The Unpublished Photos

Here are the previously unpublished photos from yesterday's most excellent Atlanta adventure. It's such a pity that Blogger doesn't allow more photos, and sometimes any photos at all, because I think many of us grow frustrated with that and are considering jumping ship and moving on to Typepad!

The scene of the soon-to-be Trader Joe's. Stay tuned!!!
Breadgarden, home of the sumptuous Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread!

Midtown Art Cinema, where we enjoyed "I'm Your Man"


These are just a couple of handouts from the High Museum, but the colors are terrific, and remind me so much of Gerrie's ensemble on her blog a couple of days ago!!!



High Ho High Ho, it's off to work I go!!!

 

Craig's Excellent Adventure

Yesterday C and I had the very best time exploring art in Atlanta. I had told him the night before that we would spend Saturday as if it was his birthday, doing whatever he chose, since he had been so gracious to accompany me to Indiana on his real birthday. Honestly, I wish he had more birthdays....but not get any older!!

First, we walked up to the High Museum to view the new exhibit "New Photography". This is a three women/one man show that is incredible. I didn't think I would enjoy it too much, but it really grabbed me and even had me in tears a couple of times.

Taryn Simon's photographs of the Tsunami survivors were very moving, and then she got me again with her series, The Innocents, which presents visual stories of individuals who have served prison time for violent crimes which they did not commit.

Sze Tsung Leong's photographs of the transforming cities of China were awe inspiring and very linear.
I particularly enjoyed Ruth Dusseault's photos of Atlantic Station, from its earlier life as the steel mill, through the demolition and finally the construction of the new residential and retail community in Midtown Atlanta.
And then for a completely different twist there was the cool, green work of Angela West of Dahlonega, Georgia, which is just up the road a piece from Gainesville, my town. I think Blackberry Winter was our favorite, with West's grandmother shrouding a bush to protect it from the last cold spell of the season.

After a couple of hours at the High, we enjoyed lunch at my all-time fave: Metrofresh. A Trader Joe's is coming to that shopping center soon, so we are very excited! It is definitely within walking distance of the condo. Let me see now, how many bottles of Two Buck Chuck can we schlepp up the hill at one time. Since Cousin Eva has sent us several of those nifty lightweight shopping bags, we will be in business!!!

Then we were off to Breadgarden to pick up a couple of loaves of their fabulous whole wheat sour dough bread. Won't that be yummy surrounding a few slices of homegrown maters and basil?!!! YUMMMA

Our last stop on Craig's Excellent Adventure was to the Midtown Arts Cinema to see the Leonard Cohen Documentary, "I'm Your Man". I have been a huge Leonard Cohen fan since 1970...don't recall how I was introduced to this marvelous man, but he is something else!! I even like listening to him sing!!! I had all of his albums and have recently replaced them with his cds (wish I had kept the albums as they would probably be worth a small fortune, or maybe a few yards of charmeuse anyway) and Leonard often serenades me while I work. I have a fond memory of my last summer in Boston, sharing a dorm room with my good friend Edith Campbell. She worked days at New England Baptist Hospital and I worked nights...Craig was in Vietnam, so it was a good thing to do to occupy my time and hone my newly learned nursing skills. Edith would get off work at about 3:30 PM, just as I was getting up, and I would have Leonard singing away on the stereo. She would come in, roll her eyes at the music, plunk herself down on her bed, and after about five minutes ask me if I would kindly change the music. We did enjoy a fun summer: Leonard and I!!!

I do have photographs of most of the day, but once again Blogger has decided that they are not worthy to be published. Perhaps I will post them later? I'll try...so look above!

Friday Fun

Yesterday was great fun. Our Silk Artists of Atlanta group met at Binders from 12-2, and Elaine Ratiner did a demo on Marbling Silk. She has been using this technique for many years, and she really demystified it all for me! Thanks Elaine!!

I wish I had taken more pictures at the meeting because everyone had interesting things to show and tell. Gail Racy brought another amazing painting of day lilies on silk. She has been taking lessons from Julie Jennings, and while Gail's work (Chinese Brush Painting) has always been wonderful, she is learning some new and awesome techniques with Julie. Rob Wheeler brought along a beautiful framed piece of Japanese embroidery on silk. It's always nice to see and chat with Rob, he is a very gifted and talented artist. Martha Andreatos shared two new pieces that she has completed of silk dyed and resisted in a batik manner, but using gutta. I really could kick myself for not taking more pictures! Several members were away due to summer vacations, but we did have one new member, Susan - and I forget her last name. Duh!!!

We met up with this cute couple at La Fonda on Ponce last night for dinner.

It was rather warm outside, but lovely. We sat up on the rooftop and enjoyed the city night life. The moon was just a crescent, and so lovely in the night sky. Dave's band, Skybucket, was playing at the Masquerade at 11:00 PM. The band was all there at La Fonda and a bunch of their friends joined us for dinner. It's nice to be included in their night life! They are all nice young professionals with great wit and knowledge. Being old folks, we decided to part company with the younger set and went on home to bed at about 10, missing out on the high energy show.

Here's one last photo of the mother-daughter Carpenter-Curylo team...aren't we cute?!!!!

 

Fripp's Fat Fins

Yay!!! I've finally finished "Fripp's Fat Fins"!! I took this picture early this morning before the beading was complete, but you can get an idea of how it turned out. There is now more beading along the bottom, looking like sea grass and shells. I took it with me to our monthly Silk Artists of Atlanta meeting this noon and the group's general consensus was to "leave it alone, don't add another thing"! However, they did suggest that I bring a bit of the seaweed up from the bottom and over the seahorse. I will do that. For now, it is residing at Intown Quilters, as they have asked me to teach it in late August! WooHoo!!

Here are a few closeups of the beaded areas:

I had entirely too much fun doing this, and almost feel like I should be paying somebody for the pleasure....but NO!!! And YES, Diane, you are correct: the beading is ever so addictive!!! 

TaDa!!

I became much more aware of my environement during the retreat. On our drive back home, we passed some lovely scenery, even though we spent many hours on I-75. The mountains, rock formations, and beautiful farmland was just a feast for the eyes.
This morning I did this piece, as a memory of the weekend and drive:

Here are the roadside scenes upon which my piece is based:

The beautiful rock along I-75 kept calling to me and my camera. Of course we couldn't stop the car, but I was able to capture these as we sped along at 70 mph. 

New Cherub in the Fam

This is baby Iker (pronounced "eeecare", I think), born to my nephew Jacinto and his beautiful wife Alejandra last Saturday. He tipped the scales at 6 pounds 4 ounces, and was eagerly welcomed by his big brother Jacinto (Jabo) and his big sis Renata. As you can see, he has wonderfully blond hair...and I'm sure his eyes are that lovely "newborn blue". Craig and I spent his birthday weekend in Fishers, Indiana, a mushrooming but lovely suburb of Indianapolis where I took a brain-stretching workshop with Melody Johnson. Craig did whatever it is that husbands do while their wives are creating: he explored the area, shopped, brought Starbucks back for several of us, drove a few of us to meals, read a book, and relaxed. There were thirteen ladies in this workshop and we all learned a tremendous amount, with many much more productive than I...I'm was saving my creativity for home, where I work best. But don't worry, I was taking it all in! Melody is incredibly creative, and it was interesting to learn her techniques and theories. I will put them all to good use.

I also had the opportunity to finally meet and spend time with my good cyber buddy Diane. We have "known" eachother for about five years and have spoken many times on the phone, so it was just being together in person that was new to us. I was not disappointed....and I don't think I scared her away either. We are hoping to do more workshop/retreats together, but hopefully not waiting another ten years! Blogger is once again being a picutre posting poop, so I will end this post and begin anew, with photos!

A Better Day

Things are better today! Yay!!! I know Sophie is in a better place, free from pain and suffering. Her little sister, Elsie, can't quite figure out where her companion has gone. She wanders around the house crying. She is lonesome. Barker tries his best to occupy her time, but it just won't do!






When we departed the Volcano Lodge near La Fortuna, we drove around Lake Arenal on our way to Flamingo Beach. The lake is a huge man-made body of water. You can barely catch a glimpse of it in the background of this picture.











Along the way to Flamingo Beach, we stopped at a lovely shop. Cousin Peggy Carpenter found this kitty cat and loved on her for a bit, while chatting with Marcia. (I think Peggy must have been missing a kitty cat from home.)








Flamingo Beach is on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, hence some fantastic sunsets!!!











Craig, ever the romantic, captured this scene!










Sister-in-law Molly sent this along this morning:
Click Here: Check out "Jackson Pollock by Miltos Manetas"
Try it, you'll like it!

OK, I need to go pack my bags. We are headed here to take a class from her! I am soooo excited! To think that my dearly beloved Craig would spend his birthday driving me to Indianapolis so that I can take a class! Now that truly is love, isn't it?!!
Watch out Mrs. Mel, we're on our way!!!!!

ARGGGGG

OK, I know, I am not a patient person, but Blogger, dear Blogger, is putting me to the test this afternoon! Read down another blog or two and you will understand!
I will attempt to post the other Sophie pictures and be done with it! As if I needed this today!!

Here is Kristin with Sophie on Christmas morning 1989!!!

And here are Sophie and her big brother Sparta:

In Loving Memory

This afternoon I have lost a dear friend whom I have had the pleasure of knowing over the past 18 years. Our dear Sophie has left us and gone to hunt chipmunks, mice, voles and even a few birdies in a happier land where she will no longer hurt or suffer with shortness of breath. We called our wonderful Vet, Becky, last night and asked if she could stop by this afternoon to take a peak at Sophie. She just had not been acting herself and since we are going away for a few days, we didn't want to leave our housesitter with a sick kitty cat. We learned the worst when Becky told us that poor Sophie had lung cancer. Her entire left lung was collapsed and so her right side was having to do all of the work...no wonder she was huffing and puffing! We mercifully let her go, sending her on her way at 1:17 PM. She was in my arms and slipped away very peacefully.

Kristin and I brought Sophie home from the breeders in September of 1989. She had been born on my birthday, so she and I were soul mates!!! I had always wanted a Burmese kitty cat....and it was love at first sight!

Here she is with her big brother Sparta. She was a gorgeous kitty, with the softest coat!



And here she is on Christmas morning 1989 with Kristin, her most favorite family member. She always slept with Kristin....... under the covers and between her legs! When Kristin went off to Georgia Tech in the Fall of 1997, Sophie, Craig and I had some serious sleeping issues!! Sophie eventually went off to Atlanta to live with Kristin, but then decided she liked being a country kitty, and so had spent the last 3 years at home with us.

Thanks for the memories, Soph!

We will miss you!

Primarily Speaking......

OK, I know, I know, I know, I'm blogging waaaay too much, but I just had to share this precious car with you! Hope you can read all of the bumper stickers, because I have bumper sticker envy right now! Today is our primary election here in the great (red, groan) state of Georgia. This vehicle was certainly doing its part to get out the right (or is it left?) vote! 

and More!!!

OK, OK, I know you've probably had enough, but this guy really captured my heart! Here we are looking at his wonderfully carved wares (see the blog below for the beginning of this little saga!). His shop is not very fancy and his pieces are definitely folk art, but they are wonderful!!!

Here he is explaining the story behind the "headless Padre" to my sister-in-law Molly. She and my brother-in-law Chris are real admirers of local folk art, having an entire room in their home dedicated to the stuff. It is like going into a museum. Molly purchased the Padre...hope he and his head made it back to Riverside in two pieces, Moll! Look at the wonderful masks this guy has carved!


His animals are great too!


I particularly liked this dragonfly perched on the hibiscus leaf.


In yesterday's blog I made mention of my two favorite birds that we saw while birding earlier that morning in the Arenal area. In case you would like to see photos, they are the Red-legged honeycreeper and the Green Honeycreeper. Enjoy!!

 

More Inspirations!

As you might guess, being in the tropics there were lots of wonderful sunhats to admire on our trip. Here are Marcia and Susan (oh, and Marion, to Marcia's left in the baseball cap) modeling their colorful chapeaus.


I liked Marcia's so much that I took several photos of it. Aren't the colors wonderful!!!

After our birding trip near Arenal, we passed by this craftsman who was selling his wares by the side of the road. I'm a real sucker for local artisans, and so we chatted for a while and then several of us admired and purchased some of his carved art.


This piece is based on a Mexican folklore about a woman who must have been having a bad time with PMS. She got angry with her husband and killed him, and then killed all of her children! According to my sister-in-law Carol, this woman is similar to our "boogey man", in that when children misbehave they are warned that this woman might "get them" if they are not careful! I wish I could remember her name, but perhaps Carol will help me out here. My brother-in-law Jacinto even sang me the song that goes along with the tale!! Here we see the wife, feeling remorse and weeping as her husband's body floats by in the river. This is all hand-carved and painted by this wonderful folk artist.
 

Faded Memories

Help! The memories are starting to fade just a bit, and I don't want that to happen!! We spent a wonderful two days and nights at Volcano Lodge near Arenal Volcano. Here she is just a perkin' away, as seen from our little sitting area outside of our room.
Both mornings Craig and I rose at about 5:30 and enjoyed juice and coffee sitting on our little veranda, while we watched the birds. We could hear the howler monkeys in the background, and enjoyed watching Arenal smoking away. On our first morning, there was a neighbor's cow roaming through the gardens. There sits Craig in one of the typical local rockers.


Arenal is picking up steam later in the day. We had returned from a birding adventure to have lunch and take in the semi finals of World Cup Soccer.

And here was part of the birding group earlier in the morning. I think Sergio was checking out the wild turkeys (Crested Guans) in his spotting scope. From left to right, you see Craig Carpenter, Peggy Carpenter, Molly Carpenter, our guide Sergio, Jacinto Esteban, Chris Carpenter and Carol Carpenter Esteban.....is this a reunion or what???? Alvaro, our driver, is birding from the top of the bus. I think we picked off 16 new birds that morning, including the incredibly beautiful Red-Legged Honeycreeper and the Green Honeycreeper...they are awesome!!! 

More Scenes from Tortuguero

The Hibiscus were everywhere, and they were beautiful!
There just may be a hibiscus scarf or two in my future!


We took a long and hot walk on the beach one afternoon in Tortuguero. The sharks are too prevalent and the undertow too strong for swimming in this part of the Caribbean (although we did see one young native taking a dip...and his life in his own hands). So we all toddled back to the refreshing pool at the Laguna Lodge. That night we went out with our guide and actually got to see a green turtle coming ashore to lay her eggs.


This is a scene from the Tortuguero church. I just love the windows, don't you?


The Laguna Lodge walkways were heavily decorated with mosaics of local flora and fauna. I love mosaics and will be a mosaic artist in my next life, thanks to the influences of my sister-in-law Molly and also Niki de Saint Phalle and her Nanas!!!