just being susan

Erosion Bundle

2011-01-31T17:57:00.000-05:00

It's the last day of January, the deadline for getting my erosion bundle created and in situ. It's out there - and it was a lot of fun. We are expecting freezing rain this evening - a wonderful environmental experience for my bundle.

So what is an erosion bundle? The idea is simple - create an artistic bundle made from materials of our own choosing and “hang, bury, submerge, or just place” the bundle in the elements. This collaboration is with Mother Nature herself. Check out the website at http://erosionbundles.blogspot.com/

So what did I collect? First some white dotted cotton fabric - the "canvas" for my creation and some colored fabric pieces and ribbons.

I broke the little twigs I collected in the backyard and wrapped them into bundles. There is something very pleasant to me about little bundles.

I thought that the acorns picked up in the woods on my dog walks would create some beautiful color - yes, that is the head of a brush that's been hanging around for decades.

It was just a fluke (is anything really a fluke?) that one of my fabric scraps had Tranquility printed on it - that will be the name of my piece.

I love these birds nest scraps of embroidery floss.

Already these rusty screws and nails are making their mark.

Here is the package wrapped with pieces of copper wire.

It's hanging from a tree in the backyard. Off the ground to keep the doggies, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, fox - whomever might be interested - away. But in a place I can watch as it interacts with the elements.

I've been thinking about leaves...

2011-01-13T19:34:00.000-05:00

embroidering them, imagining them in drawings, printed on fabric? who knows. then I was out walking the dogs an I came across these fine specimens. in the path. thank goodness for the camera in my iphone

a bunch of birds

2011-01-12T19:08:00.000-05:00

little pieces of fabric. such fun.

the kitty evolved out of the cloth

2011-01-10T19:15:00.000-05:00

2011-01-07T05:58:00.003-05:00

Can you see my reflection in the glass below? It's from a mosaic panel at the Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore. More to come about this visit. It was amazing.

Happy New Year! Okay, it's not January 1 - I'm only a few days late. Several bloggers I follow have challenged themselves to a daily project for 2011. One is making a small Paperclay bust every day (I saw it and ordered some Paperclay - I have some projects in mind...) another is making a hand carved stamp daily. I'm not ready to make such a big commitment but I decided - on the spot - to revive my blog. I have many new projects flying through my head so WATCH THIS SPOT.

My patchwork quilt

2009-10-30T17:26:00.000-04:00

There is a story in each square of fabric. Pappa's soft gray flannel pants, Aunt Phoebe's favorite blue blouse, little Teddy's plaid knickers with the knees worn clear through, and Grandpa's old flannel shirt. Not my Grandpa, but someone's. The quilt passed to me from a stranger, it's story unspoken and unknown.

Each piece sewn to it's neighbor, by hand. By whom? Were they young nimble fingers or were they crooked and stiff? Did she sit in the lamp light in the quiet evening the rest of the house asleep and her work done? Was the quilt a gift to a daughter leaving home? Taking with her the memories of family who wore these garments and of the mother who turned discarded clothing into something new and beautiful.

How many shoulders did this quilt warm? Did it rest at the bottom of a narrow bed? Was it spread on a sunny summers field for a picnic? I don't know. What I do know is joy and warmth with this quilt on my lap as I gently add patches of my own, mending and healing the weakened cloth and loosened stitches of a lifetime.

Old Friends

2009-08-25T14:34:00.044-04:00

The best feature of my charming old Arlington bungalow was the woman next door who would become my friend. Margaret and I had a lot of fun together. Sitting on my glider watching people drive by. Talking. Helping each other the way good friends do. Margaret came by my house every weekday and let my dog Emmy out in the yard. She brought in my mail. Sometimes I'd find homemade macaroni and cheese in the refrigerator.

We went together to get her Boxer puppy, Topsy. I prepared income taxes for her and her sister Ginny. I took her places when she stopped driving. It was hard to leave her when Bob and I bought a house together. Margaret's daughter moved her to Casper, Wyoming. I visited her there. Now she lives with her son, Lee, in Florida. Last weekend I flew down for a visit.

Margaret was 92 years old in March. She has beautiful blue eyes but she can't see to read anymore or to do those word puzzles she enjoyed. These days what lights up her eyes is Patsy, her pride and joy.

"I wouldn't take a million dollars for that dog," says Margaret. "No one has offered yet," I reply.

This warm and friendly smile belongs to Margaret's son, Lee. He is a dear. He takes her to the Cracker Barrel for lunch, he lays out clean clothes for her every morning, and he takes good care of her darling, Patsy, too.

This is Lester, Lee's 22 lb. cat. I didn't get a good photograph of him, but he gave my camera a good sniff. Margaret, Lee, Topsy, and Lester live in a well-kept senior community.

Leesburg's claim to fame is the annual Bike Fest attracting over 150,000 motorcycles. Downtown there is not a whole lot to see but I got a kick out of this sign.

On Sunday Margaret and I set off to a charming nearby town for lunch. We enjoyed the drive through the countryside and the interesting shops and homes.

We stopped in the Piglet's Pantry to buy gourmet dog treats for Patsy and to bring home for Oliver and Winston. They were trying to find a good home for a beautiful retired greyhound...tempting, but we have a houseful already.

I was surprised to see that Mount Dora has two daily trains.

"My friend Susan is visiting me today, where she is?" Margaret said scanning the quiet street. I looked at her quizzically. "How interesting. My name is Susan." We talked and talked like old times. "I wish you lived closer," she said. She kept looking for her friend. I realized that she didn't know me. Even if the pieces of our lives don't fit together the way they used to, I think she liked me anew and I loved her as always.

The Critters

2009-07-26T15:27:00.036-04:00

This is handsome JJ. He was my Dad's kitty but when Dad got sick JJ came to live with me. He just walked in the house and took over. When I brought my future husband home, JJ thought Bob was a special gift just for him. JJ is 15 years old and very loud, but sweetness itself.

This kitty hopped into cousin Marla's van while she was feeding feral cats. I visited Marla and fell in love with him. Back home, I asked Bob if he was okay with us adopting another cat. He was cool until he realized I intended driving to Cincinnati to get the cat - he thought I had lost my mind. "There are no homeless cats in Virginia? You need to drive 1,000 miles to get this cat?"

Is he gorgeous or what? We named him after Israel Kamakawiwo'ole or, IZ, the Hawaiian singer we heard in Kauai. We call him Izzy.

On the trails in Palm Desert, California I met hikers with dogs. Standard Poodles, Golden Retrievers, a million mixed breeds. Tall dogs, short ones, curly haired, wiry, pudgy, exuberant, stately, and gentle. Some panting, some barking, lots of tail wagging. I loved them all. "We need a dog," I told Bob. I searched for rescue organizations and came across Friends of Homeless Animals. I saw photos and read profiles (sounds like how I found my Bob on match.com). There we found Oliver.

Oliver is an English setter, specifically, a Llewellin setter, bred for hunting. He had lived outside before meeting us. He was suspicious of stairs. But he quickly settled in. Bob bought us a beautiful fence for the yard. Oliver smiled.

One day Marla called. She had found a kitty, a very special kitty. "You don't have to take him," she said, "But he is wonderful and I think you'd love him." My patient Bob said okay. The kitty flew Delta Airlines from Cincinnati to Dulles Airport. We named him Yo Yo Ma but Bob calls him "orange cat."

He has the best temperament of any cat I've ever known. He never scratches or bites, no matter what. He adores Izzy. He licks him, and sleeps near him. They roll and play and chase each other through the house.

Out of the blue, one day last summer, Bob mentioned that FOHA had another homeless English setter and "maybe we should go see him." He's my husband, right? He knows me. Maybe we should go see another dog? "Yes, sweetie, what a good idea, lets go see the dog."

I called FOHA immediately. We brought Oliver with us to meet him. We tried to walk around with him but he was scared and barking and jumping. One of the volunteers told us that he would calm down in the car and in the house. We brought him home. We named him Winston. He's a gentle soul. He's okay with Oliver being the alpha dog. He's a lover, not a fighter. He greets us with pure joy when we come in the house. We love him very much, too.

Five pets and two humans. I would like a goat. A few chickens. A pony, a cow, and some sheep. Bob says the Reston Association won't allow us to keep farm animals. He says that if he leaves this house it will be to a condo, not a farm. We're staying.

Skype Crazy

2009-07-24T07:10:00.015-04:00

Have you tried Skype? It's sound and video communication over the internet. It's easy and it's free. Log onto www.skype.com and download their software. Enter the location you want to call. Viola! The first time I used it, I was sitting at the kitchen table talking with my friend, Victoria. It was sunny here in Reston, VA and nighttime in Hong Kong. I saw the city lights through her dining room window. She heard the birds singing in our backyard. Amazing. My husband Bob walked in the room and Victoria said "Hello, Bob." Startled, he looked at the computer screen. Victoria was smiling at him.

The photograph below is a screen shot I took during a Skype conversation with Victoria yesterday. That's my messy desktop with the Skype screen in the center. Victoria is behind the Jane Austen book. Can you see me in the lower left corner?

We are thousands of miles away and we can talk face to face. I can't tell you how wonderful that feels. Does this sounds like a Skype commercial? Maybe it is. I am in awe of the world we live in today.

A goose in Mendocino

2009-07-08T20:13:00.012-04:00

She had her eye on us. We walked down the sidewalk, looking in shops, considering where we'd eat lunch. We came upon this charming creature. This photo is a favorite of mine.

A few months ago I experienced an unfortunate "incident" with my laptop. After countless hours organizing photographs I was backing them up when the screen went "poof." All my photographs were gone. The repair shop recovered them. Nearly 60,000 images. The shop, of course, could not distinguish between duplicates, lousy pictures I had deleted, damaged photographs, and my heirloom memories. My project is to review the photographs. Delete the bad ones, again. Organize them into events - yes, we've been here before - then copy them back to the computer. It's tedious work, mostly, but a labor of love. What a treat when I come across a favorite, like this goose. I remember the day in Mendocino. The sun. The company of my wonderful husband, Bob, my darling sister-in-law, Lisa, and my dear brother-in-law, Jack, now gone. The memory is priceless.

Playing with Photoshop Elements

2009-07-06T06:58:00.008-04:00

This spring I took I took a Digital Photography class through Fairfax county. I learned a lot - I'm not sure if I'm applying what I learned but it was a good process. I know my camera better. I'm on speaking terms with the user's manual. And I bought a copy of Photoshop Elements for my MacBook Pro. This current version of Elements is easier to use and although the software has features I've never tried I find the features that I do use accessible and fun.

The photo below has seven hidden critters, can you find them? The original photograph follows.

Using a technique I found in a YouTube tutorial I darkened the sky in the right photo. I like the original better but I liked learning something new.

I don't remember where these french fries came from but I used this image to practice with layers. I made a black and white layer and using the eraser tool I erased some of that layer to reveal the original color beneath.

The class is over but I'm still carrying my camera around taking pictures.

Squam Art Workshop, Part 2

2009-06-17T07:18:00.035-04:00

Choosing photographs to post I yearn for New Hampshire and the sisterhood (forgive me &rew) I enjoyed at Squam Art Workshops.

Our cabin, Kilkare.

Without us knitting, talking, and sharing ideas, stories, and thoughts, our porch doesn't look the same. But the view...

I managed to snap this before digging in!

Did I need this sweet roll with it's flaky crust, cinnamon, and nuts? Just out of the oven, it was warm. My mouth waters thinking about it. Good food is art too, you know.

This simple sign brought me to Maya's class, Botanical Printing. What a dreamy day.

Maya's examples helped us envision what we could achieve.

Her burlap LOVE banner welcomed us.

Maya and me. Can you feel it? We're cut from the same cloth.

One of the prints created in our class.

I wish I could attribute the work with the artists who created them, but I didn't capture names. The work was shown in the dining hall - wonderful creations from the sessions.

This is Liza Hamilton, a wonderful artist and warm human being. Click on the link to see her work.
This is Liza's piece from the three-day Exquisite Lidded Vessel course. I was so tempted to sign up but I needed to experience variety. But next year...

This is from the Block Printing Fabric session. I wanted to attend this class, too. And Creative Characters, Recycled Felting, Nature Inspired DIY Design, and knitting classes, too numerous to mention.

This knitted sweater was casually thrown over a chair. Creativity was everywhere.

It may not look like much, but it's a bag that I made from an old T-shirt in about 30 minutes in Betz White's, Make Your Own Bag class. It's handy and will definitely be used.

Professional looking pieces came out of the Wallpaper Projects class.

Goodbye Squam Lake for 2009.

Squam Art Workshop, Day 1

2009-06-14T06:17:00.045-04:00

Do you remember the movie, On Golden Pond? It was filmed at Squam Lake in New Hampshire. It is an awesome place and home to the Rockywold-Deephaven Camps and the Squam Art Workshops.

We followed the signs to register and were welcomed by smiling faces, maps, personal schedules, goody bags, and jars of hand picked flowers.

I loved the railing on these stairs. Throughout the camps branches are used as railings and chair legs, very charming.

I shared a room with two friends. This is my bed, next to the windows. It was a wonderfully cool spot and I could hear the loons on the lake at night calling to each other. We had a total of 9 women in our cabin, wonderful, creative, friendly people. We got to know each other very well sharing one shower.

My goody bag had a skein of yarn, a book about Rockywold-Deephaven, the latest Martha Stewart Living magazine, a pattern (and yarn) for a little pin, and lots of other cool things.

Thursday morning was brisk and beautiful. We investigated the walking paths in the woods and around the lake. Thank goodness for my Off Deep Woods insect repellent.

I loved the canopy of green over the road. Although there were 125 attendees plus instructors, kitchen help, and assorted camp personnel it was possible to roam the woods and still feel totally alone.

My first class was Napkins, Placemats & Tablerunner with Catherine Slye. Our cabin was on the water with a beautiful view and a welcoming fire had been set to take out the chill.

We took a break and snapped some photos. On the left is my friend Ruthann, next is Catherine, our class instructor, me, and then Alison, another student.

I can't believe how much we accomplished in one day! I learned a lot. Here are the two cloth napkins that I made and beneath them my crazy quilted placemat. It was so much fun. We used repurposed fabrics that Catherine collected and brought with her, as well as some that Alison contributed (thank you). We followed a basic approach but had the freedom to create our own designs.

I love the colors Ruthann chose for her placemat.

This is a detail from Alison's placemat. She stitched around a flower printed on her fabric. Very chic.

I took some pictures on the way back from class. I would have loved to take a canoe out on the lake.

All of the cabins were supplied with split wood for the fireplaces as well as blocks of ice for our icebox. Yes, a real icebox.

This is the Rockywold Dining Hall where we had one great meal after another. So nice to have great food, lots of healthy choices (and desserts) waiting for us and we didn't have to do the dishes either. We just ate. And talked. And looked at the works in process from our workshops.

I think I started eating this before I remembered to take the picture. The fish had a mango salsa on top - wonderful.

Yeah, well, I could not resist the brownies. One day macaroons, one day Boston cream pie, the next day brownies. And ice cream every day.

At the back of the Dining Hall tables were set up to show the work we were doing. At lunch the pieces were partially completed and many were done at the end of the day. We all crowded around to see what everyone else was doing. I think the hardest thing about this event was choosing among the wonderful course options. Below is a bag made in the class, Coffee Sack Hack, repurposing with burlap. So nice!

The paper below is from the Color Class.

The class, Create a Painting in a Day was another course I would have liked to have taken. I like the colors and composition of this painting.

Whew! You've made it half way through the photos I plan on posting. Can you feel the excitement, the creative energy, the fun? I carried a notebook with me jotting down ideas from classes, details, techniques, email addresses of new friends, everything I needed to remember besides the photographs. I plan on continuing with this "idea journal" to capture the energy that I still feel from SAW.

Jewell and the Beanstalk

2009-06-13T11:35:00.010-04:00

The first leg of our journey to Squam Art Workshop was a flight into Boston's Logan airport where we rented a car. Luggage and art supplies stowed, we headed north. Bob loaned me his GPS and right around Manchester, New Hampshire we decided it was time for lunch. The first place the GPS sent us was a golf course. No kidding! How did Bob program that in? It was actually the restaurant in the club house but we decided we could do better. The name Jewell and the Beanstalk popped up and sounded cool. We drove through a residential area with lovely old wooden homes and came across the restaurant. What a find!

When I spotted this sign in the front window I knew it was our place.

The restaurant is darling with an assortment of wooden tables, a big sign with specials, and lots of handmade crafts by local artisans.

I didn't buy a bracelet but I thought if I took a picture I'd be motivated to make one myself when I got home. Behind the bracelets is a small painting I really liked.

There were several framed embroidered pieces, too. I signed up for two sewing classes at Squam and this got me in the mood.

Food? Did I mention the food? It was yummy. I had one of the specials, oriental chicken with peanut sauce. I guess I was really hungry. Hey, the driver has to keep up her strength.

I skipped dessert but it was very tempting...

Each table had a simple arrangement of fresh flowers.

We headed back to the car with smiles on our faces and full tummies.

Reston Farm Market

2009-05-24T08:43:00.008-04:00

I always look forward to Saturday mornings at the Reston Farm Market. This was my first visit in 2009. Yum! I brought a bag, some cash, my neighbor Ruth Ann, and my camera.

Can you believe these tomatoes? Yes, it's too early in the season for the homegrown fruit that I'll make Gazpacho out of, Bob's all time favorite soup. I think these are hot house tomatoes but grown locally. Can you see my faint ©susanbagshaw watermark on the photo? This was my first experiment using Photoshop Elements to protect my images.

Even though we try to get to the market early, we walked the dogs for an hour first and so we encountered some of the crowds. Colorful. All ages. Mellow. These people are snacking on the samples the vendors put out to tempt us...

I like these little cucumbers. But mostly I liked the blue plate, the design of the circles, and the texture of the sprinkled salt. Makes your mouth water, doesn't it?

I think there are signs that say "No dogs allowed" but that couldn't apply to little Mabel. She was adorable! She has her own view of the market among all the legs and feet surrounding her.

I think this lady tasted the cucumbers in the dish and decided she needed to bring some home.

The onions in the grocery store never look as fresh and juicy as these do. I can smell them just looking at this photograph.

I didn't buy any plants this time but every Saturday there are annuals and perennials and cut flowers. Very fresh and healthy.

These were the first strawberries that I saw at the market and after sniffing around all of the stalls I came back and bought these. They smell heavenly. The color was amazing. Wonderful on our cereal this morning.

Cherry Blossoms

2009-05-12T20:42:00.017-04:00

Spring is glorious in Washington D.C. Regardless of what kind of winter we've had, cold and rainy, blustery and snowy, or just long and dreary we ache for the warmth, the green, the possibilities and hope of springtime. Just like predictions for presidential elections, Washingtonian's follow forecasts of when our cherry blossoms will bloom. The Yoshino cherry blossoms peak bloom at different times due to the weather. The cherry blossom festival even has it's own website. Imagine that!

The trees were a gift of friendship to the United States from the people of Japan in 1912. The blossom is a symbol equated with the transience of human life and epitomizes the transformations the Japanese culture has undergone through the ages.

A month ago, Bob and I went downtown to take pictures of the blossoms. I loved roaming around with my camera like a tourist instead of a Washington native. I've been busy. The days have flown by. Today I decided it was better to post them as they are. Summer is around the corner.

We walked around the tidal basin and shot a few pictures of the Jefferson Memorial. It was early in the morning and already there were dozens of people crowding the sidewalks. The blossoms peak for only a few days and then litter the ground with their petals.
The hardest thing about posting to the blog is deciding which photos to include. I post less than a tenth of the pictures I shoot. Which are more interesting? Do they tell a story?

Who could resist a shot of the Washington Monument? It's practically a tradition. We reminisced about the days when you could climb the stairs to the top.

Can you see the other photographers and tourists lining the pathway along the left side of the image? We worked hard not to take pictures of each other!

The trees are green now. These photographs will remind me of the fleeting moments of delicate blossoms until next year.

Ducks

2009-04-01T17:01:00.000-04:00

Why take more than one or two pictures of ducks? Or roosters? Or flamingos? It's hard to explain. In Kauai, I couldn't get enough of the roosters and at Disney it was the pink flamingos. When I think of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas it's all about the flamboyant male peacocks. I take dozens and dozens and dozens of photographs. I delete the really bad ones. The blurry ones. The shots that are just not right. If I'm lucky I find a few that make me smile and remember.

Sometimes I capture reflections on the water. When the light is just right and the ducks move the water into ripples.

I like to see them in pairs. They are committed couples. They work together. The colors on the males are bright, shimmering, and high contrast. The females seem softer, gentler.

Honestly, can I tell them apart? No, but it doesn't matter. I enjoy watching them do what ducks do. Move across the water, find a snack to eat, groom themselves, just be.

Look at the black-banded blue stripe on her side. She is beautiful.

I'm not sure what he's after under his wing. But the water is clear and I can see one of his webbed feet.

I loved watching the black swan. The arch of his neck. His red beak. He's fearless. When the park workers came to clean the pond all the other birds moved away. Not this guy. He continued going about his black swan business.

Sometimes the reflections remind me of impressionist paintings. The colors and the abstract shapes.

Her feathers are soft and wonderful. I didn't want to get any closer, she seemed rather comfortable.

Now this big guy has a stripe on his face like a Nike running shoe.

Okay, I brought some stale bread with me and she is in a big hurry to get her share!

I wasn't the only one in the park with a camera. And a lot of people shared their lunch with these guys.

Okay, I think she is my favorite one. Today, anyway.

The contrasts are wonderful. Why is the water so dark blue?

I love this fat white duck. He's funny. He's serious.
Was that a lot of pictures of ducks? It's only a fraction of the ones I kept. I know I'll take more.

College of the Desert Street Fair

2009-03-19T21:16:00.057-04:00

It is impossible to visit Palm Desert and not spend a few hours at the College of the Desert Street Fair. With mountains in the distance, blue skies, palm trees, music, lots of interesting sights. Very interesting. Stay with me, I'll introduce you to some really wild characters.

The College of the Desert is located on Monterey Avenue in Palm Desert. Every Saturday and Sunday morning they host a street fair with over 300 vendors and a wide (and wild) selection of merchandise, arts and crafts, and produce that you didn't know you couldn't live without. The vendors come from all over and arrive long before the sun comes up to set up their stalls. There is a waiting list to be a College of the Desert vendor! Free parking, free admission, and free entertainment. Plastic chairs scattered along the way so you can rest your feet, people watch, and get your strength back to meander through another row. This sign says it all.

I followed the sound of music and discovered a man with his harp. Yes, the real deal. I loved his red ruffled shirt. The sunglasses completed his ensemble.

Besides clothing and shoes, gadgets and gizmos, jewelry and purses, lawn ornaments and golf gear, dolls and toys - whew - there's the food! Pass nearby and catch the aroma of hot dogs.

The guy on the right has a waffle with whipped cream and strawberries on top. I resisted. My hands were already busy carrying bags.

The produce is beautiful. Palm Desert is surrounded by farmland and these artichokes were just picked.

Fresh fruit and dried fruit. After eating raisins from the market stands - plump and moist and sweet - I can't go back to the little dry raisins from a box on the grocery shelf. I bought enough dried fruit to bring back home, share with friends and family, and last until our next trip. Did you know you could freeze dried fruit? It works wonderfully for raisins, cranberries, and dates, too.

The sign at the entrance says "No dogs allowed at the fair" but it's regularly ignored and never enforced. This little guy was carried in a motorized cart with his owner. It seems like everyone in Palm Desert has a dog. There are vendors who carry nothing but dog accessories, outfits, beds, bejeweled collars, you name it.

Save your energy for shopping. Catch a free ride from the parking lot. Or after a few hours roaming the fair you can ride back to your car with your purchases.

Clearly these ladies are arriving from the parking lot. How do I know? They have no shopping bags.

Can I capture the essence of the street fair with a few pictures? No, you'll have to go and see for yourself. Don't miss the pink tutu's or the flip flops in every color.

Take a look at the ladies purses and the eyeglass cases in wild animal prints.

It's not just the stuff that you shouldn't miss, it's the way it's laid out, the characters who choose this lifestyle of setting up a stall, spending the day selling in the sun, just to pack up at days end. It's the shoppers of every age, smiling, serious, singles and in groups. Different faces every visit. I can't get enough of them.

Printing Workshop in 29 Palms

2009-03-14T12:05:00.049-04:00

We've been traveling to the Palm Springs area for years now. I'll never tire of the desert. Hiking, daydreaming, taking photos. Exploring. Meeting people and discovering new places. I searched the web for something new for this trip and found the 29 Palms Creative Center & Gallery.

What a cool place. The town of 29 Palms is an easy hour and a half drive from Palm Desert but feels like a different world. I passed Joshua Tree National Park along the way; it took all my self-control not to stop, but I'd arranged a one-on-one printmaking class with Gretchen Grunt, artist, and owner of the Creative Center. Her website showed group classes but none that coincided with our trip. She offers individual instruction so I booked the day.

The Gallery had an opening the night before, the eclectic mixed media work of Anna Houghton. The painting on the wall is one of Anna's children. Gretchen was cleaning up when I arrived. With a cup of spicy ginger tea in hand we assembled the materials we'd need for the day. She opened this tool box full of pots of ink and I was hooked.

We set up right in the front room. Sunlight streaming in the window. Gretchen scooped colors of Akua water-based ink onto a glass topped table. She laid out brayers of different widths and jars of paint brushes.

Ah, the press. Although I was interested in learning a process that I could continue at home, I fell in love with her beautiful printing press. We also used a pin roller which is much less expensive than the large press, but I was not as satisfied with the results. For many of my prints I used a piece of string along with the ink. I loved what it did to the page and I was especially enamored with the embossing that I got from the press. Sigh. I know I'll be searching eBay and craigs list for a used press.

Gretchen demonstrated the process for making a monotype. Simply, we applied ink to a plexiglas plate using a variety of tools, placed paper on the plate, covered the paper with layers of thick felt and then using the printing press, rolled over the paper and plate. The ink transfers to the paper. Voila. Monotype is a misleading term because we made a second or even third image with the same inked plate. These additional prints are called "ghosts." They're more subtle than the original image. In many cases I liked them better. Gretchen stretched out a kind-of clothesline across the room. We used old wooden clothes pins to hang the finished (or soon to be finished) prints up on the line. I really enjoyed walking up and looking at my pieces. Most of the time I used a smaller plate. It just felt right. Gretchen encouraged me to make larger prints and I did do a few.

I liked this one in particular. It has an original print and then a ghost on top of it.

I addition to the monotype process we incorporated collage. I picked out interesting pieces from a huge box of scraps and then went outside to spray 3M Super 77 adhesive on the back of my scraps (yes, wearing a face mask). For the collage, we inked a plate and then laid the scraps with adhesive, glue side up, on top of the inked plate. Then added the paper, rolled the press, and held our breath as we peeled the paper off to see the results. I liked this one.

It was a great day. Tiring, exciting, and peaceful, too. I learned a lot. Halfway through we headed off to the 29 Palms Inn, owned by Gretchen's mother. We had a great lunch outside in the sun next to the pool. We chatted with folks at the other tables. We didn't rush. We strolled back to the center, worked the rest of the afternoon, and then packed up my prints so I could head back to Palm Desert.

This is a photo of Gretchen.

I had to stop on the return trip and snap a few photos of a Joshua Tree. They are really wonderful to look at and so otherworldly.

I drove back to Palm Desert listening to a local radio station and making mental notes of places to explore and things to do; hiking in Joshua Tree, of course, and the Morongo Canyon Preserve; making a blog posting of the printmaking adventure, thinking of ways to explore printing back at home - specifically on fabric. I'm smiling thinking of this now. What I'm trying to say is that I absolutely enjoyed this in different ways at different times. It was fun to discover the Creative Center on the web; to look forward to the day, and early in the morning, to drive out to 29 Palms without knowing what it would be like. I had a great day printing. And I came home a changed person for what I had seen and done. Isn't life grand?

Beads, beads, beads

2009-03-08T16:37:00.031-04:00

It's like magic. We arrive in Palm Desert and I'm drawn to The Hacienda Anura Bead Company. The shop is like a pirates treasure, baskets of beads, all colors and sizes, handmade bobbles, carvings, semi-precious stones, and dreamy little trinkets. I was looking for turquoise beads to string for my mother. Last year the shop's owner, Claire, taught me how to string pearls. This is what I bought, aren't they gorgeous?

I couldn't help but take photos of the bead collection. They're on the walls, the tables, in baskets and bins - everywhere!

I think this could be an abstract painting or a wild printed fabric.

And these look almost edible.

This is Claire. See the drawing on the wall? That's Licken, Claire's doberman, a grand old gal. I brought the drawing to Claire when we were here in November. I was so pleased to see it on the wall.

Why do I make jewelry? Part of the joy is imagining the project, rolling it around in my mind before it's ever drawn on paper. Then there's the joy of finding just the right beads or stone. Part of the joy is the process, tying the knots or hammering the silver. There is the joy of finishing. And the great joy of giving it away and seeing the finished product worn.

Desert Holocaust Memorial

2009-03-08T09:30:00.043-04:00

The sun was shining brightly, the air warm, and yet the light posts depicting barbed wire fences surrounding Nazi concentration camps chilled me. The trees bordering the memorial represent life outside the camps. With trepidation, I stepped inside the circle.
My mind wandered to Luxembourg visiting my friend, Victoria. We traveled together to Germany. With dread, I visited Dauchau, the Nazi concentration camp outside of Munich. Like today, the sun was bright. Tourists strolled and smiled. My heart pounds and my palms are damp remembering. That's what these memorials are for, remembering the horror and remembering those who lived and died.
I wanted to turn my eyes away from the larger than life sculpture in the center of the circle. The faces spoke to me and brought tears to my eyes. Each image representing those who suffered greatly, millions of innocent people. With numbers that large - millions - it's hard for me to grasp. But when I think of each person. Each individual. Like me, or my mother or father, my sister or brother, I ache for them. Each one of those millions who are gone.
I left with few photos. But with hope for the future and gratitude for my life and freedom.

Eisenhower Peak

2009-03-05T19:39:00.036-05:00

This is a white-tailed Antelope squirrel. He lives in the desert. Is he adorable or what? We met him early in our hike to the Eisenhower Peak. Yes, "we." Bob put golf aside for the day and joined me for the hike. The Eisenhower Peak loop is a 6-mile hike, moderate in intensity, with an elevation gain of 700 feet. It starts out in The Living Desert.

The first leg of the hike is a rocky canyon. Very rocky. Picture wash-walking and boulder-hopping. It is very pretty and the weather was perfect. We wore hiking boots and carried plenty of water. Adequate water is a necessity for desert hiking. And sunscreen, a hat, and a map, too.
I turned around to see where we had been and caught this view of the mountains. When I hike alone (especially if I'm going in and out the same way) I have the habit of turning around every so often to see what the trail looks like from the other direction. That way the trail looks familiar when I turn around to come back. This can be critical - especially if there are choices along the way - like a fork in the trail. Check out the green at the center of the photo, that's a golf course. Bob notices all of the golf courses.
March is a great time to be in the desert. I love the wildflowers. The winter rain provided enough moisture to stimulate growth.
This paddle cactus is about to bloom. Tempting, but I won't be taking this hike again in a few days to see it open up. So many hikes, I just can't do the same one twice in one trip.
The rocks in this area have a beautiful, rich, reddish brown color. These plants and flowers tucked themselves into a crevice that probably catches water when it rains.
It's hard not to just look at the sky. Just before the midway point the trail widened a bit. And so did the sky. Such a beautiful blue.
We made it up to the picnic tables - that's the mid-way point. Great views. We unloaded our packs and snacks (apples, nuts, cookies) and rested a bit before heading down along the ridge leg of the loop.
I like this sign. Sometimes in life you get just the right amount of guidance. Trail one way, home the other. Sweet.
Great yellow desert flowers. I think this is from the Brittlebush.
We looked and looked for the Bighorn sheep. We saw lots of their hoof prints on the dusty trail. No sign of the bashful critters until we caught sight of this guy. He is actually a "resident" at The Living Desert.
Wonderful! We left The Living Desert and headed directly to Sherman's Deli. Wow! What a great place. They put dill pickle spears and sauerkraut on the table while you wait for your order (my mouth is watering just thinking about it). I should have taken a picture of the bakery counter. Mile-high cakes and pies. Napoleons. Eclairs. Iced brownies. I was up at the counter three times during our lunch - scanning and asking questions. Yes, I weakened and got a cream puff. I will be eating it for days, it's huge, but the most heavenly confection. A perfect ending to a perfect day.

Horsethief Creek

2009-03-05T07:53:00.025-05:00

Beautiful blue sky. Imagine the sound of a strong wind. I'm glad I brought a long-sleeved shirt. The hike is along the Cactus Spring Trail, part of the Santa Rosa Wilderness (crossing into the San Bernardino National Forest). The trailhead is at 4,000 feet (it was 62 degrees when I got out of the car) and descends about 400 feet along a rocky, roller-coaster trail. Bighorn sheep inhabit this area. I kept my eyes on the hills (when I wasn't watching my feet) but I didn't see one. They have a reputation for being extremely shy.

A little ways from the trailhead I came upon this box. Signing in constitutes my wilderness permit.
I'm the last signature on the page. Not much traffic on this trail. I was the only hiker yesterday. That's fine with me. I prefer the less frequently traveled trails.
Along with a lot of water in my CamelBak pack, I carry two laminated folders. One has pictures of Southwestern desert plants and flowers. The other is an introduction to tracks and signs of familiar North American species. It includes drawings of animals and their foot prints, signs of animals (like chewed nuts or scratch marks on trees) and drawings of scat. I saw lots of little lizards. One desert squirrel, a tiny bunny, some birds, and some bugs. This is a paddle cactus (Prickly Pear). They were all around this trail. (Hint: Cactus Spring Trail.)
The Agave (Century Plant) were plentiful. Many were blooming, too. Early in the hike I passed an abandoned, dolomite mine. Rusty old equipment decaying in the sun. Just before the end of the trail are the remains of an old corral made of dried manzanita. I imagined the horses that were kept there near the water at Horsethief Creek.
I always take a photo when I reach the end of the trail. Proof that I made it? This is Horsethief Creek. Cottonwood and sycamore trees line the creek bed. It's about 2.5 miles from the trailhead. I stopped, sat on a large rock, ate my apple, and felt proud of myself for reaching my destination.

I think the shadows on these dried branches are wonderful, almost mystical. The colors are interesting, too.
This Manzanita has the most beautiful red bark.
Back at the car I took off my heavy hiking boots, put flip flops on, and headed back home. The views from the side of the road were awesome.
The colors are amazing - pinks and purple and blue.
The snow is still on the peaks.
It was a great hike and a beautiful day. This is a gorgeous part of the country to explore. When I'm out in the quiet and solitude of the wilderness it's hard to believe that civilization is just a few miles away.

Let's try this again.

2009-03-04T10:40:00.000-05:00

Whoops! I must have pressed that Publish Post button too quickly, ah, I will get the hang of this soon, I hope. Here is a photo of Highway 74 on the way up to my hike yesterday. Nowhere in the description of the hike in my "120 Great Hikes in and near Palm Springs" book did it say that the 14 miles up on Highway 74 were winding, curving, breathtaking, heart-pounding, and in my case, fear inspiring. Usually, the heart pounding bit doesn't begin until quite a while into my hike...when the path has mysteriously disappeared and all of the rocks look the same.

I have not figured out how to add photos here below, each time I add one it goes above the previous one and throws off my story. So I will go ahead and post this and then try to figure out the next step.

In the beginning...

2009-03-04T10:34:00.002-05:00

My first post. We are in Palm Desert, California. Mister B is out golfing and I am here at the kitchen table figuring out this blogging thing. On Monday, we delivered Oliver and Winston, our beautiful English Setters