Dear Mr. President,
Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the "Patriotic Retirement Plan"

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.

If more money is needed, have all members in Congress pay their taxes.

Mr. President, while you're at it, make Congress retire on Social Security and Medicare. I'll bet both programs would be fixed pronto!
You know this idea almost sounds like it would work! HAHAHA!

I promise I will never be unimpressed by the beauty around me!

While gathering a stack of newly finished drawings and paintings to stash in my portfolio; I looked and realized that the pile itself was an art creation, a painting in action!


My birthday has come and gone and along with it, a great evening at the local Italian restaurant with wonderful friends. It was such an enjoyable evening that I think it was mutually decided by all that we should do this more often. I get so wrapped up in accomplishing things for the shop or working at the shops; that I forget to nurture myself as a person! I think it shall become my new goal to remember me. To take care of me as I would a friend or family member. We will see how that journey goes....

The wind is fiercely howling tonight, shaking the house, making strange creaking noises and causing me unnamed anxieties. I do not know what it is about wind and blinking electricity but it puts me on the edge of a near panic state. It must date from the many years I lived on the beach here when I was always worried that the water would come over the bulkhead and try to wash the cabin away ( wait - that did happen - more than once ) or that trees would fall everywhere and block the road and start electrical fires ( wait - that also happened ) or that the wind would blow in a window or push the walls in ( wait - that happened too ).. no wonder the wind causes me anxiety! I have lived it!

I could not resist this handsome fellow who is so politely waiting for lunch or dinner. Anyone who knows me knows of my fascination with bears. Not cute cuddly bear stories or those of the stuffed teddy kind but real life tales of great beardom and behavior. Oh, and although I have never done it; I am equally fascinated with mountain climbing!

What does this have to do with beads? Nothing. It is just another insightful look into Lois' wild, wacky world!

It starts tomorrow at 10 am sharp, the bead shop's annual 30% off everything except books sale! Be there or be bead-less!

Thank you now and forever more to veterans past and present.

Here he is the birthday boy in his crown of golden paper; a gift from Gina. Isn't he lovely?



I look at this picture and want to weep at the sheer beauty of a cleared, absolutely clean office desk! It is the first time, since the last time, no, seriously, the first time in months that I am caught up on my paperwork! The desk is cleared, dusted and ready for the next set of chores. It may not be this clear again for months! See a rainy day coupled with no desire to be in the studio makes me find something to do in the office. Desperate times, desperate measures!