Wishes for the holidays...

Originally uploaded by Sylvia...Sometimes.

Yikers! It can't have been so long since I was here! But it has been a twirlywhirly time, to be sure. Sad happenings...one of our nurses had a very quick run of cancer and lost the battle. Another of our nurses, the rolling chair scooted out from under and she smashed her head on the hard linoleum floor...first an intercranial headbleed...then a stroke. For a few weeks she was one of our patients! Heartbreaking...she is 41 years old.
Then crazy mischief occurred. As I was outside the house seeing Jon off for a walk, this teener casually walked up and slipped into my car...right there in front of us! Jon went flying over to the car, banging on the windows, yelling "What do ya think you are doing?!!! Get outta there!". Well, cool as a cucumber, the guy slowly got out and started walking away. We didn't pursue him as we were too stunned...and didn't know if he might have some weapon! A few feet away the guy had the cheek to turn around and give Jon a dirty look! Uh oh...trouble. This was right before Thanksgiving. Well, the day before Thanksgiving I came home from work and again parked my car out front. When I was leaving for work the next 6:00 AM, someone had smashed into the side of my car! Maybe a coincidence...maybe not. But the police couldn't do anything...no witnesses.
Know what...ordinarily I would have been totally miffed...but the earlier happenings I mentioned put things into perspective. At least no one was hurt.
Ohhh, but one more thing...was taking pictures (imagine that! ;-) when all of a sudden the lens came half out and froze. Well I pulled & I tugged, and that baby wasn't budging. Stronger tactics needed! Out come knives, pliers...groans, and a few choice words later, I conceded that my camera was indeed ready for the emergency room.
Luckily it can be "healed"...but at the factory....weeks and weeks of waiting!!! I tried not to whine but I felt like my best friend had just left town...for good! Jonathan took pity and graciously, wonderfully, miraculously bought me a new one for Christmas...and let me have it as an early gift. Hey, he can be tought at times!!! So much to learn about it but much better quality and ability to do what I want with images...hopefully it will show as I learn.
So...Christmas tree is up and trimmed...and the advent candles lit.
Time to remember what this season is all about...and to remember
there are so many brothers & sisters out there having a really hard time...so...time to give...patience, love, understanding, tolerance, and if all possible, something to help it be a sweeter day for them.
Well, here I've rambled again...sure feels good to be back.
Roger...sending you Love and Hugs...hope your holidays are chock full of good times and music and poetry...
Michael...Hazel...if you see this...only the best wishes to two of the best people I've had the pleasure to meet.
And to the rest of you...wherever you are...Peace...Joy...and some Rockin' good times!

Vinyl

Vinyl
Originally uploaded by Sylvia...Sometimes.

So, Michael came up with this new fun toy...making fake records...and everyone seems to be having fun with it. Here's my go at it! And since the weather has been like a frying pan, I head towards water every chance I get...river, pond, ocean...heck, the sprinkler if that's all I can get. BUT...already the light is changing & a subtle night cooling...fall is no too far off. SO got a nice pair of Wellies...pumpkin colour. These are the Hunter ones, made in Scotland and I think they will work out great.
Don't know what your thoughts are about the situation between Israel & Lebanon is...but for weeks I've woken up to news of more shellings, bombs, and people being killed. No one is "winning", nothing is being resolved...and I don't believe it will be as long as their way of responding. So, I've done the only thing I can do and made several pieces for different groups I thought were meaningful...just as a united voice. Maybe if enough people speak out, the powers that be will listen. Don't know what else to do!
Music...latest CD's I've gotten & really like are James Blunt (back to bedlam) and Richard Ashcroft (Keys to the World)...both have some fine listenin' & very good lyrics. Also at the arts festival, got to hear some foot-stomping fiddle playing cajun...that'll get those elbows swinging!
Saw first part of brit series The Singing Detective....never heard of it before but everyone kept raving...well, it's different all right & didn't fall asleep...but need to see more before I know what to think.
Sometime really really soon, I need to book room in London...and maybe Cardiff or Cornwall...decision/action time.
OH! Did you hear the Pope has the flu? that bird flu?! Yeah....
the Cardinal told me! :-D
Ok all you dreamers out there...have a cool nite where ever you are...and...Peace.

Fiddling around

Fiddling around
Originally uploaded by Sylvia...Sometimes.

So, after a long interlude, here I am...yeah, been fiddling around...
Here, lots of good music...local arts festival...Hey, what's that music?! Someone is playing a fiddle...sweet, I mean...like you're body is jigglin and those feet doing the 2 step & ya didn't even know how! If you like cajun, bluegrass, appalachian ground roots music, listen to the link Art Nahpro put on...guaranteed!
Holy Schomolly...the garden's gone Kaboom all at once! Well, we've either been steaming or paddling here...nuttso weather...just need to be a nudist and carry a big umbrella!
Finally finally a brilliant day...head off to Plum Island Nature Reserve...armed with old 35 Minolta SR T 102 camera & MD 75-200/45 zoom lens. Carrying the big guns...well to me. Going for birds & butterflies. Wouldn't you know those birds must have been 201 cause it wasn't happenin. Someone had a telescope set up on some bird though that made it look like it could peck you on the nose. Ok Ok, so it's going to be butterflies...oh, and they were gorgeous & plentiful. Shot up a roll in no time and folks let me tell you...I KNOW there are some once in a lifetime pics in there. Well, outta film & eyeballing now considered dinky little digital camera & decide what the heck...let's go swimming in the ocean. No, of course we hadn't dressed for it! No stopping this lady...cool, cool, more cool. Jonathan used sense & just walked the beach & climbed over stones alongside me. Let me say I was reminded on the walk...long walk...back to the car, that sand has a way of getting into all kinds of unmentionable places...think sandpaper! Almost dry back at the car so decide to head back to the mainland for lunch at Michael's restaurant...overlooks the harbour. Hide your eyes & cover your ears, all ye true veggans! I ordered a 1 1/2 lb lobstah! Out comes a Caesar Salad big enough for a meal on it's own...take a few bites and deligate to Jon...cause hot hot steamy fresh rolls just came up. Get off 2 bites then here comes big boy! Ready for him! Only...next to him is piled haricot verdes & julienne steamed carrots. Take a bite...ahhhhh. Excellent! But I know is either the lobster or them....I reach for the nut cracker. Out comes a platter of onion rings to die for. Mouth just sorts gapes about then...How, I mean HOW do they think anyone could eat all that? Do they think people have washtubs for bellies?!!! That was it...settled back for a nice glass of Pino Grigio & just watched the sunset.
Time to head back home...drop off the film so can be picked up one hour later...soooooo excited I will have some really cool images to share with you. Turns out the film was for *&1@X*!!! slides!!! Jon had been taking some for his work resume & forgot that was what was in the camera. And film was Kodachrome, which can't even be developed here. Has to be mailed to Timbuktu practically for development....then made into prints. Well, S**T happens...whatcha going to do...anyway, got trip coming up to UK...been way too long since I was there so that is what I am working on now...A flickr friend was just in London and found so many new awesome sculptures & must see things that I can't wait!
And that's the way it is in Boston tonight...
Wherever you are...Peace. Good Music. Good Laughs to you.

Places to Go...

Places to Go...
Originally uploaded by Sylvia...Sometimes.

It's been brought to my attention that I've been a bit like a lumpy slug pulling on its thermals. Well, there's a lot to be crammed in there, let me tell ya...there's the assembly line of untold clippings piled on the kitchen counter...Why did I not notice the soup I was making was beginning to send the Morris code? I knew all those lost snippings would show up! Ah, walks to the river...frozen now...watching the gulls gallop across to the tune of "Blazing Saddles", or was it Mortenza's Waltz? Out to an Irish pub...friends doing a gig...my body now in morgaritis from doing the jig...Mail from Art Nahpro. Ha, I've won his quiz...beautiful pen and ink of a horse. Don't think he has a clue that I've owned and ridden horses since I was knee-high so was serendipity. Well, not in the last 7 years since here...sweet memories still.
Trying to find something to cook in the state of the art pot I got for Xmas...big enough to bath in, it is! I've got it...I'll open a spa. Relax in your favorite herb...shall it be thyme (there's always time) or are you feeling sage tonight? (that's 50 pence a phrophesy).
Mean time...hey, we've got places to go! Come on! You haven't seen anything yet!
Wherever you are...it's a new day!
So, that's the way it is...

Ed Giecek Envelope 15 Nov 2005

Ed Giecek Envelope 15 Nov 2005
Originally uploaded by Sylvia...Sometimes.

A yuck wet, cold, windy day...well, until the post came. Could have been a blizzard and I'd be smiling cuz mail from Ed is so way cool. That the packet was crammed with more and yet more goodies had me doing a Celtic jig.
If you like Celtic, try Run Rig. But I just put on my new bootleg Dylan (another gift from Ed), listened to the banjo picking and Dylan pouring on the soul. Something I miss about most new groups...lyrics that say nothing. Sometimes a nice rhythym but music should offer more.
Talked with Jon at the Cape (Truro) earlier...all the guys arrived and are doing their thing. Which at this job is turning a client's home into what they pictured in their mind. When it's done, Jon will make sure it's all gleamy new.
Not an easy task, working with and in part "reading" what a client really wants. Jon excels in this.
So tonite it's a grilled cheese sandwich and split pea soup. I tend to go more veggie when on my own. Since there is little entertainment-wise in Truro, Jon took his computer. So it really looks bare in his side of the computer room and I really do feel "on my own." Luckily, I've managed to learn to manage quite well during these times. I actually hear a bird pecking on the windowsill and know to check the feeder. New books ready to dive into...and an overflowing file of clippings ready to be set to paper.
Oops, that glob of glue on yer face was not intended...but do you mind rubbing your cheek against this cutout here? We do recycling here.
Well, wherever you are, hope the plumbling is working. We don't want any accidents there! Peace to each of you...and hope your feet are tapping to the sound of music. Surrender to the night...surrender to the light.

Music Talks

Music Talks
Originally uploaded by Sylvia...Sometimes.

My Dad loved music, especially jazz...so I probably listened to BB King and the likes with a pacifier poked in my mouth. Thing is, even then, it talked to me. Dear ole Mum saw to it that I saw people from all over...tried their cuisine and listened to the local music. And to what they had to say. Learned to love the food, music, and definitely question what our newspapers had to report. Too many a journalists learned too late that honest reporting wasn't to be tolerated. What?! In the US?! If you believe what you read, you haven't stepped out yer door except to water the flowers. Not saying that isn't important too.
So Jon has taken off to the Cape for a week...not without taking his computor and the extra TV. This is work...I imagine a house full of guys, each easily overstimulated, doing their own version of "One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest". But with precision. And in musical harmony. They are artists first!
My collage just speaks to the way I "see" music. It's true you don't have to know the words to understand the meaning of music-no matter where it comes from. But what I concede is that with knowledge of the language, you will hear music that tells of the times as surely as art records it.
But I also think trying to play this keyboard might be a bit tricky! ;-)
Wheverever you are...smile, laugh, cry...listen to the music. You'll hear something that expresses what you feel.
Take care...Peace to you tonight.

Wild Mums...

Wild Mums...
Originally uploaded by Sylvia...Sometimes.

Suddenly, way pass time, out comes all this scrumptidelicious fall colour...and yes in New England it can be spectacular...and after a few days, redundant. Now don't get me wrong but maybe it's oversaturation. So, I look out my back window and..OMG, what's that?! I see tremendous clumps of pink? No way! These wild mums had just taken over my neighbors back yard and I want to tell you, it is refreshing! Plus he invited me to help myself for indoor flowers. So life is sweet and colourful..but...!!!
Did you bother to look at todays headlines? Did you notice that people are being blow to bits...because the US thinks it needs to tell the world how to run it's business. Democracy...well it's worked here ok but didn't anyone ever pay attention in World Politics? It's a different culture and yes there needs improvement...but it will never be another little US . Atrocities have and do occur. Know what...it isn't only in "those" countries. I just wish we would stop killing and being killed...and could find the peace to be able to appreciate each other..the wonderful musk of a flower. Sound trite? Try it...
But...the world warbles on...tika tika tika...and what should appear but...OMG, someone has taken the time to look at our children. Yes, children deserve the time (and need it!) to be children. And there is nothing better than Roger Stevens innocent, fun and laughs in his new book. Roger just opens up yer eyes. check out his site.
And if you've come across a quite handsome pollywog lately...I might want to trade.
Enjoy natures gift...for us cheapskates, it's a bargain.
Look & look & look. You'll be amazed.
Wherever you are...well, I didn't tell you to go there! ;-)

Dare...collage

Dare...collage
Originally uploaded by Sylvia...Sometimes.

So yesterday we headed off to the Peabody Museum for the much promoted Taj Mahal exhibit, which frankly was a disappointment. Rather small, a few good photos and nice inlaid tile piece but not what we expected. But a great aerial photo show (forget the photgraphers name)...as a pilot he realised that lines do not appear in nature...but only when man has intervened. His shots supported that and were pretty amazing. Later on to a local artist opening at the Clark Gallery in Lincoln...Donald Saph. Wonderful light in woodsy scenes, and the appearance of this strange thin little man with a hat in many of the paintings. Knew instantly that is was the artist and he later confirmed that. Donald also illustrates childrens books and I was able to get one. Unusual, it also has a CD of music with it. Haven't had time to check that out. Then finally on to the market. We picked out the makings for a wonderful meal, but since we had had a large Japanese lunch, no one was hungry. Happens every time so I don't know why we bother...go figure. As for collages, there is the same dilema as with mailart...handwork,cut & pasting is very rewarding, but digital offers some other possiblities. For me, I like blending layers. Same could be done with paper but it takes a lot more resources for the materials needed. To be honest, working with paper, paint, etc. does give one more satisfaction ( I think).
Time flies & I've not accomplished nearly as much as I wanted to today.
Wherever you are...stay safe and dry. But better keep an oar close just in case. Night.

Well blow me over !

Well blow me over !
Originally uploaded by Sylvia...Sometimes.

Oh, totally messed up the wake-up call in changing to DST...didn't matter as I've the day off to romp about...but I quess one should really know the time. Time...well it comes and goes faster and just when I think it is bikini weather (well, once upon a time) it's drag out the snow gear. And I've read a totally honest account of a marines tour in Iraq (One Bullet Away, by Nathaniel Flick). He never said he agreed with the politics or reason for being there...just a mission to do his assignment with honour and give his men the best leadership possible in the situation. Protect each man under his guard. Why would I reach such a book? My Dad was a Marine. He loved his men and managed to keep all in touch after the war...they came from all over to a beach in Florida, to share once again that special relationship that they only can understand. Dad died there...but I know in my heart it was with the people he loved most. And, I wanted to try to understand some of that. He made each occasion a celebration...camera in hand...because it captures a special moment. Today, so many years later, I also carry a camera...and at times make art...to celebrate life. That pigeon up there is looking suspicious...and it's a mighty wind. One could get glaceed in a heartbeat. Pidgeon Pie anyone? We are WAY too civilised, and will settle for lentil soup, and chickpea salad...and nan. Where ever you are...Popeye will fend off the demons. Sleep tight.

Looking

Looking
Originally uploaded by Sylvia...Sometimes.

Wow, how could a month have passed?! So poor Jonathan has sneezing wheezing and been all out of sorts the last few days, but finally came back to life! Meanwhile the idiotic administrators at work seem to care nothing about patient care and pile up more paperwork on nurses...it's frustrating! But hey, we had a gorgeous snow...light fluffy...wonderful to walk about in snapping pictures. Tonight we've had visits from dracula, samurai, and evil souls...with a fluffy bear and Ninja Turtle thrown in. Too funny to see the grown men around racing to give the treators goodies...they are kids themselves & it's lovely.
Well, the door bell is ringing again so off I go...Wherever you are, don't let the ghouls get ya!