Wayward Wednesday

"Bluebird Fantasy"

acrylic and mixed media

8 x 10 gallery wrapped canvas
(SOLD)

I'm blaming it on the beautiful weather we're having today.  This painting insisted on being finished, even though I had too many other things to do.  It's more of a sampler, really, because I used this canvas to try out some new ideas again.

Yes, I feel very guilty about all the things I didn't do.  But I feel better about getting the painting done, especially because I was able to play around with more textures and colors, and the subject is totally new to me.  Not a portrait, not an abstract, pure fantasy.  Perfect for an early Spring day!

 The painting is continued on all four sides, including the texture and crackle of the sunflower.

(detail)

(detail)

I don't think I've ever seen a real Bluebird, although I think we have them in some parts of Wisconsin.  I rather like the attitude of this crackled  blue bird!  Chin up!

Now that I have this painting out of the way, I only have about 14 other art projects begging to be worked on.  I think it's time to relax a bit before I get too involved in those projects, so I can take some much-needed time to visit all the other blogs I've been meaning to visit .

:0)
(Which is a good thing, too, because I was going to write a TRUE story tomorrow, April Fool's Day, about how you must never, ever, mistakenly put your purse in the "sink" in a porta-potty (portable WC), because it is NOT a sink.  No, it's definitely not a sink, its a urinal.  I know, because I did this many years ago, and I felt like a FOOL.  And YES, I immediately threw the purse in the trash.  EEEEWWW! So, aren't you glad I won't be writing a story about that tomorrow?)
:0)

***I'm sorry if Blogger isn't letting your comments go through.  I don't know what the problem is, but please try again.  That usually works.***

Spring It On!

Spring has been shy this year. One day of teasing 70's then 40's the very next day.  Alfred Hitchcock on the left and  Tippi Hedren on the right enjoyed a warm day on the porch on Sunday.

I wonder if they miss old Yoshi barking at them.  He loved those birds and would watch them for hours.
Old Yosh' died about this time two years ago and Joe and I still expect him to greet us when we return home.

He just knew there was a secret passageway through the bottom of that table!

Yosh' is buried not far from these porch steps.  He lived to be 15.  105 in dog years. He was a great dog and it has taken us this long to consider getting another one. Joe has been scouting out for red, smooth haired, boy dachshund pups, so it won't be long until Tippi and Al have a furry companion again.

I have a jump on the Spring spruce up this year. I had Mom's house painted last week. She lives right next door. Window trim, doors, shutters, eves and gutters all freshly painted. Mom is as thrilled with it as an 83 year old woman can be!

I walked around our yard with the camera on Sunday. The plants are starting to show signs of Spring.

It stayed warm long enough last week for my day lilies to risk popping up.

The trees are still bare, but show signs of waking up.  See this tiny fleur-de-lis shaped sprout?

These two rows of Bradford Pear are always the first act of the Spring flower show. My dad planted these behind my parent's house about 12 years ago. 

More tender spouts. Fuzzy leaves of  Lamb's Ear.  I took these pictures as the sun was getting low. Shadows were long and I liked how the light brushed the edges of the tiny plants. 

The sun hid for just a moment behind a long skinny cloud. Still a bit more light.

When I turned around to head back inside, I found the moon rising over the house.

It was so bright last night, making eerie moon shadows on the lawn.

Strange seeing it looking so big in a clear blue sky.

A bloom on my Star Magnolia! A tiny tree under our bedroom window. I hardly notice it except in early early Spring when it does this.

In a few weeks these trees will be covered with fresh chartreuse leaves. 

Maybe we'll have a new dachshund pup.

Or maybe I'll have a yard sale!  

These lobster traps have been laying next to the back porch for 10 years.

Somebody out there really needs some lobster traps!

How about these wood covered bottles?  Would you buy these at a yard sale?

I know I would, because I did!  

Now it's time for them to go.
OUT with the old!!!  In with the new!

I hope it's warming up where you are.

Love to you all, 

Ronnie

A dachshund springing into action.

Somewhat silent Sunday

Yes, it's real!

But after reading Bettina's sad and enlightening comment about how these giant rabbits were abused, maybe this little bunny is more appropriate.  (Thank you for the information, Bettina.)

So much to do, so many blogs to visit, so little time.  

 

Be back soon, I hope.

 

 

Earth Hour - Saturday, March 27

"It's not what country you're from,

it's what planet you're from."

~ Ban Ki-Moon

UN Secretary General 

http://www.panda.org/how_you_can_help/earth_hour/

 http://wwf.org/

You learn

Yesterday I was looking through some important papers, when a little newspaper clipping fell out of the envelope which holds our marriage certificate.  The clipping is yellowed with age by now, since it's been safely tucked away in the envelope since the 1980s.

It's a poem I found in a Dear Abby column around the time we were married.  As I read it again yesterday for the first time in over two decades, I realized how differently I interpret the words now that I have experienced so much more of life.

After a While

After a while 

you learn the subtle difference

between holding a hand 

and sharing a life.

And you learn 

that love doesn't mean possession

and company doesn't mean security

and loneliness is universal.

And you learn

that kisses aren't contracts

and presents aren't promises.

And you begin

to accept your defeats

with your head up

and your eyes open,

with the grace of a woman

not the grief of a child.

And you learn

to build your hope

on today,

as the future has a way

of falling apart in mid-flight.

Because tomorrow's ground 

can be too uncertain 

for plans,

yet each step taken

in a new direction

creates a path

toward the promise of a brighter dawn.

And you learn

that even sunshine burns

if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden

and nourish your own soul,

instead of waiting

 for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn

that love,

true love,

always has joys and sorrows,

seems ever present,

yet is never quite the same.

Becoming more than love

and less than love,

so difficult to define.

And you learn

that through it all

you really can endure,

that you really are strong,

that you do have value,

and you learn

and grow.

With every goodbye

you learn.

~ Veronica Shoffstall

How interesting that I save this.  I wonder what the words will mean to me two decades from now.

Wordless Wednesday - Finally!

:0)

Saturday Outing to The Plum Tree !

Come on! Get your hat and coat. It's a field trip!
This time we're heading to one of my favorite haunts,  
The Plum Tree!
Parking around back is GREAT, especially in McDonough!


Flashback:  Here's a shot of their front porch taken last Fall during the McDonough Scarecrow Contest.  The Plum Tree won first prize for their Green Acres display. Eva Gabor looks so at home on the front porch.

The Plum Tree is just a block from the McDonough square and about 10 minutes from my house.
Spring is almost here.

Okay, enough of that.
Stepping inside the door I am hit by this beauty!! Birdcage stuff is the BOMB these days.
Anything BIRD is good!

"HI!  What's new?! The shop looks great!"

But enough chit chat.  This table is calling my name. Pretty hot little rocker too. Hmmmmm.
I'll think about it. Lots more to see...

OOOOO! Check out these dough bowls. Beautiful colors.

So much to see. I hope this lady doesn't notice THAT TABLE!
I'll drape myself across it when she walks by.

 I'm always a sucker for retro treasures to help deck out the St. Marys cottage.

 Let's head down the hallway. There's more!

Lovely bird prints on canvas. These would make nice gifts for the girls.
Let's keep moving.
Joe's watching basketball at home and I still have to get to Michael's for the 40% off artist paints, pens and pencils.
It's a BUSY DAY! HAHAHA ha!

At the end of the hall, a sweet little bedroom full of great goodies and lots of locally handmade things like pillows, quilted items and aprons.  Don't forget to click the pics for a closer look.

HI! That's me taking a picture and waving at myself just as this man came walking in the room and looked at me like I was crazy. Check out that Buster Brown haircut I got last week. I whacked off my ponytail which required an emergency appointment at the beauty shop.  I wouldn't recommend doing this even in your most desperate hour! It's a really bad idea.

Here are the aprons I was talking about. Beautifully made by a local gal. Perfection.

See anything you'd like? Love that sweet tiny trophy displayed inside a lantern.
Victorian prints are always good.

We better make our way back toward the door. OHHH, here are some things Sandy Mastroni might like.
Nice little 50's, tin, plaid picnic basket.

Did I mention that Cindy will ship!!! 
Yes, if you see anything here you like (except furniture) she will SHIP IT TO YOU.
For info on that go here: http://plumtreeantiques.blogspot.com/

One last look at those sweet retro umbrellas.  Cindy and her crew are masters of display.
If it were raining I just might.......OH, I almost forgot!

That beautiful Oak Dropleaf Gate Leg Table!
$169.  Hmmm. Let's ponder this.  What do you think?
My old table nearly tipped over with the grandsons on Thanksgiving.  I sold a painting this week for almost exactly this amount...........
SO, YES!  It's perfect! I'll take it! I'll be back on Tuesday to pick it up!

Have a great week y'all.  Glad you could come along. If you live nearby or even if not (remember The Plum Tree will ship) here's the essential info:
The Plum Tree
58 Griffin Street
McDonough, GA 30253
(770) 954-1928
Open Tues-Sat 11AM to 6 PM
http://plumtreeantiques.blogspot.com/


LOve and all good things,
Ronnie
aka Joe's stove operator

Akh! I've Been Branded!

 

I'm tooting my own horn today.
That's right!  I'm making my own Biddy Brain brand stuff and having a lot of fun doing it.

"Good Baddog" now gives me that creepy look
from this sharp looking mouse pad.

I'm hooked! I'm ordering my own stuff !
I gave this mug to myself on Valentines Day. 

I tell myself I'm doing a great service to the American economy. Um hum. 

I also bought these from myself.  My very own Wiener National shoes.  I wore them to the beauty shop last week.
(I did a DIY by cutting off my own ponytail.)

The beautician said, "Where'd you get those crazy dog shoes?!" 

I said, "I DESIGNED THEM." 

She said, "Well, you might be able to make a livin' designin' shoes, but you sure won't make a livin' cuttin' hair." 

She straightened it out the best she could.  Ironically I now look like Buster Brown from Buster Brown SHOES!

But my shoes are so cool, I don't even have to comb my hair. Nobody ever looks up. 

They talk to the Shoes!

Check out the view as I walk away. I LOVE THESE! There's that Biddy Brain brand again. 

Would you say I'm on an ego trip? 

I'll be designing some Keds High TOPS tomorrow!  Now won't I look good in those?

Love, 

Ronnie