Better Late Than Never

They got me this time. Just because they let me off in November from jury duty apparently did not mean they were through with me. Not a month later I received another jury summons which I attached to my bulletin board. Because we all know how forgetful I am I also had my phone remind me not once, but two times.

And so it was, that after calling the phone number on the card to see if my juror's number was selected, I made my way to the courthouse early yesterday morning. How early? Well, the card stated 8:00, however I didn't know if that meant on the property, or through the security line, thus I got there just as the sun was rising.

I was able to take this photograph from high up because they stressed that all jurors MUST park on the 7th or 8th floor of the adjacent garage. Round and round I went through the empty floors because I'm a rule follower. Those who don't follow rules really rile me up. Funny I should say that because had I been picked for a jury I suppose I'd be judging a non-rule follower! I was not chosen. As I exited the courthouse for lunch this scene made me think of only a few months back when the area was SWARMING with reporters for the trial of you know who.

The most exciting part of my day came while I was eating lunch in a diner behind the courthouse. Now, this isn't just any diner. Oh no my friends. I'd not been in the place in more than 34 years, ever since the night before we moved to California. There is a motel, now a Travelodge, next door where we stayed after our home was all packed up on a truck bound for Southern California. The following morning we would drive our little blue Toyota Corolla with a small Ford truck in tow. That was then.

In the here and now I walked over under gloomy skies, entering only to find one other patron. Mmmmm.....it was a tad early so perhaps that is why. Soon thereafter, some guys in Sheriff's vests came in talking on their updated versions of walkie-talkies. Taking a seat they seemed a tad agitated.

Naturally this is a phone photo which you sure can use surreptitiously! Anyway, they turned out to be SWAT team guys involved in a stake-out at the motel!! They talked about how they had already nabbed someone and were just waiting for another to arrive. Drama at the Diner!!

As I walked back around the other side of the building I came across a war memorial I had no idea existed. Soldier's names from as far back as the Second Seminole War are inscribed. The back side of this shows those Central Florida soldiers who lost their lives in the World Wars, as well as the Korean War. Built in the late 90's I can't believe I never knew it was there.

One of the instructions for jurors was to dress appropriately. Apparently few people read the instructions. I don't know why it surprised me that so many of the 200+ people were in jeans and shorts, but it did. I told you I was a rule follower. For the first hour or so I visited with two very sweet young ladies. Both of them are students, one for Radiologic Technology, if you can imagine, and the other Electrical Engineering. The EE major kept saying how much she loves math! Yikes! Unfortunately they were both called early on so I spent the rest of the hours reading some of the Carol Shields short stories, a Time magazine article about Hillary Clinton, an Asheville, North Carolina arts magazine, the crossword puzzle from Tuesday's paper and finally the Good Housekeeping Corrine gave me two weeks ago. Around 2:30 they dismissed the uncalled, thank goodness; we could have had to stay until 5:00.

So, the GH inspired me to do a little organizing, after all, it is that time of the year right? I stopped by Ross on my way home, looking for a few containers to complete my project. The other night I made some mashed potato cakes and while they were frying I dug around in my tool drawer for a certain kind of spatula only to give up because of the jumble. That, at least for the near future, is now a struggle I'm putting behind me because.......TA DA..take a look at this!

If I weren't so lazy I would have re-shot the after photo taken when it was getting gloomier still. The messy drawer was a lot more colorful wasn't it? From there I went to our bathroom which I know is making Nancy smile as she's reading this. During her summer visit she urged me to work on the drawers however I put it off until yesterday afternoon. What you see below is the sum total of my makeup which to some might seem like a lot, others think not so much.

The little white basket is for everyday use. Now all I need to do is get in the habit of using it every day! I highly recommend the activity for a gloomy afternoon.

While Jonathan and Alissa were here for their Christmas visit I told them one of their gifts was incomplete. I did show it to them with the caveat that I would mail it as soon as I was done. Way back in October I got the notion to make them a lap quilt with some fabric I'd had for quite some time. As in maybe 10 years? Can't really remember but rummaging through my fabric box from under the bed I thought--Gail, this fabric bears a small resemblance to the Texas Longhorn colors. Why not? I used a few blocks I'd made whenever that long ago time was, adding new ones to complete a nine patch pattern. Nine patches, each consisting of nine patches or squares in everyday lingo. Baxter was checking out the quilt top on October 24th.

I pieced two stripes on the back side, sandwiched the batting in the middle and began hand quilting. The quilt went with me to the markets, rolled up and stitched while I was waiting on folks to come to my booth. Then along came Christmas prep and my time quilting diminished. I showed them how far I'd come and kept at it once they left. Tuesday afternoon I was finally done and ready to put on the outer binding.

Now you can see the back as well as some of the quilting. I'm very impressed with some of the machine quilting I've seen others do, however, my skills in that area are not so great. Thus, needle and thread for me. I probably should have waited until it was washed to photograph it but I didn't. Washing really amps up the look, giving it lots of good pucker.

Another TA DA! Two in one day no less. It's all washed now, rolled up on the counter awaiting a trip to the post office. According to Jonathan a lap quilt for the couch will be most welcome because, unlike here, it is cold in Austin. Except that apparently we are heading into a little cold snap tonight. Yesterday, despite an 80% prediction for rain, we got just enough to dampen the ground. Thus, I'll believe it's getting cold when I feel it.

Having Bruce in Orlando is a good thing.  I CANNOT remember the last time he was in town for the whole week. Plus, he's been going to the office which I've highly encouraged. He swears he gets more done working here, however, I think an office is where you work, and a home is where you live. We've agreed to disagree on this one. Cooking has once again slipped into my repertoire with some very tasty meals eaten if I do say so myself.

Every time the boys come home--boys? What boys? They are men now. Okay, the men come home, they always leave me with new music to enjoy and this year was no exception. I'm hearing for the first time the Foals, Fleet Foxes, Friendly Fire (lots of F's there), Rumer, Laura Marling, Cee Lo Green, Big Deal and Cut Copy, along with some new music by some of my favorite bands, Elbow, The National, Death Cab for Cutie, and Tift Merritt. There are others whom I've forgotten but the one thing I can say for sure is that it has been wonderful listening to it all on both my Shuffle around the house and on my phone in the car. Good stuff.

Speaking of new music, Betty Wright has been around a long time, and she too has a new album. I heard the linked interview today on "Here and Now" and what a voice! I think I'm inspired to look for either her CD, or learn to buy music from iTunes. Another day, another learning experience.

The kitchen is calling my name,
Gail

Shameless Self-Promotion

I'm back at it--promoting myself, or at least I'm supposed to be. Here's my stack of cards that I'll put out on the table for the next two weeks, hoping people will take them. This looks like a lot, but the truth is, they made 1,000--thank goodness I don't have to pass that many out! I should be grateful, but between you and me, I'm a bit nervous. I thought having them pick out the pieces would be good, however, now I'm unsure about them. Too late because Roger has already made four of them. He's been having problems with the printer for several weeks now with SEVEN service calls necessary. This is prime time because he works with many, many artists, and with show season beginning this weekend, he's been swamped. Hopefully he'll have the last ones ready by Friday--I'll take them over there and show up when the time comes.

Did I tell you how I'd received an email from the folks at the DeLand Art Festival asking for my patron list? Hahahaha! I never responded.

Continuing the publicity thing, I should also be sending out emails to everyone I know letting them know my show schedule--all two of them. Winter Springs the last weekend of October and the aforementioned DeLand, the weekend before Thanksgiving. It's just that I never know what to write. Imagine that--me at a loss for words!

I suppose nervousness is appropriate; the gallery is rated one of the best in our area, and how I'm included, is beyond me. In Matt's blog today he wrote a piece about seeing art in the right setting. Apparently he saw an installation of a tree sculpture in a garden setting and was underwhelmed, however, seeing a photograph of the same sculpture in an indoor art space, his appreciation was altered. Unknowingly, this was a great help to me. For one thing, it made me realize what a leap of faith people take when they buy a large piece from me. Imagining it in their home may not be quite as easy as I thought. That said, I'm hoping the pieces look good in the gallery!

When Maureen was over the other day she gave me some cute little shot glasses she'd planned to return to Marshalls. You've already figured that I'd try and do something with them haven't you? Taken with my manual focus lens, this didn't turn out so great but I'll share it nonetheless. Lisa is a big fan of little roses.

I've just discovered I'm in trouble with my iTunes library!! A little screen is appearing telling me the original file cannot be found!!! Yikes and yikes again--must be my external hard drive acting up again! Speaking of music, a month or so ago, my Nano disappeared from my car. I've done my best to lock the car at all times, but apparently it was not good enough. Bruce bought a new little shuffle (which are incredibly small!), and gave me his. How delightful it's been to listen to his music. He's kept up with new music by adding to his collection all the time, whereas I've been stuck in a rut. Talk about a silver lining.

I Had to Do It!

Having taken photographs in earnest for the last year, I know it is impossible to re-take the same scene twice. I mean, you can do it, but your results are never the same. Nonetheless, this did not stop me from trying as my third best selling photograph is one that has problems. It is very noisy when blown up much bigger than a 16X20 which is not a good thing. When I took it last May I had no idea how to take photographs at the beach--nothing about white balance or using your flash on a sunny day. I've no idea now what settings I used, but the image needed improvement.

Unfortunately, although the daisies were still on the beach dunes, the other vegetation has grown all around it; I'm not sure it will evoke the same interest now.

When I got up this morning I got myself in gear, cleaning my desk, finally getting my business account online going, and in general taking care of business. I hopped in the car around 11 for the trip to Patrick Air Force Base beach where I took the beach daisies. It was an easy 60 mile drive on the Beachline and SR 520.

I've almost never taken 520 into Cocoa Beach before but since it's been widened it's a marvelous road, devoid of traffic. This took me past Merritt Square, a mall in Merritt Island. Memories flooded back after seeing it. You see, when I was 28 years old, serving dinner to our three very young children, the phone rang. It was my sister Nancy saying that our father was dead. Mostly I remember starting to scream. He was not sick, at least to our knowledge--it seems he died of a heart attack. My mom and her best friend were shopping at Merritt Square when it happened. Of course this was long before cell phones so the first my mom knew anything was wrong was when they turned down her street, seeing the ambulance in front of the house. The man across the street found him dead on the kitchen floor with their Siamese cat nestled on his legs.
My dad never even knew our Jon boy. I believe it was shortly after the funeral(the same day) breaking his arm. He was nearly three at the time. My, oh my, those were the days.

Bruce is always buying new CDs which I generally like. Today, while motoring, I listened to REM's new album, Accelerate, and Radiohead's In Rainbow. The later I liked, the former, not so much. I felt like the REM sounded not only angry, but repetitive--I kept thinking I'd heard the song already. On the other hand, to me, Radiohead's album was melodic, nuanced, and fresh.

Tomorrow I'm slipping back into my role as a radiologic technologist, attending a seven hour conference for continuing education points. Hopefully I'll be able to stay awake!----------------
Listening to: Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees
via FoxyTunes

I'm So Excited and I Just Can't Hide It

That about sums it up folks.

First off, I wanted to give you a closer look at the prints. I took this before I sold the front one. They look so professional and as I said--I could hardly believe it was my stuff.

Here's why I'm so excited: I was finishing making dinner when the phone rang. Unknownnumber. If you're like me you don't answer those calls. Well...it went to voice mail. A male voice said: This message is for Gail, I'm a friend of Ed and I saw your great pictures at his house this weekend. I snatched that baby off the hook--Hello, Hello, this is Gail. Yeah!--a referral. Ed is the man who bought five of my pieces as he'd had a house fire and had to start over. This new man was interested in my groupings of fruits and vegetables for his kitchen. Don't take this wrong please because I have a gay son. We've got that straight right? Anyway, they seem to visit each other's homes more than some folks and some of them (Matt would say I'm stereotyping) are interested in decorating their own homes. So how perfect is this?
He even asked what payment I take, and how long after he selected stuff would it take me to deliver. It sounds promising; you know that I'll keep you posted if it pans out as I hope. The more stuff I get out there the better--I hope that's how it works.

In another bit of good news: Maureen is attending a wedding shower for her friend's daughter on Saturday. She called this afternoon and said she'd like to buy a picture as her gift. I know what you are thinking--its your sister for crying out loud! You are right, but she seemed genuinely interested in giving her something unique. She came over after work to select. Her cell rang and it was the mother of the bride who happened to be in the vicinity. She popped over and helped Maureen select something! Can you believe it? Me, at age 53, selling things of my own making for the first time in my life. I read recently about a 54 year old woman whose novel produced a bidding war. Apparently if you are really passionate about something you can re-invent yourself.

Matt booked his ticket to come home for Christmas. He'll be home for a week. He may be here for my graduation although I can't find the date on the website. I do know I'll be having finals the week before Christmas.

Unrelated. David makes a lot of money as a stock broker but I wouldn't want to be in his shoes this week. What misery.

Before all the excitement of this afternoon I made a few CDs for the car. Here's who I put on one of the mixes:

Muse
Boxer Rebellion
Bishops
K's Choice
Kings of Leon
The Kooks
Kula Shaker
Ladytron
Lodger
Stephen Malkmus
The Charlatans
Manic Street Preachers
Mercury Rev
Milburn
The Charlatans
Neat people
Pete Yorn.
Good stuff.

A Corner Booth

The Beacon looks nice doesn't it? The food was very tasty as well.

Matt called last evening and he had a fab time in Wales. Apparently they hiked up the highest mountain in the British Isles. You can see his photos on flickr; they are lovely. He is in my contact list as 5500. A birthday, Wimbledon, and Wales all in one week! One wonders how he has time to work.

You must have been sending good vibes our way as we sold six pieces on Sunday with very thin crowds. As well, we have an order for a poster! I made a slight error and gave him too low a price. sIt seems as if we'll only make back our cost on that one, but we're still learning as we go. Nevertheless, if he has folks to his place, and they notice it, he may send them my way which would naturally be super great. It seems as if the market is good for networking even when we don't have sales. The heat was bearable, and fortunately no rain.

I've a new motto to go with my previous "fake it till you make it" motto. On Saturday we were at the mall and who should we see but the attending physician from my hospital stay. He says--"Hi Gail", I respond in kind. Next I tell him that I've not managed to get better and here's what he says--"At least you're alive!" He pats my arm, and off he goes! We were taken aback to say the least. He is actually the one who told us that I had metastatic pancreatic cancer, so I guess he was acknowledging it was a good deal he was mistaken. So we'll put the two together to describe my life today.

I've spent today ordering prints, buying frames, and mats. It is amazing how long all this stuff takes me. It's a good thing that I enjoy this because it sure doesn't pay very well! I picked up a little portfolio book today which I'm going to fill with 4 X 6 prints. I'll be able to take it to the Bistro I mentioned last week as well as have it at the market. This way if we don't have the enlargement on display there may be something else that appeals to lookers.

Van Morrison, Nick Drake, The Howling Bells, Stereophonics, Supergrass, and Bloc Party have kept me company while I've been sitting at the computer. It's been fun but now it's time to get the blood moving in my legs. Stay tuned.....

Moving On

After yesterday's self-pitying post we are moving on. We're not going to let some silly undiagnosed illness stop us now are we?

I saw this cute Olivia music box at Ross the other day. If you've not heard of the wonderful Olivia books you should check them out. She's got an indomitable spirit-- just what we all need. Matt introduced me to the Olivia series a few years back and we love her--thank you Matthew. I'm trying to remember what museum we saw some of the original drawings in. Whenever we visit Matt he always takes us to the top museums in the current city of his residence. As well, he always has other great activities planned, not like me, just falling into stuff.

If you can imagine I left home without my camera last night!! I almost had Bruce turn around but I suffered through the withdrawal. We had dinner with Michael, and Jane which was super fun. Fifi's has half-price bottles of wine for the month of June, and we started with champagne. I was feeling puny when we arrived, but the fun company distracted me. They regaled us with tales of their first cruise. Please don't take offense if you are either a bowler, or are covered with tattoos when I tell you how Michael described his fellow cruisers. He said it looked like they emptied out many bowling alleys, putting the tattooed regulars on the same ship. My objection to a cruise has always been the cattle call thing. I know that airplane travel is somewhat like that, but the idea of thousands of people all boarding together has always been a huge turnoff to me. Maybe you have to be young when you first go on a cruise because Jonathan and Alissa loved it.

Here's some news--I got my Florida sales tax number today in the mail. I applied on line only about four days ago; maybe with the recent property tax cuts they are anxious for sales tax to make up the difference, thus the speed with which I received it.

I've had my Itunes playing for most of the day; I had gotten out of the habit of listening during the semester. I had to do my math homework on the computer, therefore I needed no distractions. At any rate, my music library currently has 5,052 songs, many of which I've never heard. Every time Jonathan is home he downloads more, and more, music. Some standouts from today's listen--Neko Case, Winterkids, and Peter Bjorn & John. Good stuff.

Do You Believe in Magic?

It's rare that I listen to oldies music but that infectious tune from the Lovin' Spoonful came on my shuffle while I was doing a bit of cleaning. It brought me back to my junior high school days--a very long time ago. There were so many great groups back then but I find that if you have an open mind there are still plenty of people making fantastic music. I also rarely re-read a book that I have loved. One notable exception recently was To Kill a Mockingbird. I had to read it for my Comp II class, and it was just as wonderful the second time around--maybe even more so as I have more life behind me.

This is a beautiful dessert that we shared when Dave took us out a month or so ago. It was just as delicious as it looks!

My desk is cleared, the backpack is in the closet, and school is over! I went to school early and spent two hours writing nine pages about such topics as the French Reformation, St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, Bernini, Poussin, El Greco, Northern Art...well you get the idea. I'm sure I wasn't as detailed as in the past, but I'm thinking it was probably good enough to ensure my A in that class. Good deal.

Blogging has backfired on me just a bit. Now I feel as if I live in a vacuum as everyone else knows what's happening in my life so they never e-mail me anymore. Fortunately, Judy called the other day to chat. She is a wonderful friend who I met at the Wellness Center. For a number of years we had quite a group of like-minded folks that met on Saturday mornings. We worked out but spent much time catching up. My son Matthew tells me that is unheard of in the younger generation, but I'm glad it wasn't true for me. As well, I got to know Dean who is a much-followed columnist for our local paper. In fact, these days, he's about the only reason to read the paper.

First Flight

This morning I met Jennifer at the West campus to go over our geology together, and I was lucky enough to see both Brandon and Irina. They were both in my Biology class last semester and they gave me big hugs, which was welcome. As well, Jennifer and Irina helped me some with math, so I didn't need as much help from DeeDee, the tutor. She was good though, giving me hints, and making things a little simpler.

When I arrived home from school around noon I thought, hmmm.....maybe I'll just check the nest. It was empty!! I began searching the bushes for a chick and I came across this one. I have no idea if all three have made it as I can't tell if the one I first photographed is the same as this picture, but, needless to say I was jazzed. I put some other ones on flickr with Baxter chasing the chick. The parents kept chattering, and hovering, afraid I would hurt their baby. It could only fly a short distance, but man was it cute!

I went to sleep with my Shuffle last night, here's a few songs that are on there:
Blue Light by Bloc Party
Down So Long....The Rapture
Time Out from the World...Goldfrapp
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight....Bob Dylan
Stand....The Bees
Out of Time....Blur
Gin Soaked Boy....Divine Comedy
Blame it on Cain....Elvis Costello
Well Well Well....Milburn
Caught By the River...Doves
Lights....The Editors
Chelsea Dagger...The Fratelles
Ribcage...Elbow
Here it Comes Again....Tracey Thorn
Dancing in the Streets...Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Pumping On Your Stereo....Supergrass

Bruce will be home shortly. He can quiz me more for Geology which is at 8am tomorrow, followed by Algebra. I will take the Humanities final on Friday morning at the testing center. Matt suggested I go out on something I like! Good idea from that son of mine.

The Power of Music

Although I wrote about my obsession with the camera, I do have other interests, one of which is music. I'm not one of those baby boomers that cling to their old high school music; I listen to a few oldies, but only a very few. Yesterday afternoon while preparing dinner, I had my Itunes blasting from the other room to keep me company. I was listening to the new Tracy Thorne CD, Out of the Woods. I guess I was feeling funky because instead of enjoying the music as much as I might, I began to muse on the fact that when I was first introduced to her via a young hip co-worker, I was a fairly young mother. I guess it must have been about twenty years ago--my sons would have been 10, 7, 7, and 3. You might be more familiar with her as the singer of Everything but the Girl. She was a fancy-free young woman at the time; the music they played however, was full of emotion and wisdom. I am always struck by some of the lyrics young songwriters produce--there's were no exception. I believe they may have been an early indie band. Anyway, our roles are reversed--she is now a young mother, and I am the one who is pretty much fancy-free. I know that term dates me, but I am 53 after all.