This morning was beautiful! Our walk took us by plants that were in their beginning stages of turning color for fall. Roses were a papery watercolor version of their summer selves. Crows searched the soccer field in a grid of crime scene investigation and I was on hand to see it all. I feel energized in the fall, full of creative energy and bountiful hopes for the coming months of serious studio work. Now, I am finishing the last of my dreaded office work before heading into the shop to begin a day of socializing; speaking with customers and fellow merchants, gabbing with friends, primping the classroom slash work room for tomorrow night's gallery walk; just the usual bustle of daily happenings in the world of Lois. Have a great day, my friends!

Today, a hot & blustery first day of fall............................

Days are flying by just like the seagull feathers that float down from the roof tops all over the downtown streets and into the building lobbies.  I sleep at night, rise in the morning, head to work and in a moment as quick as the intake of a breath, the day is gone. I am loving spending more time in my shop. Talking with customers, fussing with displays, creating new arrangements of treasured beads and bringing to life the fantasies I had of owning a shop from the time I was a little girl playing store in my parent's garage.

I have made so many new charms and religious pieces of late. With the mailman bringing a whole package of my new castings today; I am tempted to burn the midnight oil and make things.  I will get pictures up soon. Right now I am planning on Sunday being a studio day so perhaps I will begin the challenge of photographing  silver charms along with making new jewelry from the freshest charm designs. Hot from the casting process!

Today, I helped a friend set up a blog and in the process I totally challenged this old brain of mine. Too bad brain exercise does not wear off calories. In any event, here is a picture of her upcoming book. I can hardly wait to read it and I feel lucky to have such a well traveled, smart and talented friend!

Fifteen Years

Please mom, it's early, stop taking pictures!

Fifteen years ago today my youngest son ( of two ) arrived. It was a long day of labor and barfing and being overwhelmed by all the attention from the doctor ( who I adored ), nurses and a few friends. Phil never once left my side and my friend Yvonne, I think the whole thing scared the bejesus out of her, ran errands for Phil to get him food and O'Douls. I never had a moment to be alone with my husband, a moment to think, catch my breath, take in all that was happening. I did have the good hospital room though, everyone told me so. It has a view clear to downtown, over soft still brown hills and grass all the way to the marina and the waters beyond. Jacob came into the world amongst comments from my attendees of how long his fingers were in mid afternoon, on a Saturday. Didn't he know that I am in retail and ALWAYS work Saturdays? He changed my life, Phil's life, the lives of all of us and for me, he made everything just that much more sweeter. Now, let's see if I survive the teenage years! Love to my Jake, the rake.

Gallery Walk

This past Saturday found me doing the local monthly Gallery Walk in Port Townsend. It has been a long time since I was actually part of the " circuit " but just like riding a bicycle, the walk came right back to me. Katya came over and we chatted between viewers and by the end of the night Frank, Marlene and I were rolling in the aisles with laughter talking about age, senior housing and the obstacles of being older. I think it is the first time I laughed so long and hard that tears rolled down my cheeks and I felt like I had had a spa vacation! I would do Gallery walk every month just to have that kind of interaction and those deep, hearty laughs.
Here are a few of my paintings that have been undercover for some time in my work space above the shop. Uncovering them and placing them around the room was like having a party with old, dear friends. I wanted to run around the room and hug all the paintings! Until October - see you then in the walk!

Chairs as easels.

Foxgloves - a flower.

An over shot of part of my work room above the shops.

This Weekend

This weekend, the very first of September, marks my return to the gallery walk circuit here in Port Townsend. It has been several years since I have officially shown my paintings and fiber work. Not since we closed Franklin House Gallery, have I regularly shown new work. My paintings, the most recent ones, will be on display in my classroom space upstairs from the bead shop. This little room is also my workroom -slash - sewing room where I create my felt banners and woolen paintings. This week it is all cleaned up but I expect that in future gallery walks, you will see my mess and the works in progress. I am a little trepidatious about this as I have no idea whether people will find me, or respond to my work which lays bare my soul, or as in the most recent past, even remember that I am a painter. Take a breath, dear self, get a grip and display your work. All along I have made new paintings and drawings but not having a gallery, they have not been displayed or framed. I have been away so long from the scene! I have to make " art speak ". I need to look arty. I need to open my head and heart to studio visitors! Oh, scary, scary!

Thought for Today

‎"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own and you know what you know. And you are the guy who will decide where to go." Dr. Seuss

Sometimes things happen and you can think to yourself, " Whew! Glad that is not me! " and then other times things happen that make you stand back and say, lesson learned, life appreciated! Such was the lesson yesterday.

My doctor, friend and confidant had an emergency brain bleed,  ( when are they ever not an emergency ? ) and is in the intensive care wing of a regional hospital. No one knows what the outcome will be for certain and no one knows at what functioning level she will return to. Of course, I am saddened, shocked. Of course, I am sending prayers and healing thoughts her way, writing in her on line journal. I am also once again reminded of the preciousness of life, how fleeting it can be and how suddenly things can turn on a dime. Wow, just wow.

Hold close those you love and care about, hold tight to the memories you make now and hold even tighter to the love you find. I love you all.