Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

It is the end of an era. A pretty dramatic opening don't you think? I have finally faced reality and traded in the MINI. We've made it work for most of this year, but every time we go out to show we always have to take two vehicles. As it is we get to spend so little time together that I'm hoping this will be one step to rectify that situation.



The tag on the front lets you know just how long a MINI has been in my life. Although I'd been thinking about this for a while I couldn't let go. Well, now I have. My first MINI came soon after my mom died. I had a beautiful yellow one with a black top which I called my happy face car. I was pretty devastated after her death and it was one part of the healing process as I knew it would make her smile to see such a cute little car. Jonathan took that one over about two years ago and I got the current one to replace it. I must admit I was never as attached to this one as my previous one for obvious reasons. I'd always seen a car as just a tool to get around but the yellow one....well, that one was very special.



I looked at the Scion on Wednesday, as well as the Ford Edge, and the Saturn Vue. Bill and Jonathan were horrified at the prospect of me driving a Scion which to tell you the truth the new design didn't excite me as much as the previous style. I'd seen one in the parking lot at the dry cleaners which prompted my search. As well the dealership people held me hostage for well on two hours. They put some serious pressure on me but eventually I got away. I thought I might buy American this go round but as it turns out the Saturn is only 30% made in the US. Surprised? I was.

When I finally got back home I did some serious research on cargo capacity in mid size SUVs. After reading "Confessions of a Car Salesman" on the Edmunds site I was armed with information to head out again yesterday. This time I went to the Honda dealership which was clean, empty, and the salesman was very cordial. I knew he was dying to get me into a car but he restrained from pressuring me. Anyway I ended up with another funky vehicle--the Honda Element. I called Bruce a few times and he gave me good advice--tell them if they wanted to deal today they needed to throw in roof racks which they agreed to. I've never owned a Honda before but I figured I couldn't go wrong with one. Get this--it is 70% made in Ohio. The drive was good, I got a silver one because it won't show dirt as much as a dark car, and the gas mileage is decent. Of course those window stickers usually are deceiving but we'll see. I don't drive all that much these days and since it doesn't require premium fuel like the MINI the cost should be a wash. So my friends, here it is:



Not nearly as cute as a MINI (what vehicle is?); hopefully the practicality will outweigh the cuteness factor.

I will tell you Jonathan is not thrilled with this one either, but at least it's not a Scion. More importantly Bruce likes it just fine. As I mentioned I called him but he had no idea what it looked like. I'm looking forward to him designing all sorts of cool storage options in it. You knew that was coming didn't you? We'll do our initial packing this afternoon and find out if I made a good choice.

If it is Free....

...they will come. Although the admission to the museum is only $5 apparently it keeps people from visiting. Today was a celebration of Czech Independence Day at the Polasek with free admission and treats. On a blockbuster day I might have ten visitors during my three hour stint--today there were nearly 100! As you know, I lead a pretty leisurely life these days, so this was quite a day. I greet them, run the register, and inquire how they found out about the event. Turns out more people read the paper than you would think.

The photograph is of an orchid I got at the market on Sunday. I've been experimenting with a sheet of mirror outside--the background is the sky. While I was doing it, Baxter, who was wet from the grass, shook himself making water droplets spray all over the mirror.



Speaking of Baxter, here he is sporting his Obama campaign button. Trish gave it to me on Sunday because she knew Bruce would love it. He's been a good sport about it after initially trying to rub it off. Have I told you lately that he is the perfect dog? If I haven't it was a grave oversight. I can now hear his little tinkle throughout the house. Fortunately the election is only days away because I don't think I can bare another minute of it. The mudslinging is just pathetic as is the wasted money. It seems to me that they should have the song, Money, Money, Money in the background because that is all they talk about. Following this little rant I will cease and desist from any more political discussion after I mention that I mailed our absentee ballots today.



While at the post office I inquired about renewing our passports. Matthew's brilliant idea is for us to visit him in London at Christmas due to the falling value of the pound. It has been five years since we went to London on Bruce's fiftieth birthday. I figured maybe I could spend my fifty fifth birthday there. Of course, there is the weather to consider, which for me is a pretty big deal. According to the post office lady it is about a three week turn around time after we re-take our pictures and mail in the required forms. Ten years ago I think I looked much better than I do today. Of course, don't we all?

This weekend is Fiesta in the Park, the biggest event I'll participate in all year. Earlier in the week the forecast was for spectacular weather, currently not so good. Please, please, stay nice. After this it will be time to focus on the upcoming wedding, which as I type, is only weeks away. If only the stock market would settle down it would be so much better for David (and a few million other people). With such daily turmoil in his job it is hard to get as excited as he'd like.

Yesterday afternoon Bruce called while driving through New York state to his job site. Initially it was raining which soon turned to snow. The snow fell so quickly that he had to pull over to stay safe. The snow plow came making the road safer but it was still very slow going. Everything took much longer than planned, by the time he was ready to drive down to Pennsylvania it was not only snowing, but dark as well. It is quite a drive, so I talked to him throughout much of it. Before you get upset about him being on the phone while driving let me point out that he wears an earpiece. Still, I'm not a fan of it but it did make it not quite as bad as if he were alone. As well, I had Google maps going and I could tell him how much further to go. Actually I had begun this post just before he called but suspended my writing because he needed me.

So Much To Say

These have been busy days my friends. So many places, people, and events to report on that I thought I might make it easier by showing you.




I took a trip to the zoo the other day which definitely received mixed reviews, not only physically, but photographically. I tried my best to focus inside the cages with very little success. I was positive I had the Toucan, alas it was still a bit fuzzy. The building with the snakes and reptiles was one of my favorite parts because they were so colorful. I managed to get this picture of a Skank of all things. I hardly knew that derogatory term was a real living reptile. I'd not been to the zoo since the children were way, way young. I just realized it was even before Jonathan was born. I've got a darling photo of the boys having a pony ride. No ponies these days. I will say that although the zoo is poorly funded, they do a good job with what they have.

Barely home for long and then off to see Jane's son Carter, and his girlfriend, Lauren playing at a downtown bar to raise funds for literacy. A good time was had by all.

I am happy to report Bruce got home that night. He had a meeting on Thursday morning but stayed home the rest of the day working. He did take a bit of a break midday and we did a few errands together which is not something we get to do very often these days.

Which brings us to Friday/Saturday and the Fresh Summit convention. Turns out it was a huge produce marketing convention. Arriving on Friday we were a bit lost, but Jane kept a level head and eventually we got set up. Our convention center is massive; parking and unloading at the farthest from your assigned space is NOT my idea of fun. She reminded me that we were here for the adventure. Our location did not receive many visitors however I did manage some sales. It was pretty cool to see new produce products including the dragon fruit pictured, as well as those reddish spiky things. I wish I could remember the name of those because they were fascinating looking. Although they look sharp, they feel more like plastic scrubby things you would use for cleaning in the kitchen. Once opened it almost looks like an eyeball minus the pupil--not so appetizing to me, but it may find a market.

One of the customers told me that she first saw grape tomatoes a few years ago at this same convention. Her husband predicted that no one would buy them, but as we all know now, they are hot sellers. I love to pop them in my mouth like fruit. Apparently they are easy to grow and less labor intensive than cherry tomatoes which have all but disappeared from produce markets.

Sunday's market was my second best sales day there ever. Having picture perfect weather must have helped, but frankly I was surprised after the challenging economic news last week. Did I mention I was delighted as well?

While at the market I picked up the latest copy of Orlando Weekly, our local alternative newspaper. Last week Ruth altered me that the accompanying photo with the review of the "Love Works" show was mine. Forgive me for the poor wording of the above sentence, I can't seem to get it just right. Anyway imagine my surprise seeing my piece along with my name in the paper. There were so many pieces that it was a total shock. Thank you Ruth,you are such a great support.

Finally, I was also mighty surprised to find a new format Rolling Stone in the mail. After all these years they have shrunk down to traditional magazine size. Paper costs?

A Caveat

This is a fairly long video (with new-agey music) of the show the other night made by one of the artists. My feelings will not be hurt if you want to skip it.



I'm just beating myself up these days. This morning, before leaving for the museum, I pulled a shelf from the upright freezer down onto my big toe. Add that to my scraped knuckles and skinned knee. You know how it is when something heavy strikes your toe, you think you will die it hurts so much. Tonight it is aching however I don't know if there is a bruise or not seeing as I have Black Cherry nail polish on. Underneath it may just be the same color.

With toe on fire I got into the car and headed to the museum. I was a few minutes early so I made a quick detour to see my piece in the window of Ginger. I thought you might like to see it as well:


I was thrilled. It is almost surreal when you see something you've made (well, sorta, Roger actually made it, but you get my drift) publicly displayed. The store was not open yet so I went on my way. Fortunately there were visitors to the museum making the time go by quickly. Leaving the museum at 1:00, I stopped to talk to Aimee and see the other ones hanging. I'm proud of what is there, in fact, they look so at home (remember the blue top and orange bag area) that you would think it is part of her decor. She's asked if I will leave them up until the end of November which I think will work out just fine. The window piece has sold several times making it one I like to have on hand--I may just have to have another one printed for the upcoming weeks. The convention is just two days away--anybodies guess how that will go. Naturally, you'll be one of the first to know.

Lastly I stopped at Huong's Tailors on the way home to pick up my dress for the wedding. Remember how I mentioned I might return the first dress? Well, I did return it after finding a lovely dress at Neiman Marcus's Last Call. The only alteration needed was taking about an inch out of the shoulder straps. More details to follow.

I heard from several friends who braved the long lines (2-3 hour wait to get into the area, another long wait for them to speak) and a huge crowd to hear/see Senator's Obama and Clinton yesterday. According to them it was entirely worth the wait. They will have a story to tell their grandchildren no doubt.

With that, I'm off to bed with a new novel. I feel the need for sleep soon.

April 21st

That was the last day it was as cool as yesterday morning--what a relief to think that the worst of the heat is behind us. The windows are all open today, the wind chimes are twinkling in the gentle breeze, and the sun is shining brightly in the most incredibly blue sky. Is it any wonder that the population of Florida has more than doubled in the last thirty years when there are days like these to look forward to for the next six months?

The market was jam packed with people yesterday including buyers. I had a very good sales day, which needless to say, was wonderful. What was almost even more wonderful was that we were not drenched in sweat! I took this image of a swan the other day at Lake Eola. Are there any birds more graceful than swans? I love to see them gliding along with their feathers all on display.



Sharing with you what I see is a delight for me. Here is an example of an incredible new flower that I've found in someone's yard nearby. It is almost as if this bloom doesn't know what it wants to be, pink, or white. I believe it is part of the fabulous hibiscus family of flowers.



Once it opens:



I took Maureen on a shopping spree in the food section of Big Lots for her 60th birthday. We both agreed that a treasure hunt is a great outing. One of the products we came across is Israeli couscous (sometimes called pearl), a side dish that is served at Seasons 52. I've been looking for this exact size ever since I tried it there. Because we both mostly cook for one, we shared the package. So many other goodies, so little space to describe them all.

I read last week that our school system is banning peanut butter in elementary school cafeterias because of allergies. When, I ask you, did so many people become allergic to peanuts? I was relieved to read that children will still be allowed to bring pb&j from home. I'm wondering when it became fashionable for the minority to rule?

Trish invited me to go with her to see our next President and his former rival when they appear downtown by the arena this evening. After reading all the stringent rules however, I've decided to just go to the little market instead. No water, no chairs, no anything really. Although I said the weather is pleasant, standing in the sun for hours with a huge crowd doesn't work for me. What would be great is hearing him speak and the energy of the event. I'm sure I don't need to tell you it is Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton of whom I speak.

Of all things, when Dave and Michelle came to the market yesterday, I learned that on Friday, the organizer of the show I was in (along with 39 other artists!) was a client of his. The man asked Dave if he had a relative in town named Gail Peck. In fact, he does, his loving momma, although I suspect he didn't use those exact words. It's a small world after all.

Love Works

Let us begin at the entry:



As you can see with your own two eyes, Bruce arrived in time to accompany me to the City Arts Factory. We were both astonished and delighted to find this large graphic over the door advertising the show. The organizer must have worked incredibly hard to make it very special including this light display once inside. Note Bruce's new shoes amongst all the pretty colors. It was in this space that I checked in, receiving a button to identify myself as one of the "artists" in the show. Crazy, right? It was all very exciting.



There were so many people there I couldn't believe it--oh how I wished I'd invited people although I know they probably get sick of being asked (or that's my perception, right, or wrong). Here is a woman looking at my two. This show had some very particular entry parameters including writing a little blurb about each piece to fit the theme. Entering several months ago, not really expecting to be chosen, my words might have been chosen more carefully if I'd known they would be hanging on a wall for loads of people to see. I can say that I didn't embarrass myself too bad. They allowed five submissions, selecting these two. As you may recall from my post earlier this week, getting them together to deliver was quite crazy, including not only broken glass but a damaged frame which we replaced at the last minute. We never expected so many people to be exposed (no pun intended) to my photography in this kind of setting. Lest you think it was all about me, there were around 50 pieces from various artists. Thinking they were all local, Bruce remarked to the organizer that it was some of the best Orlando art he'd seen--he was told that the artists were not only local, although where they were from, he didn't find out.



Actually we did see one couple that have bought pieces from me, although that meeting was accidental. They were so sweet, saying that I have a following around town now. Then making a pleasant outing even more so, we ran into Dominic and Maria. Ironically this event was on the same night as Taste of Thornton Park, the event when Maria won my piece in a silent auction last year. I remember being so excited to be doing that last year, never imagining that I would end up being friends with the person who bought it. As you may recall she has been an enormous help to me, promoting me, as well as selling some of my pieces to her interior design clients. Yeah for serendipity. We had a light meal with them after the show.



I wore my new heels purchased for the wedding to break them in...hmmmm...I think I'll need more time in them, either that, or go barefoot during the reception. I expect that idea will mortify my children.

Concluding this post I am happy to say that it could have been worse. Fortunately I have what I call "photographer's knee", a rough patch on my right knee from placing it on concrete with regularity. I took a tumble this afternoon. The good news is that the camera seems to be just fine, the bad news is that my right knee is scraped as are three knuckles on my left hand from the road. My sandal caught on something and down I went, the camera wildly flying out of my hand onto the street! A passing car slowed to make sure I would bounce right up, and I'm happy to say that I did. I suspect when I was young this kind of thing would have embarrassed me, now I was just glad that nothing broke!

So long, farewell, we'll meet again soon; same place, different story.

All Sorts of Stuff

For those of you who know Orlando this photograph needs no explanation, for those who don't it, is Lake Eola, the centerpiece of the city of Orlando. It is here that I sell photography every Sunday. During the last few years there were upwards of ten cranes soaring above the skyline, now however, all the new buildings are complete. As you can imagine, many of them have lower than hoped for occupancies. It was the condo building boom downtown which convinced Bruce there would be enough people to buy my photography for decorating. As it has turned out most of the buildings house at least one thing from me. I envision several years passing before the occupancy catches up with the supply. Yikes, by then I'll be closing in on 60!

Let's get this out of the way first: I have two recommendations today, one for a novel, and one for a short piece from National Public Radio.

The character development in the novel is remarkable, keeping you up later than is prudent. You care deeply about Lev, the Eastern European immigrant who moves to London hoping to remake his life in a city with more opportunities. I'll go no further because the link has all the details if you are interested.
Suggested Reading

Secondly, this little story from NPR informs the listener about the 1952 election between Eisenhower and Stevenson, the first presidential campaign when television was a factor, somewhat akin to the use of the Web for this one. Illustrating the time worn phrase, "the more things change, the more things stay the same", you learn about the advent of the sound bite.
Sound Bites

An email I received last evening:

To all "Love Works" artists,
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at Love Works. We have a very nice show and the buzz around town is already very good. Please come see me when you arrive. I have a Love Works Artist button for you so people can know who to talk to.

See you then,

Terry Olson

Bruce will arrive in Orlando around six, in time to make it downtown giving me much needed moral support. The truth of the matter is that I am a newbie at this, I need loved ones at my side during this kind of thing.

Carol called yesterday from California informing me that her tickets are booked for the wedding. It sounds like I'll be needing to be more consistent with grocery shopping next month! Between the rehearsal dinner, Thanksgiving, and everything in between, my fridge will be fuller than it has been in months. Jonathan and Alissa arrive from Chicago on Friday night, with Matt arriving on Wednesday night. We'll definitely have a full house!

Speaking of Matt, we had an hour long video chat on Tuesday afternoon with much discussion of the upcoming election. We both agreed that November 2 can't come soon enough.

Remember how I mentioned Baxter being walked? Well dear friends, it was almost like a flashback to when some of my boys were young. Our neighbor Angela's son realized on Monday evening that he was to have done some sort of community service and turn in the evidence on Wednesday. He and his mom cooked up the idea that helping me with walking duties would suffice. He walked him not only in the evening, but called at 7 the next morning for another go round. I also taught him how to clean the pool with Bruce signing off on that one. I remember clearly those almost forgotten assignments.

Although I'd love to open the windows again, the weather remains quite warm hovering still in the high 80's. By now we are suffering from heat fatigue, somewhat like Northerners do in late April when winter has dragged on for what seems like forever. Will it ever end?