Just Because

Fourth Annual Jingle Bash

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Etsy Dallas’ handmade shopping event. This event just gets bigger and better. So for all of you who missed last year’s event, come on down and join the fun while supporting our local artists and crafters. This year they have a new thing called the Bash Pass, which will allow you to come in and shop before the doors open to the general public. For your Bash Pass and more information go here.

Just Because

Bwahahahahaha!!!

Guaranteed to make kids cry
Guaranteed to make kids cry

Too scary to wear on Halloween. Ever since my eldest niece’s first time to trick or treat nineteen years ago (she’s now 21), this mask has been relegated to permanent storage, never to see the light of day or night ever again. I learned quickly that children seven years and younger are scared out of their wits by this kind of thing. Maybe that’s why I see so many “cute” decorations. I don’t go for cute. Since I can’t decorate the way I want to, I do goodie bags that include odd tricks and treats. That reminds me. It’s 3:10 pm, and I still haven’t pulled those bags together. Until next time, Happy Halloween!

Just Because

Look, But Ignore the Dirty Glass

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This poor red spider lily had been snapped at the base while still in its prime. It’s one of my group of fall lilies that have started to emerge in the front parkway. Unfortunately they aren’t providing me with any photographic moments, because the surrounding English ivy was scorched to death during our seventy plus days of triple digit heat. The ornament you see hanging above and to the right of the vase is a Christmas ornament by local artist Frances Bagley.

Just Because

Meet the New Accessory

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A pink fiberglass pokey. It may be pink, but I guarantee there will be a stink once it’s removed five weeks from now. With no fantastic tale to share, suffice to say that my left hand has a major broken bone, and typing with one hand doesn’t inspire witty copy.

Just Because

Spare, Precise, and Exhilarating

I love ballet. No, not the fussy fairytale classics, but contemporary pieces using the traditional techniques and most importantly, pointe shoes. I usually don’t post someone else’s work unless it’s to illustrate an inspiration for my own projects. This video, “Amelia” (2003), is an exception. With its exquisite and spare sets, lighting, brilliant technical choreography by Edouard Lock, haunting music by David Lang, and the mind-boggling speed and precision of dancers from La La La Human Steps, Amelia is deserving of more than one viewing.

Just Because

High Maintenance Takes Its Toll

This is one doll from my collection of Patsy Ann dolls that I now keep locked up in the attic. Most of the nice looking ones were used in a promotional campaign back in 2001, but I never had the courage to use this particular one until now.
This is one doll from my collection of Patsy Ann dolls that I now keep locked up in the attic. Most of the nice looking ones were used in a promotional campaign back in 2001, but I never had the courage to use this particular one until now.

Ughh! I’m a victim of my own demands. My home’s restoration work started back up a month ago and my paying work load increased threefold. And then there was the urgent need to get all the summer annuals planted ASAP as soon as they became available for purchase and before the first week of June, which required me to spend the last three weekends including the holiday to amend the soil and plant. I will post photos soon. Even though there is progress, I feel disoriented, and after three weekends of outdoor labor, two days of oil-based paint fumes, glue for the VCT flooring, bleach for the newly grouted tile, and scorched eyeballs from long hours at the computer, all my intelligent brain cells have been fried. This is my excuse for not posting lately. Please accept this homeless creature as a stopgap.

Just Because

Venetian Masks

This one, purchased at Mondo Novo, is my favorite, but I have yet to wear it anywhere.
This one, purchased at Mondo Novo, is my favorite, but I have yet to wear it anywhere.

Tomorrow is the last day of Carnivale di Venezia and Mardi Gras, and it’s the perfect time to blog about my collection of gilded Venetian mementos. In 2001, I spent two weeks in Venice. One week to visit La Biennale di Venezia and one week to be the typical tourist in the old Venice. My first mask purchases were lame and touristy, but I finally discovered the real thing, Mondo Novo, in the Dorsoduro section of Venice. Several films have featured their creations with the most famous one being Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut. In 2001, there was little information on the internet about the traditional Venetian mask, but if you were to do a google search today, there’s a plethora of sources. So now my little collection doesn’t seem so special anymore.

Just Because

Not Having Fun, Just Bummed

This image is a stand-in for the vacation I'm NOT experiencing.
This image is a stand-in for the vacation I’m NOT experiencing.

Massive computer and software upgrades have still not been completed. And if I had known in advance that the tech would need to make several visits over a week’s period, I would have left the country for some exotic locale and have them call me when it’s been completed and with no lingering kinks. But, I’m afraid that these kinks followed by cocktails will be a part of my life for the next couple of months.

Since my applications have not been installed (e.g. photoshop with all my camera plugins and other graphic programs), I can’t share my new photos of spring beginning to peep through in my garden. I refuse to use iPhoto to doctor new photos. Only Photoshop will do for me. The above image, used with a blast email sent to my clients informing them of my upcoming vacation way back in 2002, has been resurrected out of my old files. So in the meantime, let’s all maintain loose posture.