Parents

I've been thinking about my parents lately. They have both passed over, so I am now the "older generation" in my family. Here they were with my oldest. Picture taken some 21 years ago. She looks pretty happy to be in the arms of a loving grandma. 

Aging in place

This is an older article, but still timely. Many people, as stated in a newer article in AARP (85%) of "older" people want to remain in their homes. This kind of remodeling can make that possible.

Selling my mommy's house

My dear mother died and it was up to me to sell her home. This took quite some time, as she and my father built the home and in 1965 moved in, raised four kids there and kept quite a bit of "stuff".
The city of Tukwila also had plans to repair a storm drain that ran through her yard. It took several months of planning and cleaning to get the home ready for market.

Here I am with my mom before her cancer took her to the other side.

Thank you Michael Lane

This is my portrait sketch from day three of a workshop with Michael Lane
from a workshop at Gage. Thanks Michael for changing how I see things this past weekend!

more sketches

I found more sketchbooks while preparing for school

Is Life worth It?

This was the question of the day.  She, talking about her dead grandfather and her mother pondering...

Here is a quote from Kate Braestrup, the  tail end of a blessing she wrote:

"Let the shadows flee, let that miraculous moment breathe, let the joy rise up you like the flowers of flame from the sacred earth on which you stand"

and here is Willie Nelson, singing: "Gravedigger" Sorry about the annoying ad that plays, but the video and song are worth a listen.

Mom has Cancer

Here are my two nephews, running around and having a super fun time on Thanksgiving. I noticed they were anxious when they weren't rambunctiously playing every time they noticed their mom wasn't in plain sight. They would scream and cry out "mommmmmmm", when they noticed she wasn't around.

I feel the same way now that my mom has cancer. I went for years just seeing her every so often, knowing she was fine, and just "running around" living my life. Now I see her, struggling with cancer and the treatments and it makes me feel a little like these kids....

"Mom! ......."

Napping

I just read a sweet article by

Cathleen Schine 

about napping which reminded me of so many things. I was recently napping on a summer afternoon, and thinking of being a child napping on a summer afternoon, with the lawn mower and the smell of grass and gasoline exhaust coming in the window, and cool cotton sheets. You can read the article here

Hungry: A young model's story...

Here's a book to read for anyone who's thought about the Fashion industry's idea of thin and beautiful.

here is a self portrait in progress, a detail

The Boundaries of a Breakup

Facebook and how to get or lose your "friends"...interesting article. Ok, it's an old article, but I just found my note on a scrap of paper, and wanted to share it here in November....so here it is!

The Oldest People on the Street

The other day I was feeling old, creaky, and just plain worn out. (That's right, I am only in my fifties)...then I looked out the window, and caught a glimpse of my neighbor, an older woman (in her 80's who is Norwegian. At one recent block party we all remarked that while we may get older and die, she'll be re-roofing her house and outliving us all. She showed up to that event with a party platter, cut meats cheeses, lefse that she made herself, and gave all a jar of homemade jam.

So, as I limped to the window, imagine my shame as I saw this gal outside, in her boots and rain gear, hauling around her hose. I thought, what? She is washing her house? It turns out she was washing her windows, outside with a long handled contraption I can only think she made herself in her basement. Here is what she looked like:

The New York Times had this little essay by Michael Winerip on a similar line of thinking.

Shopping and Real Beauty

This is the most wonderful thing I've seen recently. I was in a shop, women looking at sale racks, men rushing past, looking tired, and in the midst of this swirling retail therapy, this little princess was looking at her image in the mirror, adjusting her tiara, and twirling. I recalled my daughters asking when they were this age, "How does the new dress twirl?"

That was the measure of an excellent dress, one that flew all around you when you spun.

knitting vegan

Knit out of Bamboo for my vegan niece. It feels nice. Not sure how durable this yarn will be.

Jury Duty

Whew! They didn't pick me for a two week (first trial) or a three week (second) trial, so I was sent home after only two grueling days serving on Jury duty downtown Seattle. Bus. People. Fluorescent lights (so bright, they could seriously make a prisoner of war crack) in the room they had us waiting in. I brought sunglasses to wear the second day so I could tolerate the lights. The slow, grind of justice. I am not sure how random this process really is. Last year I was summoned, and served on a trial. This year, out of 55 possible jurors. 25 asked to be let go for hardship in the first minute. The stories! The drama! The pleading! I am quite sure the guy accused of stabbing a woman, or the the bloodshot eyed businessman disputing an eminent domain case thought the jurors complaints were small compared to the hell they were in. Well, I've done my civic duty for the month. I'll be so happy when I get the check in the mail for twenty dollars for my trouble.

Geoprene

New Wet Suits, not rubber. Better technology. By Matuse.





I recently went to Westport to watch some people surfing. Lots of wet suits on bodies. Sunny day, but we all know that 56 degree water is COLD.

Sand Dollars and Yellowjackets

Here is a snapshot of what I collected (non Buddhist-way) at the beach recently. A couple of wasps and some sand dollars, some sun and some wind added in for good measure, and some sarcastic commentary on life in a small town. I met some interesting weirdos and watched some tourists playing on the beach and attempting to surf.

Best view: guy teaching his 6 or 7 year old to surf, and watching her giggle gleefully when riding the board in on her knees.

How fun was this? Super fun. Gary Faigin's book, the Artist's Complete Guide to Facial Expression is the basis for his class. Above, notes on the board from day one of a five day workshop. GAGE is the school that Gary started with is wife, Pamela.

Book for your Women

Local famous photographer, Rosanne Olson is off to be interviewed on "Good Morning America" on Sunday morning, the 13th, and airs in Seattle at 7:00 am. Her book is out on shelves now and available on Amazon.com a couple of great articles have been written about it. I recommend it to any and every women, young and old that you care about.

Here's an article from the Seattle PI

and another from the Oregonian

Women's Bodies

Rosanne Olson, a local photographer extraordinaire, is publishing a book, called, This is Who I Am I encourage everyone to check it out, and order a copy.