OMG OPRAH

What a great ending to a new beginning. I thought I was a popular girl until I watched the last few days of Oprah. She has been a force to reckon with. I will miss rushing home from my nursing home job to make Gypsy Green Tea and eat a Sees Dark Chocolate Ginger Candy to watch the Oprah show. I watched as others poured their hearts and souls out on national television. I learned interesting things about musicians, authors, inventors, philosophers, artists, poets, craftsmen, cooks, designers, and educators. Watching Oprah, I felt that I learned something about the joys and heartbreaks of being a parent. Although I am not a parent, like Oprah I feel as though I have parented and loved many children in my life. That is what I am going to miss about our friend Oprah, she has become a lifelong friend. Thank-you Oprah. We are grateful.

Honoring The Veterans

Memorial Day is an important national day of remembrance for the soldiers who have died in all the nation's wars. Memorial Day observances began after the Civil War. The holiday's original name was Decoration Day, which came from the day's main activity: leaving flowers at cemeteries. The last Monday in May is the special day of Memorial Day. Thanks to my uncles, my brother-in-law Doug, my friend Erik and all of the vets that we are forever grateful to for putting their lives on the line for our country.

Terry's Jewelry

Terry V. is an amazing artist. Her jewelry is what I would describe as precious. You can feel her love and creativity in each piece. I have enjoyed collecting and giving away some of her handmade treasures. The jewelry is versatile. It can be worn causally with jeans or put on for that once a year black tie event. She is partial to swarovsky crystals, precious stones, and pearls. The patterns of her bead work is unique to Terry's art. I thank God for all of the talented artists in the world. They make so many people happy. If interested having a piece of Terry's jewelry call her at 805-709-8730.

Strawberry Festival Time

It is that time. The 28th Annual Strawberry Festival of Arroyo Grande, Ca. This is one of the California's largest festivals bringing together thousands of visitors to enjoy activities, entertainment, art, crafts, and display booths. Go enjoy some ethnic foods and delicious strawberry treats. Moving from Carpinteria, Ca, to Arroyo Grande we went from the Avocado Festival to the Strawberry Festival. I got to tell ya, strawberry ice cream is definitely better than avocado ice cream. This is a great family activity to begin the kick off to summer. My friend Scot goes with his wife and kids to the Festival. Their family tradition is to walk about a half mile to the Festival. He enjoys the various booths and he and his son enjoy the insects in amber booth. Cameron, Scot's eleven year old son loves the carmel corn and funnel cake booth, sampling different funnel cakes at the festival. I am getting hungry for a warm funnel cake light on the powdered sugar please. Happy Strawberry Festival. For information about the festival call 473-2250.

Happy Birthday Bob

Happy Birthday Bob Dylan! Today is Bob Dylan's 70th Birthday. He is an iconic American singer-songwriter, poet, and painter. He has been a major figure in music for five decades. He has explored distinct traditions in song, venturing into folk, blues, country, gospel, rock and roll, and rockabilly to jazz and swing. His art work has been exhibited in major art galleries. The Pulitzer Prize Jury awarded him a special award for "his profound impact on popular music marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power." We saw him perform at the California Mid State Fair and he was fantastic. I want to get my hands on Tarantula: Poems by Dylan the next time we are in SF.

Festival of the Arts

                                                                         
This is the work of Debra Jurey. I have two pairs of her Russian beaded earrings that are wonderful. I have given both of my sisters treasures from her jewelry. The beading is like nothing I have ever seen. It is stunning. On Saturday, May 28, 10-6, she will be selling her jewelry at the Festival Of The Arts in the downtown city park in Paso Robles. It is a FREE event to the public and there will be 56 artists selling their goods. Debra will be in Booth # 11. My husband has been in training in the Bay Area, perhaps when he comes home I can talk him into a journey up North to Paso.

Pismo Beach Fashion

This weekend my best childhood friend Lisa came to the Beach with Katherine, my goddaughter. If one wants to follow beach trends follow Katherine. She is all of 12 years old. She had a unique feather put into her beautiful hair on a recent trip to Hawaii. She wore a darling modern tee with a cool Juicy type black sweat jacket. The best thing about her get up was the two different socks in the keds. When I asked her why she wears two different socks her response was "it is not worth my effort to have a matching pair". Very wise. Now we adults need to remember this when stressing about finding the mate to the other sock. Fun in the sun.

Best of Song and Dance

When parents of children speak, I am all ears. My two friends Laurie and Margo each have children in the upcoming Best of Song and Dance Performance currently showing at the Clark Center. The show opens tonight May 19 and runs Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30. pm. The buzz is the show is great and the creators Robyn Metchik and Suzy Miller are totally on their game. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Make-A-Wish, and American Red Cross. Call the Clark Center for tickets at 489-9444. Go get inspired by our youth.

Claire Sommers Buck

                                      

I came across Clair's beautiful earthy jewelry indirectly. My husband and I have collected her father's pottery at Buck's Pottery in Gruene, Tx. I stumbled upon Clair's work at their web page. I love her jewelry. She is currently living and making art in Austin, Tx. Her jewelry is brass, copper, and or silver and she creates some pieces with vintage chains and turquoise and glass bead work. She is having a Jewelry Trunk Show and Cocktail Party Friday, May 20th, 6-9 at 2214 South First St. Austin, Texas. Go have some fun.

James Frey

I have not read A Million Little Pieces written by James Frey. I have been glued to the TV watching one of Oprah's final seven shows with two of them spent on James Frey. The media went wild surrounding the issue that this book was published as a memoir and how some of the story was untrue. After seeing him interviewed and hearing about his process with all of the controversy I am compelled to read one of his books. Oprah and James had a down to earth conversation about what really happened on his artistic journey.

Swarovski Crystals Meets Natural Stones

I am talking about Pat Schick. She is graphic designer who has a passion for creating beautiful jewelry made with natural stones, semi-precious stones, pearls, abalone, and mother of pearl. Her natural stones include turquoise, smoky quartz, aventurine, kyanite, jasper, black onyx, carnelian and more. When you shop with Pat she can sit there and tell you the healing properties of the stones you are drawn to. Her semi-precious stones include garnet, peridot, amethyst, citrine, and others. She started doing jewelry 10 years ago, working with Swarovki crystals both vintage and new, and incorporates them with natural stones. If you want some lovely jewelry and a positive experience to go with this call Pat at (805) 489-5972. I was so excited with my pieces I left her show with the price tag hanging off the necklace. And for the record, I went for the sterling turquoise and carnelian necklace.

Tribute to Martha

                                                  
Martha Graham was born on May 11, 1894. She was an American dancer , choreographer, and master teacher. When I studied modern dance at Point Park College, I was trained by Judith Leifer, one of Martha Graham's students. Judith exposed us to the style of Martha Graham's dance and taught us the purpose of dance and how it helps to give us an increased awareness of life and a greater understanding of the nature of man. One day Ms. Leifer asked us young dance students if we were serious enough about dance to feed our families and survive the knocks of the world? At the time, this was a difficult question to ponder as a 20 year old dance student living in downtown Pittsburgh. I went on to study modern dance with Shelly Cushman at the University of Texas in Denton, and she continued to help shape my art and life. Now I know those lessons taught me to be committed to things I believe in. Thank you Martha, Shelly,  and Judith for helping to shape my life and many others.

The Art of the Cake

This is Shannara, a cake artist. She has a knack for making a cake come to life. It is fun to watch her go through the baking and decorating steps . Just to see her practice her "pieces" aka writings on the cake is enjoyable. It confirms my theory good art takes lots of practice, anyone have a birthday coming up?  She is a true ace of cakes. There is something gratifying about seeing an artist work with their hands.

Ode to Mom

This one goes out to My Mom. Although she is not on this earth she is still a big part of the lives of us girls, family, and people she cared about. Ode to mothers out there who keep caring about their children. Happy Mother's Day Marcy. Mothers count. Mothers rule.

Multi Colored Ballet Flats

Cynthia Vincent has proven to us that we can break out of the traditional black and pink ballet flats. I am not throwing out the baby with with bath water. I love a basic black flat to go to the dance concert. But..imagine these little delights paired with your favorite jeans and white jacket for a great spring look. Bloomingdale's and ShopBop both carry this brand.

For the Love of Frida

When I remember Frida I remember a women who had her own fashion style. Nickolas Muray captures her style in the portrait photography book I Will Never Forget You.  There are unbelievable stunning photos of Ms Kahlo wearing red shawls and puca shell necklaces and pearls seed dangle earrings. She was able to be photographed differently in every shot. The photo plate of Frida and Diego, her husband in Tizapan, 1937 brought a tear to my eye. I was lucky enough to purchase a Frida art necklace made by a local artist Sarah Winkler. Wear Frieda. Be proud.

Who is Carl Block?

This is the artwork of  Carl Block. He is a personal friend of mine from the Denton, Texas college days. When I met Carl he was a fantastic potter. He continues to make outstanding art. These are his face jugs. My husband and I collect his face jugs. They add great energy into our home. This is not art for the timid.  Carl's face jugs can be found at the Webb Gallery  The Webb Gallery is in Waxahachie, Texas and focuses on "self-taught art and just plain kick ass stuff ".