Bodhisartva ..... Art/Spirit/Life

Can't Be Helped Now....

I received a very delightful and unexpected gift on Mother's Day - one of those great moments when you feel loved and known and so close to tears.  It was an old children's book with a wonderful cover and lovely illustrations by John R. Neill.  This is Peter, the hero.

But first, a story (this is a storybook after all).

You must know "The Wizard of Oz" with Judy Garland. But, did you ever see "Return to Oz"?  My daughters watched it with us dozens and dozens of times.  In it, Dorothy returns to Oz (duh) and meets old friends and new, including our favorite, Jack Pumpkinhead.

Poor Jack, he's an endearing character, but he keeps screwing up.  He is after all, a Pumpkinhead.  But Dorothy is patient and when he makes a major goof, she just shrugs her shoulders and says, "Can't be helped now, Jack Pumpkinhead".

So, of course, you know what my girls heard everytime somebody in the family broke something, forgot something, goofed up in some way, LOL.  Of course, most of the time, I was humming, "If I Only Had a Brain"... 

This is the very very special book Sara gave me for Mother's Day.  How she found it, I have no idea.  But I am touched and grateful. And in the mood to watch a certain movie....

 

 

The Return of the Flea Market

Oh, Flea Market, I have missed thee!  For all kinds of reasons, I have not been at my usual haunts on Sunday mornings much at all since January.  But today, ah, today!  Long Beach Flea Market (really the best) with my DH - who gave me lots of room to roam and even brought me a cold drink halfway through. What a prince!

It does seem rather monochromatic, but you take what you can get.  I love the large thread holders and that box holds - count them - 144 spools of creamy white thread!  As usual, there is a coin purse, some rulers and old rubber stamps. You may notice that one rubber stamp and the metal number are both "3" - my magic number. 

I'm so excited that I found two things I can use for my jewelry displays at art shows. This is pretty cool - rusty and pretty large - with a hole at the top where I can mount a sign or flag of some kind.  In the first picture, you can also see something leaning against it that will work for hanging necklaces.

I do love my little red vintage metal box - perfect for carrying tools for bookbinding or jewelry making.  

The "Field Book" is an old leather bound journal with surveying notes.  All in all a lovely haul...but OH, the things I left behind!

How about you?  Did you do any flea markets, junk sales or yard sales this weekend?

Mother's Day Redux

Now that I have my camera in gear, I can share another part of my lovely Mother's Day.  High Tea on the front porch!

My DH and DD went out for supplies, but how could I know they would set up this?  A beautiful day, a lovely table, and just see what goodies!

It was as delicious as it looks.  Sara gave me a very special gift, but that is a story for another post.

 

Happy Mother's Day

I wish you all a wonderful and loving Mother's Day.  

May it be full of joy in the best job in the world!

 

But mostly, blessings to my own Mom - miss you so much.

Special Birthday

It's the day before Mother's Day and it's also the birthday of one of life's special people.  

Let's see.  Great mother (gotta mention that because tomorrow is THAT day).  Warm and loving sister (and sister-in-law, in my case).  Cries at the drop of a hat (LOVE that about her).  Treasures family above all.  Supports every one in all their creative endeavors.

Fun-loving, fun-sharing, big bright smile and giant laugh. 

I will never run out of praise and admiration and love for this woman.

Happy Birthday, Debbie-Do.  

You are the joyful glue that holds the family together.

Love you.

 

May Day Delight

Oh, how I love May Day!  I don't remember how old I was when first I learned of this tradition.  Do you know it?  

Get up early while the world is still asleep but the sun is beginning to brighten the sky.  Gather flowers and herbs and greenery from wherever you can.  Bundle them into a little package of color and tie it to the doorknob of your friend, the porch of your neighbor - or your daughter's bedroom door.

Every year, I try to do something a little bit different.  This year, it was a tiny tin pail tied with seam binding ribbon.  Some years, it is a cone or a canning jar or a basket.  I just wish some of my dear friends lived close enough for me to reach their doorways as well.

Here - this one is for you.  Happy May Day!

Sometimes You Just Need a Break

Yep, sometimes you just need a break - from your work, your troubles, your own space even.  Lucky me - I know just where to go.  But a trip to Malibu, nice as it is, wouldn't mean as much without my dearest friend Gina.  She knows me so well; she even sees inside me somewhat magically to the center.  And I am myself with her.

She feeds me, pours the wine, lends an ear and a shoulder - and even somehow convinces me that I like dogs as well as cats.  Hello, Bentley, my dear.

There is a kind of peace that sneaks in when you are just sitting with a kindred spirit, painting, talking, laughing, sharing and working in your journals together.  

I am truly blessed in so many ways to have such a wonderful person in my life. Thank you, Gina.

Family Craziness - Part III

Staying on the nephew theme....

We visited nephew Ben at his workplace, but honestly, I think it is a playplace. Does your office have a ping pong table and a bar?  Not to mention a Sasquatch?  

His studio is about to launch a new Disney animation, on April 30 - here are some of the languages it will be in. They don't all translate exactly to "Motorcity" - see the post-it that says, "Paradise Car"?

Check out the preview but don't have your volume turned up too high.  I'm getting too old for this.

Motorcity here we come.... 

I lied.

I did.  I lied.  I actually watched the Long Beach Grand Prix online Sunday.  Brian qualified at #9 which is extremely good in a field of 38 cars.  I think I saw his car as they lined up to await the flag.

I did not see him again and there is a reason for that. I am glad I did not see him again.

He completely lost his brakes, going 135 mph, heading into a curve.  As he put it, "this could have been bad".  Ya think? I'm glad I didn't see it happen, especially in real time.

No worries.  He and the car are unscathed.  My nerves, however, are not.  Glad he is having fun, however.

Family Craziness - Part II

With 8 siblings and numerous nieces and nephews, I suppose it was only a matter of time before more than one of them arrived to stay with me.  Sister Mary (#7 of 9) brought her three to visit California for a week.  It's been hectic, but fun - and they've seen more of L.A. than I have!

The first stop, naturally.

"Did" downtown on arrival day; Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier the next.  Easter Sunday found us at Paradise Cove.

Nags Head West.  Beach foolishness.

"I am krushing your head....".

Easter rabbit in the sun.

...and the beauty.

Given a choice and the right weather, I think they would have preferred to go to the beach every day.