Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Wish I'd said that....

The latest thing I wish I'd written (and will read more than once) is here . How easy it is to be Christian in church...in the world, now that's another matter.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

More mural

I've decided to go with 'food' as the theme for the triptych on the large wall. Clarifying my previous post ... The Laird was disturbed by the use of the pyramid as religious symbol, not religion as such. He's sensitive to non-biblical references. I will still use the theme for other work, just not to hang in our home.


Now to choose the three to use. Tomatillo, 'indian' corn and perhaps agave? It is used to produce tequila, yes, but also as a natural sugar substitue. That wouldn't be athentic, tho. Although agave had many uses, this is a recently discovered one. Mangos? Avacado? Guava? Since it will be going on mache tile, I'd best choose something with a rougher texture. As the tomatillo is green, I'll choose another green to balance the set. Tomatillo, corn and avacado then!

Another lovely day to create. The Laird is off to add crappie to the winter menu, I'm always interested in new recipies for those.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Painting

The chairs for the 'mexican cantina' are coming along nicely after the primer disaster. One bright lemon yellow coat on ..one more and it's time for fun! Lots of painter's tape in my future.

I am still searching for just the right 'scene' for the large wall. I don't want to actually mural the wall since I might not stay with the theme for very long. I'm fine with the peppers (papier mache) and the pot covers (again, mache). They can come and go. A mural is fairly permanent. I've decided to do a large set of tiles -3?- and now the dilemma.

Should I do three complimentary but different scenes? I've sketched a 'stone pyramid in jungle', the middle a standard window scene, and the final tile came up a church in the background with the Virgin of Guadalupe's blue robe and roses cascading across the front.
The next set was a single window scene across the three tiles...view of disant pyramid in the jungle on one, becoming village in the valley with the church, the final a group of people coming to visit on the road that twines from the jungle thru the village to the house.
I could do food botanicals... agave, peppers, corn?

Given the Laird's preferences, I'll leave the religious out and keep those sketches for items I intend to sell. But then, if I do end up not liking the 'cantina', I can't sell the set as 'GV' branded. Ah well.

Pictures are coming, soon as I have time to figure that out.

More feasting this afternoon. Off to get ready for that!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Lovely Morning

Cool, crisp, clear bright morning! While winter can be dreary here, the fall is fabulous this year. A wonderful day to give thanks. My oldest son is home safe, his last college Thanksgiving. I'm so proud of him.

A little oatmeal for breakfast to tide us til the feast. Noonish today and then late afternoon tomorrow, perhaps next year we can join the families.

Give great thanks to the Lord for all blessings and trials.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Some links

While the laundry does itself, I thought I'd post a couple of links to preparedness...

First, you can afford it. Not strictly first aid, but more general 'disasters', such as tornados. http://garrett.dyndns.biz/blog/index.php/archives/2006/05/29/56/preparedness-5-dollars-at-a-time/

The CERT program might not be everywhere, or might be called something different in your area. We took it a few years ago and continue to be as active as we can in the program, acting as victims and taking a few brushups when we have time. It is offered through our local Emergency Management agency. https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/

The Red Cross has some good basic lists and plans. http://www.redcross.org/

As you become more skilled at first aid, you will be able to add to your kit(s) so that you can do more in emergency situations.

More as time goes on, I'm sure. This topic is important to us since we've both been 'displaced' before. Standing by helplessly is not a good feeling. It's comforting to know we don't have to worry if the power grid goes down, or other foreseeable problems occur.

Countdown

The Laird returns tonight from his short business trip. My looong list of things to accomplish is whittled down. We shall see what I can knock out the next several hours. Then final preparations for Thanksgiving dinners all over town.

I have just had my hair cut from waist to shoulder length. Good thing? The ends were beginning to feather..but it was long enough for Locks of Love (wigs for cancer patients) ..Bad? The sides are too short to tuck behind my ears (much less shoulders) to keep out of my face! Back to babushkas until after my shower and hairwashing in the morning. Consolation? It WILL grow.

Our city mourns the death of at least 3 young women who died in a schoolbus crash yesterday. A point to ponder: Be prepared. There were only about 40 students on the bus. The hospitals had to call in ALL nursing staff, ambulances were called from surrrounding areas. We were not prepared to deal with even so 'small' an emergency. Scary to think of more major disaster, such as a tornado, which we are likely to experience.

Get trained! Red Cross basic first aid, CERT, any and every opportunity to train will help you aid your own family in the event of large scale emergency. Have a good supply of first aid materials that you know how to use on hand in the car and at home. I'll post some frugal lists for supplies and links to organizations later.

Off to 'do the day'...and rejoice in it!

Monday, November 20, 2006

Hoping

A schoolbus with over 30 students has gone off an overpass a few blocks away. Pray for them and thier families. Many appear critically injured. How awful.