard, struggling with the weight of a huge cicada:

Three times I've seen an ichneumon traveling around waist high, but every time I grab the net, it disappears, so this one's from google: (It looks like a flying thread.)

Brigg caught the biggest praying mantis I've ever seen (besides Bail's); here's it's pic through glass. It was about 5" long with creepy skinny legs:

Later 3 of us roamed the neighborhood and saw some swallowtail caterpillers and the monarch/tobacco worm ones--greens white black yellow--very pretty. We used to freeze and pin our creatures in the bugbox, but now we just keep them for a day and release them for other to enjoy...or fear!

The Release of the Mantis:

And here's the back of the house where I moved the little ladder which I will NOT use. It's laying there at an angle. Guess I'll have to find a longer pole for my brushsicle, as you can see where I chickened-out on the scraping! See that dinosaur sheet hanging over the window? That would be Tegan's and I better take it down before it fades since he got it when he was in 5th grade, I think! I'm sure he would want it on his bed!

War of the Worlds Art

2008-08-10T10:01:00.005-05:00

I'd posted a drawing I started the other night based on a cool jellyfish picture and I couldn't help noticing it's resemblance (in my mind anyway!) to the Tripods on the War of the Worlds movie starring Tom Cruise, though I've cropped the leg section a bit short here...
When this was a brief TV series in the late 80's, I could NOT stay up late and watch it--gave me a really negative/creeped-out feeling. (Other things I couldn't bear to watch: China Beach, Platoon, & American History X-- in which I nearly hysterically scream "Turn it off! Now! Turn the channel!"'-- How someone thought up curb-stompin'... makes me physically sick.)
Anyway, the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics were on, so I was going to sit down and sketch! But during a commercial I flipped the channel and War of the Worlds was on...so I just HAD to watch the Tripods...
Here's a little more Jelly; observed upside down, it resembles little humans....

Parade Pic

2008-08-07T21:27:00.002-05:00

Pottawatomie County

2008-08-01T17:16:00.009-05:00

Last night we traveled north to the tiny town of Onaga; this is where the Pott County Fair is held every year and has been since the dawn of time.
I'd never watched the "Miss Pottawatomie" contest before, but Brig's gal Paula was a participant so we wanted to see her perform. It was very nice, held in the high school auditorium with really well-executed paintings of old cowtown buildings as a backdrop.
We'd heard that since the dawn of time, an Onaga girl usually wins the crown, and 5 of the 8 girls were from there. All 8 performed a cute dance with barefeet, jeans, and cowboy hats. They all answered a question--Paula was contestant number 5 but the announcer accidentally called her by the wrong name and she was very tactful when emphasizing that she was 'Paula...!"
All the little ladies had spent an afternoon of questions/answers with 3 judges--NOT local.
Most everyone's 'talent' was either a dance, or an oral skit, but Paula sang a lovely operetta song in Italian and she had graceful arm and hand movements and natural poise. I think she'd won a state award with this song at school, but I hadn't heard it yet.)
Later, the announcer read comments about the girls' achievements while they walked in their evening gowns and Paula had some pretty impressive items... besides the numerous activities/clubs/extracurricular things she belongs to, she'd been to KU to Girls State for a week last month. She had been voted "Supreme Court Justice", some type of "Judge" and had also taken a bar exam and received a 100%. She'd also designed the blue formal she was wearing and beaded it, and also the 'Elizabethan' type-opera dress. (The pic up top is a fake crown on an old photo: Paula and Brig wore maroon to a school dance.)
As the judges left to put in their final votes, an awesome comedian came on stage and had us laughing til our sides ached--he was quite clever.
At the end, we waited on the edge of our seats...what was going to happen? Another Wamego girl ended up winning a Congeniality scholarship, an Onaga girl won some type monetary certificate too, then Paula ended up winning the overall title, so it was really fun!
So, this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, she will have to hand out ribbons/prizes/medals to all of the Fair contestants, so this means from 8:00am to late-- in a livestock pen, stepping around the poo!
Baaaaa.....We will go watch the parade on Sunday at 1:00 and collect candy for the little kids, wave at Paula, and bake in the sun!
Congrats!

CMM or Motorcycle Steve

2008-07-20T19:47:00.010-05:00

Central Mechanics Man came by the yard a couple times yesterday—catching me pacing & yakking on my phone, then hammocking and yakking on my phone—guess that looks pretty lazy!

When Steve rode by the 2^nd time, not in his truck, I could imagine: the freedom of the blacktop guiding his way, the wind through his hair, exposed to the sun….aaahhh the joys of a Harley, I mean the Riding Lawnmower puttering on by on a return journey from the fixit shop…ha ha!

Motorcycle Steve informed me he was going home to mess on his computer, thus this blog. Yes CMM lives a block from the river, a block from Messiah Man, but I haven’t had any reason to mention him before, other than the fact that he doesn’t tie his shoes at 5:30am and I have seen him on the lawnmower in his yard, performing a daredevil hairpin turn on his extremely steep hill, nearly spilling himself into the street….ha ha again!

I should mention that many ‘normal’ people that do appear at the gas station in the wee morning hours do not have their boots or shoes tied—this must require a certain amount of caffeine before one’s spine is ready to take on the challenge of flexing down—and rising in an upright position again. I don’t know….I slip on flipflops.

Now, when writing a blog, they require illustration to hold your interest, so I was going to put on this Harley pic of my favorite rider and the Harley logo reminded me of an incident at Walmart this morning. (If you go fairly early, it’s not ungodly busy and I usually enjoy Gay Greeter Man gush ‘I jus luv yore haaiir!’. I feel sorry for this guy because I wonder if he has many friends.) I digress.

Over by the health/beauty aids I saw a large African American man talking on his cell phone—confused—standing by the feminine hygiene products. This amused me until he suddenly turned around and said, “Hey! I need help! Uh uh…what are ‘WINGS’? My girlfriend wants….” Etc. I was probably turning red (he wasn’t) and I just pointed to a box. Then he wanted to know which ones were heavy duty (in my mind I wanted to laugh and say ‘Ugh. The ones that feel like you’re wearing a diaper?’), but that would be too much unpleasant and tacky information, so I just pointed at another box while he read her the text…

Here's some better WINGS:

& another pic of Billy the God of Chopper's Inc..... (having trouble posting pics, hope his gorgeousness is here....)

Do CANADIAN Painters...

2008-07-18T17:12:00.009-05:00

sing?
Dan, a painter from Canada, used his creativity to blog about Wamego KS. He posts interesting views here, although it looks as though he's out of commission at the moment (click his pic):

So, do professional painters in Canada SING?
Do they sing at 2:00am?
Do they sing while skipping, strolling, dancing (weaving!) down the middle of a dark street?
Do they belt out Judy Garland's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in a deep, rich voice?

Just checking.
Sigh. I realize that's another 'Oz' reference, but it can't be helped...one more of my neighborhood's true little oddities.
Let me know when you do the same!

(This moomlight painter DID remain clothed.)

Almost Married....!

2008-07-01T21:35:00.007-05:00

A couple pics off of Sandy's camera--I don't have PhotoShop at the moment and don't want to ruin quality, but I think they are so lovely! Of course, I'm quite smitten by this darling couple! Just turn your heads sideways for the moment.

Raspberries and the G-String

2008-06-25T10:10:00.003-05:00

I know you're thinking those two subjects are not even REMOTELY related, but yes folks, they are! I CAN combine yet another whacko with the prickery brambles of raspberries while writing another blog...

Landing in the lawn on my stomach in my spectacular touchdown dive, I managed to save a bowl of black raspberries from spilling as I freed myself from the clutches of a particularly viscous clump of cane. I was laying there in the crabgrass thinking, “Oh crap!”, because I had just spotted a ton more berries from my new angle—ankle high, looking up. This year these canes have gone ape-shit (or hog-wild, to be a bit milder) and instead of the usual waist and shoulder high heighth , they are way taller than my head and so thick that I might find Sleeping Beauty back in there...or the Prince!

I learned from past experience that wearing a tank top and shorts are NOT the way to fend your way through a patch unless you want to look like a lacerated fool, so I usually don army pants, long sleeves, and heavy shoes, which tend to trip me up.

I want these berries for the final Raspberry Liqueur wedding cake, so I was working up my resolve to head back in to get the lower berries. (Don't squat down in the midsts of thorny brambles until you tie your hair up too, unless you want to experience what a mammoth felt like in the La Brea Tar Pits.)

My dad gave me some raspberry shoots years ago; his patch was linear, tied up, trim and neatly controlled. I was thinking of this when I remembered an incident from several years ago...NOT all the plants were from HIM!

An old house down the alley was going through a restoration and part of the interior was torn down to 2 x 4's. The back yard was a wild mess of weeds, rotten lumber, and raspberries. Naturally, I had to 'save' the plants from future demolition, so I asked a worker if they cared whether I dug them up. “Hell no! Take what you want!” I said I'd probably walk over after lunch...

I returned a short while later with a wagon and shovel, but only thought it polite to let someone know I was back, just in case they'd changed their minds. I hollered at the house because I heard banging and then finally stepped inside-- to a freakin' bizarre scene: A lone, blond guy was standing there in a g-string, sweating up a storm, installing rolls of pink insulation between the walls... I gasped and wheeled around, frozen-- didn't have a clue what to do or think!

Oh my God! I think he asked if I was 'uncomfortable' and I didn't actually turn back around, yet still carried on a conversation while pretending to be nonchalant.....Oh my God! To think that someone would be messing with itchy insulation all over their bodies...I wondered if he really was just plain hot like he claimed, or if he did it on purpose to freak me out. I think it was for the reaction, which I wasn't about to let on that I thought anything was wrong and give him that smug satisfaction...

Well, I dug my plants, wheeled them home, then forbid the kids to play out back for the rest of the week.

Ahhh well, these raspberries are awesome anyway, despite the pricks!

Prairie Springs Cottage

2008-06-18T09:22:00.005-05:00

Prairie Springs Cottage is a lovely restored barn that is now on-line! Here is the link:
Prairie Springs Cottage

I can see the corral behind Barry in the background and Nate's cool driftwood sculpture gracing the upper wall, along with Bailey's cow and calf in some of the website's photos. How cute!
Sandy and Barry Clay have created a little piece of heaven here...
What a wonderful endeavor! I will certainly pass on the word.

No Time.... June 28th is nearly here!

2008-06-10T19:43:00.005-05:00

Stress! I can't get anything done right! Would like to blog more, but haven't the time. Today and yesterday I had to pick and pit cherries. Tonight I made 2 10" rum cakes and a 6", and 1 14" chocolate stout cake. I need 2 more of those. I already have several carrot cakes in the freezer and 3 lemon layers. Soon the raspberries will be ripe and it looks like there might be tons. Then apricots. So one of the cakes will be whatever fruit is ready when Bail comes back.
Big Cake/3 tiers:
Bottom-- deliciously heavy Chocolate Stout w/ 3 chocolate cream layers.
Middle-- lemon zest with tart lemon syrup and 3 lemon curd layers.
Top-- Carrot, 2 types, 3 cream cheese layers.
Other cake:
Tortuga Rum (you CAN'T stop eating this!)
and probably some type of raspberry Amaretto

A nice friend is making a white sheet cake for those non-adventurous types!

Most verything is wrapped and frozen and then I must start the glaze/filling/frosting stuff.
And finish the DRESS!
(When I thought we might be in a tornado the other night, I wrapped it up and took it to the basement with me-- by God, that's one item that will not get sucked out the windows!)
Table decorations possibly Thursday...Flowers-- Bailey can send 100 orchids from Hawaii for $16.00! yeah!....Punch?!

NIGHTMARES?!

2008-05-30T23:12:00.003-05:00

My son just called and woke me up to insist that I watch a youtube video...
For some reason I can't post and they are way too long anyway. But talk about odd...so far I have watched Tool's Schism, Stinkfist, and Parabola.
Intensely creepy!

Mesmerized Beyond All Reason

2008-05-24T17:15:00.001-05:00

The summer that I decided to throw caution to the wind and start living a bit; the year I decided to revert back to my youth and let loose a little (mostly legal this time!); my summer of 'fun' and a few drinks, was the year Bail graduated—it must be a daughter thing because it hit really hard...

When I was 14, I had met a guy at the city park after several of us were finished tanning at the swimming pool...he walked up with another guy and to this day I have no idea what the conversation was that afternoon...he had the kind of eyes that you drown in, the kind of eyes you worship and only read about in books...that suck you in and you hit rock bottom...Oh God, I was a goner.

If I could only begin to describe what I felt-- the heart crushing rush and the insane adoration and the hell and misery...it would take pages...

Anyway, a few year ago some of us were sitting down at the local Steakhouse perched up at a round table on high oak stools and... we'd had a several beers. It was nearing midnight and I was facing the side door of the place when it suddenly opened and a young guy walked in; light brown hair and tall with a slight build. But it was the eyes-- once he walked in he was facing directly toward me and there is no other way to say it: our eyes just locked. I was so shocked and mesmerized that I really did gasp outloud at that very instant...I think only my cop buddy heard me but I could not look away... That guy started walking towards us and staring and I thought I would never breathe again...it was THOSE kind of eyes and my God it was the most powerful, enticing look I had ever felt. He knew one of the other guys at our table and stood behind his stool making small talk, but I swear his eyes never lost their hold and I was aware that my friend was talking to me and I answered (I think), but I could absolutely NOT look away. I was totally frozen and wanted it to last forever...I think my chest and mind and throat were swirling. Totally in TRANCE. He didn't stay but for a few moments, which was probably good because if he would of sat down I don't think I could have functioned.
I will tell you one thing though...without saying a word, if he would have snapped his fingers, I think I would have walked out that door without a second thought.

And after I 'woke up' I was too embarrassed to ask my friend who he was; I know he could tell I was rattled...
But to experience that feeling again...wow. I guess I was lucky to have ever felt anything like that at all and twice in my life?! How I wish I knew who that guy was. Man, I need a fix like that right now...

Hmmmmm gotta play my trance song below while I re-read this... gotta quit thinking about this and WAKE UP!

In Trance

2008-05-24T17:14:00.001-05:00

Love the Scorpions.

Riley Woodward

2008-05-23T21:42:00.002-05:00

Found a pic of Wamego freshman Riley running at the State Meet this morning...his was the first picture posted! Riley is a hard worker and a kick-butt artist (nice drawings!) too...

Wamego KS 4a Track Regionals

2008-05-17T09:58:00.005-05:00

I went out for a jog this a.m. and was thinking about an earlier blog post...that the meet was 'uneventful'--for me. I was helping at the meet last night and I realize that I misspoke (just because MY kid graduated last year....). We had a wonderful day in Wamego, the 15 visiting teams were great-mature and mannerly; everyone did a nice job.
Every kid that was at Regionals should be commended for their performances and I don't care what place they came in or whether they made it to finals or not. Every kid that went out for track (or any activity) whatsoever should be commended for putting forth effort. It was exciting to watch all the prelims and finals and interesting to hear that students pr'ed in field events and running. My heart goes out to those that didn't quite make the final four, or crashed and burned--like hurdles; but they should all be very proud of themselves regardless. Thank you parents, coaches, guys and girls-- GREAT JOB! It was fun.
I'll have to go to www.kansas.com later to see the rankings....
Topeka Capitol had nothing written, but results were online: http://cjonline.com/stories/051708/pre_279950977.shtml

Joey Krug

2008-05-06T20:07:00.003-05:00

Since we had done so much reminiscing last Friday, it made me wonder about the local band we worshiped in the 70's... "Limousine". Little Joey Krug, not too talkative, eye candy guitarist from Topeka KS, the guy with long black hair down his back and ebony lid liner, that we girls ogled many a weekend.
"Limousine"--cursive and spelled with 2 tilted stars instead of dots...in art class and on our notebooks, we perfected that logo over and over again. It seems that Joey Krug does still jam in a band, maybe called "Warlok"? opening for acts like "Black Oak Arkansas". Aaahhh... The Jolly Troll in Holton KS; had heard it reopened... could it be the same exact bar(n) and open-air dance floor that I remember???

Teg...are you out there??

2008-04-30T22:00:00.004-05:00

Stole these pics off one of your friend's sites...to show Grandma! She always wants to see you dressed up. What's all that on your chest!? : )

Today's Project

2008-04-26T18:20:00.006-05:00

Hand-printed some cards. Carved a sea-shell block a couple weeks ago and assembly-lined them. Mixed white printing ink with brown/pink/golden to make a rare "Sunrise Shell", then added silver sparkle edges and rhinestones; pale coffee bow tied inside. Meanwhile, I pinned more on Charlotte...while cards were drying...hmm. Coffee, must have coffee.

Favorite

2008-04-25T20:15:00.003-05:00

When I posted 'Rat King' on my other page, I realized that I hadn't used my favorite pens in a LONG time...Sakura Microns. These became my fast friends when I found a box in the school art closet that hadn't been used in 7-10 years. I did the entire "Surreal City" drawing (writing page) with them & they still worked; thus inspiring an artistic frenzy. Since then I've purchased more, but sadly they don't last nearly as long as the old type did...

Johnny Get Your Gun

2008-04-23T22:18:00.004-05:00

One of the coffee shop guys told me this a.m. that Dennis (Paula's dad) had been attacked. He didn't say by what so I called their house early this morning. He had been out in the cornfield clearing a large rock when 2 pitbulls jumped him. They live 13 miles out in the country; the owner came out of his house up the road and starting yelling, which only increased the dogs aggressiveness. At the hospital Dennis was told that his own insurance would have to cover the series of rabies shots he would endure (since it happened on his property!!??) The dogs were put in quarantine for 10 days since they had no vaccinations-- then the owner would pay a fee to get them back??!! Brig said the dogs had chased him when he was out jogging; that they had jumped Paula's nice farm dog twice. There's a 3 yr old that lives up the lane now-- what about him?, or Paula and her sister--both lovely girls--if Dennis couldn't get the dogs off...

Castle Bravo

2008-04-23T21:57:00.002-05:00

My daughter had mentioned traveling to the Marshall Islands last summer and eventually I decided to google the place. I've spent a few nights reading about this sad mishmash of horrors and am ashamed that I'd grown up knowing nothing about it. My God, how could this happen? I had wanted to see airfare prices--was it within budget to send her there? Not really, now. As I wrangled the computer away from Briggs tonight, I reminded him to save $ if he's still traveling to Kaunakakai on Hawaii's 'Leper' Island. As he went off to bed, I asked him to check on me at 4:00am since my side is aching weirdly and the doctor wouldn't see me today...he responded with an eye roll and told me to check out Pen Island too-- the dotcom site. Then he ran up the stairs... OH GAWD!! I am so gullible. groan

Kansas Dorks

2008-04-22T10:06:00.003-05:00

Found this old pic of a class reunion--seems we have beaver teeth here. Aren't we sumpthin'!? The 2 guys right behind and 2 in front of me are good friends, but don't hardly ever get together--must change that!

Pretty as a Picture

2008-04-20T09:40:00.004-05:00

The kidlets had Prom yesterday; at least it wasn't freezing out. I will improve these pics later, but they were a lovely couple. The dress was homemade and entirely beaded by hand; yeah! The Tulip Festival was in full swing at the park, so there were limited areas to take photos...

Pains, oops more...

2008-04-13T19:50:00.003-05:00

Pain in the neck, pain in the butt, pain in the ass... I told my mom right before Easter that I had a pain in my side and was fearful that I might have pulled something in my stomach or abs on the weights deck. (Especially since I'm not real sure what I'm doing up there!) She calls me back the next night--my sister had gone to the doc to get her asthma/allergy relief and casually mentioned that she had a side-ache. Incredibly, she underwent emergency surgery the next morning and has PMP- a very rare form of cancer. I read about it online and it sounds like she may end up in Texas. So, I keep poking a finger into my abs now and then (yes, probably a pulled muscle) but I finally broke down and made an appt for May... Hope all goes well for her. Now: must address envelopes.
Geez--forgot that Brig is wallowing in self-pity with a bright red ear and swollen jaw line--abscessed tooth, poor guy. It's killing him so he goes to the dentist soon-- I must be a wimp and need to suck it up!
So on a lighter note, when I was over at Barry and Sandy's eating soup and delicious warm bread this weekend, somehow our conversation branched out into the absurd. Maybe the dark beer helped...but our tangent had something to do with a new movie that was out: we were talking about bumps in the road being dead adulteresses that were chucked onto the highway...! We were giggling like mad! That's just as bad as telling my daughter that baby chicks couldn't nurse because their beaks would fill up with feathers if they tried. Then it would be like having a mouthful of peanut butter...

Card Buddy is Back

2008-04-08T17:51:00.004-05:00

Card man got back from Thailand (& Korea, Laos, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia...) without getting killed and with loads of cool photos! He's doing some subbing in the area. You must post the pictures on a blog for our viewing pleasure. (My jealousy abounds and makes me wonder where I put my Guatemala pics...) Now I must relearn how to play spades, since my memory is a sieve!

Brett Kicks Butt

2008-04-06T19:03:00.002-05:00

Brett, Brigham's best friend, has qualified for Olympic Trials in the Javelin this weekend. Very cool! All those years of throwing rocks at my head have paid off. He always has had a helluva'n arm. I put some more pics lower of both of them...when I find some of their little hunting/fishing/lawnmower pics, I will post them too, tee hee! Congrats!
Oops--failed to say that Brett now ranks 4th in the Nation and broke the record at his college by more than 8 feet and has been named T-Mobile's Athlete of the Week!

Umm. Johnny Depp. Sigh.

2008-04-06T18:40:00.002-05:00

It was decided (between myself & Paula!) that Brigham will be Edward Scissorhands for Halloween this year. I'll start the costume in July (Jack Sparrow took all summer too, but it was worth it.) I found the perfect dress (the one you see here) for Paula and we are taking the liberty of inventing a new character—Edward must have a wife! Random black and white materials have been saved just for this purpose, black leather belts, the boots, and making their 'hands' should go well too—a seed salesman gave me a ton of lightweight plastic corn signs to cut and paper mache. Why? Because Johnny Depp is interesting, odd, hot, and...there's just something about his personality that makes me think he doesn't really know who he is yet...like me!. Well, a group of us went to see Sweeney Todd. I'd forgotten about all the songs-- I took Brig' to see it onstage at the Columbian Theatre when he was a little boy and we loved it-- a twist ending, a slamming door—we jumped 5 ft in the air and were deliciously frightened. However, he must of remembered there was more singing than I did, because he refused to go! I was impressed that Johnny could sing-- but I found myself staring and staring at the shoulder seams on his vest and thinking, ' how was that sewn?...that's not a pattern I've seen before'...pay attention! I really liked it but a couple times I wished for more dialogue. Loved all the clothing; I usually focus on things like that (and the decadent horror). I guess I like costumes that look real. Not too clean for their time period. Well worn. Arg. Can't concentrate-- must sew.

Clothes for Comfort

2008-03-30T15:23:00.001-05:00

I decided I would drive to Topeka today (Eeks! A big city!) and pulled on my usuals; clothing that I consider worn anywhere, anytime: jeans, black shoes and belt, and any kind of a black shirt. I chose a longsleeve plain black tee, tucked in (somewhat). I substituted my favorite jeans for a pair of darker blue—more dressy, but it wasn't until I was busy shopping when I noticed my shoes. I mean someone else did. I have several pairs of black items, these happened to be expensive (I got them for free) black leather that just happened to have random paint splatters that I didn't even notice (things like that don't bother me); probably left from my wall experiment months ago. Do you know that look that you get when someone thinks they are more sophisticated; that sneer; that holier than thou look; the snub; the nose in the air???
Honest to God, who really gives a rat's ass if someone doesn't appear perfect??? It took me a split second to realize what their focus was and to decide whether I let myself get all insecure about it or ignore it. I ignored them but there still was that little feeling of 'not good enough'. There are certain types of people that can just get to ya! What's weird is that I wouldn't be able to tell you what THEY were wearing-- I don't even notice. I talked to all kinds of people yesterday and have no idea what anyone's apparel was like! I do notice funky, artsy things that are unusual, probably because I would go home and try to make it, like my 2 chinese tops. It seems pretty shallow that a drip of paint on a stranger's shoes could evoke a side conversation about fashion (or my lack of)!
Really, if given a choice, my mode of dress (besides the jeans/black) would be my typical summer standard: a wife-beater, bikini, flipflops. Shorts: jean or old boxers or cutoff sweats. It's called 'preparation'! No AC so it's cool, yardwork ready; you can go fishing or out to Paula's pool whenever you feel like it, plus you're covered if you go to the grocery store or gas station. Does that sound white trash?! You can see that I'm not picky, but I would draw the line at crocs—yes, the most hideous invention ever.
But back to clothes. Do people really judge you based on them? I see the biggest girls wearing the tiniest tops or the shortest skirts or the lowest jeans. Is this honestly appealing? Is it attractive or would men prefer modesty? Hmmm. The same goes for make-up. I was shocked one day when a guy starting asking me “what's wrong with you?/ why do you look like that today?”etc. He was really bothered by the fact that I didn't always put on makeup-- like who cares! Should I have fallen to my knees, banging my forehead to the floor with Michael Myers' 'I'm not worthy', 'I'm not worthy'!? Tee hee! I should of, and really freaked him out! So why did that irritate me so much that I've remembered? Feel free to psychoanalyze!

Charlotte w/ Decor

2008-03-30T14:28:00.003-05:00

Added more pics below and there's one on the trash site. The lighting sure makes a difference-The color is just slightly off-white. Oh well...

PhotoShop Chop for Bill

2008-03-27T08:09:00.007-05:00

Briefly, ya gotta scroll down, way down, & look at some graphics...these are old examples saved from school assignments...love doing "CD Covers"-- will post more later, as I have some cool graphics at home. This is one of my son's friends, from Prom, but I had to mess with it-- he looked so much like an 'Agent'.
UPDATE! I made a new graphics link, so go to it...I moved things around.

2008-03-23T21:17:00.000-05:00

What an intriguing new show! I am mesmerized and have to watch every week. Sad, funny, shockingly awful/awesome. I would encourage everyone to watch this because it sure beats idiotic Reality TV-- but watch the first one so you know what's happ'nin! Careful--its addictive and the bathtub scene particularly gruesome...

Stiffled by Fear.

2008-03-22T17:49:00.000-05:00

My creativity! So many options I can't begin! Hundreds of dress pics to chose from and loving parts of ALL of them...HELP. I need to put all these parts I've sewn and beaded and curled and produce a pretty dress that isn't tacky. The pressure is on due to some huge intricate dresses I previously created. Scroll about midway for examples of what I am leaning toward...

Spring Break of Pack Rats!

2008-03-19T18:28:00.000-05:00

What a bore. How dreary. I think of those basking in warm sun on a (probably crowded) sea-shell beach...and....I tell myself to get over it! I can have hours of enjoyment vacuuming white cat hair off the 70's carpet and restacking those quaking towers of books... I decided 3 weeks ago that NO CAT will be allowed back in the house, ever. So far they are agreeable. Probably because of all the cat romances going on in the neighborhood. Last week I tried to hire a hitman twice to take out one of the cats, Kaiser Grey. More on that later—I'm not mean, just humane!
But I digress! Oh the excitement of the vacuum! I moved 7 fishing poles out of one corner, 4 from behind a chair, and Jesus Christ, if I didn't come across 3 more in pieces when I got snagged on some of the line. Exasperation. What to do, what to do? Where to place 2 bows and their arrows, 3 sets of weights; and I see 6 (visible) guns here and there. When you really step back and glance around its quite overwhelming! I put 36 game/music CD's back in their cases and stacked a zillion more before carrying the vacuum upstairs—this really sucks. Sigh. If you ever have to move into an ancient home, make sure there are tons of closets...
I shouldn't complain about stuff...I brought home 4 kimonos some time ago because I could tell they were pretty cool and ancient...some college kid was 'getting rid of his uncle's Halloween costumes'. Google told me that one of them was pre-1911 and would have been worth $700.00 if it would have had dragons rather than peonies embroidered all over it-- I about fell out of my chair! It's awesome and has gold thread here and there and brass flower ball fasteners...actually Chinese from the Ching Dynasty...it now hangs on my living room wall amongst 26 paintings and drawings. Ahhh, clutter! I have so many more cool things to hang if only I had the wall space...!
But saving things comes in handy! I took old sewing pattern pieces, and pressed them onto the wall on which I had brushed liquid laundry starch. I brushed on some more and now have a crinkled texture; painted it a dark white, measured and drew on large thin diamond shapes and painted them all gold with Walmart craft paint—44cents a bottle! Its rather transparent and isn't too obvious—changes in lighting effect it dramatically during the day... I definitely have to create a border...
Must stop and work on that wedding dress now; more later...sorry to be abrupt. There might be pics here or maybe on my other 2 sites...search.

3 X a Charm? or The Light at the End of the Tunnel May be an Oncoming Train!

2008-01-07T18:12:00.000-06:00

I shall not touch anything else this winter, or should I? (You have to say that in a Homer Simpson voice.)
Whatever my fingertips touch has mysteriously and maddeningly broken! The sewing machine needles were a minor irritation, but for God's sake—2 low tires on 2 different cars on the same day? (Tegan has a flat too—coincidence--I didn't transport to New Hampshire, I swear!) I had already been to Carquest 3 times today! Why do I have 2 antiques in the garage and 2 POS cars and a truck? Ok....I didn't put on my glasses when I checked the transmission fluid in the Ranger (with the bad cylinder )...and it wouldn't drive in any gear...that was a week of panic—shot transmission too? Later I read, check WHILE RUNNING in NEUTRAL, so I hustled down and poured in 1 ½ quarts and it seems fine! Then quick, take the 'pimpmobile' down for air and the battery dies halfway in the driveway. I knew it had a bad cell, but geez...just 10 more feet?! Then the other 'no-muffler' car is supposed to go to the next town (will it make it?) and it's tire was flat. Crap. Now the car-vac sucks. I mean it doesn't. Ha! And for safety's sake, I decided to check the clothes dryer tubey thing for lint and it fell to pieces in my hands so I had to replace that. The laptop blue-screened and that was a 4 hour fix. My school computer crashed and the speakers in the graphics lab. And if you want to hear somebody screech “Mother F—er” between gritted teeth while sitting inside the engine of a 64 Chevy with their feet braced against the front while trying to loosen a frozen bolt with frozen fingers on the darn thermostat-- well come right over! And the Jeepster has no battery and no topper...and the kitchen oven doesn't want to light....and the upstairs ceiling fan/light doesn't work anymore (I am pleased to say that someone else wired THAT one; not me, thank you very much!) So, I am almost afraid to touch my new (used) Chevy S10-- in fact, Brig has it and I drive the bad cylinder truck...! My ears are refusing to hear the slight noise from the ancient refrigerator.... and the cell phone went into a puddle of slush water... and the brand-new chainsaw has a slight crack in the top casing....and I thought I broke Grandma's seatbelt today and... My God...is that anti-freeze dripping onto the street? Wanna buy a used Ford?! GIVE ME A FISHING POLE AND A COW PASTURE AND SUMMER!

The Greeneville Submarine and Art

2007-12-29T16:31:00.000-06:00

After Teg made it back from Westpac, the Greeneville got ready for the NORTH POLE Tour!
Yikes...seals and all. But he is done traveling under the North Pole and back in the US again. I am combining this with the fact that I posted a couple painting examples...not the good ones that are somewhere on professional slides--just digipics! Scroll to bottom.

Kids Ahoy!

2007-10-17T16:33:00.000-05:00

Tegan just left for the North Pole this week and Bailey may be moving to Molokai. Talk about REMOTE! I'll post more when I get pics...
and here it is November...Bailey IS moving to Molokai and has a house near the beach with bedrooms, bathrooms, and a laundry--yea! Tegan's sub detoured to Washington for a few days (Halloween)and NOW he's going to the chilly depths. Good luck to both of them.

Wamego Track Rocks!

2007-05-12T14:15:00.000-05:00

Well, for the 2nd time in Wamego history, our boys have won North Central Kansas League track and field. The first was 2004, followed by 2005's 1st in Regionals and 2nd in State. Way to go in 2007, Gentlemen! Scroll down for Red and White. And,not only did our boys win REGIONAL Track too this year, 4 of them earned enough points to place 4th in STATE! Out of 64 4A teams, that's very cool.

Junky Cosmonaut

2007-04-21T21:19:00.000-05:00

Hey....anyone have good pics of a floating astronaut that could illustrate the above phrase? I've loved that song line for years and have an image in my mind--doubt that NASA would have any limp-limbed, drugged-out space floaters, but I can always hope someone does... I would love to make an awesome drawing again...

Drawing Example

2007-04-20T17:14:00.000-05:00

Whoops, forgot to scan in Pyjama Squid, so I found an old drawing to put up-- I cropped it down 'bookmark-size' and played with it. (Over there on the right.) I know it won't show all the tiny details, but I hope you enjoy it--it's a former student who was wearing an old robe in my classroom...

Holocaust vs Prison vs Pyjama vs Pajamas!

2007-04-10T16:51:00.000-05:00

I viewed the most incredibly darling little squid on PBS...I immediately thought of pajamas, and yes it was called a Pyjama Squid--but those sweet little black and white stripes also recall Nazi Germany and the old movie prison garb. Oh so cute! I sketched one during Inservice yesterday, based on recall. Whoops, mine is lacking the curly lashes. Next time I'll get it right! Maybe I'll post that pic soon... (later--see right))
Well, scroll down to the depths of mediocrity. He doesn't look so hot, but I'll excuse myself for using a chintzy ball-point pen instead of a nice pigma....

AAhhhh. Drawing.

2007-04-07T18:13:00.000-05:00

After being lazy for a couple years, I finally decided to kick my own butt into gear and produce another squid drawing, which won't appear here until June '07...perhaps my motivation is that awesome massive squid that was recovered in February this year--a COLOSSAL Architeuthis, more gi-normous than Giant!-- or the fact that my son has been lurking the ocean depths in his nuclear sub for many many months....
NOW HE IS BACK! The drawing is up and I didn't add any bodies! (scroll down)
Anyway, it will be a gift for him. And this one won't be morbid. Really. "A current under sea picked his bones in whispers"--although it's a lovely line, I'm NOT going to illustrate THAT under the circumstances.