Won't you please please help me help me

Okay, I have a feeling those dresses in the rattlebox clip below are not going to be very easy to find. So, another thought. The wedding is in May. The flower for May is Lily of the Valley. (The vintage print above is the art of Cicely Mary Barker.) If ANYWHERE, in all your online or real time shopping excursions, you've seen skirts, dresses, sweaters or ??? with a lily of the valley print, vintage or new, can you just drop me a line? Merci! Merci Beaucoup!

Dress Up a Go Go

The last dress shown here is my first choice to wear to Silver and Heather's wedding.
Or maybe that 2nd one, on the left? . . . just need . . . to find before May 24 . . .
Plus, those earrings are a MUST HAVE! What are they?
Cast iron? Good Lord, I love them!

Happy: All in a Dream

Oh! I'm happy this afternoon! Well, I'm often happy, but I finally got a skin for my ipod, so now I can't scratch it up anymore. Well, I can, but am less likely to. . . The skin features a reproduction of a piece called All in a Dream by the fabulous Big Apple artist Stella Im Hultberg. I scanned it for you onto an appropriate admonition:

Cut the first line

No, this is not a post about illegal mind altering substances. . . unless by illegal mind altering substances, I mean books. And unless by books, I mean This Is For You, by (prince of the papercut artists) Rob Ryan. And it's not even a real post, unless by post I mean, see the sweet nuance of the downward tilt of the boy's neck? The wispy tendrils of his bangs? Etc.

Face time

Click on this, then keep scrolling!

Doorbells and sleighbells and schnitzel with noodles

Ever since the troubles that caused our country's government to feel a need to crack down on some of the larger aspects, and a few of the finer of personal freedoms, some niceties have gone the way of zoot suits, their riots, (???) and gloves for everyday. Thou shalt no longer be allowed to send mail bigger than a breadbox from your homes, neither shalt you send that which has been wrapped up and sealed with 'scotch' tape, nor that which has been tied with ribbon, twine, or string. Alas, alack. But yay! It looks like we can still receive such packages, and this one from Eloise totally made my day!

Through Urban Eyes

From the New York Times Urban Eye Weekend:

ART, CRAFT
Glue You Too!

For a decade, the artist Paul Butler, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has been holding collage parties, allowing artists, friends and strangers alike to cut and paste their way to creativity. (His own collages are “handsome, like the geometric work of Josef Albers,” as William Zimmer wrote in a review several years ago.) On Saturday, to celebrate the publication of a book of his work, the Printed Matter bookstore and gallery will hold its own collage party. Anyone can participate, as long as you know your way around a glue stick.

GHHHSFASFAGJKHSDSHSFGKHFHGSJDSGHJHH

When Angela's and my new book is released next spring, I want to have a "Collage Party", too.

Happy Vernal Equinox!

Happy first day of Spring, yay, it's FINALLY here!
Just like the latest edition of Pasticcio Quartz, which is simply blooming with fabulous art and more from some of the coolest artists around. Angela and I had so much fun putting it all together. If you click on the cover, you will go straight to LULU, where you can see for yourself!

The Chanticleer Costume Shop

Still can't see well enough to write my usual. But at least I can post a pic! Here's one of my little Costume Shops, at the upper left. It's a tiny altered business card building structure I made up for Angela's Skylines and Skyscrapers Swap, run through the In This House yahoo group.

Eyes Only

Ever watch that freakin' awesome post apocalyptic series that was only on for 2 short seasons, yeah, I'm talkin' about Dark Angel? I loved that show, even when it was bad, it was always bad ass, ya know? Anyway, I had an emergency visit to the eye doctor tonight - all will be well that ends well they say, but I will be awfully glad (says me, channeling Pollyanna) when my pupils shrink back to their normal, everyday, nearsighted, astigmatic, size. 'Cuz damn! This is over four hours after dilation, and right now, it's a blurry world out there. . .
Can't . . . see . . . screen . . .

"How much do you love me?" and "Who's in charge?"

Anyone recognize where those two lines came from?
(answer at the end of todays post)
I know some people think tagging is lame. Not me; I totally love it. In a world so often filled with grief and strife, there's always room to make an unexpected connection (or expected, and with a stranger, or even someone you (thought!!) you know). We are by nature crazily interested in each other and the lives we live. Unless of course one is a misanthrope. But if one IS, then what the heck is one doing reading blogs anyway? Maybe you're really NOT the people hater you thought yourself, Miss Anne Thrope!
This tag, courtesy of the beautiful, talented, and witty Jenn, is to name 7 random, odd, or strange facts about myself.

#1 In 1972, when I was not quite 18 I 'met' Richie Havens. He came to play a gig in Santa Fe. I had gone out a couple of times with Tony Seymour. He was scheduled to interview Mr. Havens, who was staying in a trailer on the outskirts of Santa Fe. Tony said I could come along and after a delayed start (car troubles - we lived in Albuquerque) we made it out there. I was such a nutty kid, I honestly don't know what possessed me, maybe I just thought I was being polite, and believe it or not, I CAN be kinda shy at times (I act like I'm not to cover for myself. "Hey, self, be cool, don't run off, get back here." "Um. Okay.") But we knocked on the door of the trailer that afternoon, Mr. Havens opened it with some majorly long skinny fingers covered in clay, I said "Hey", and then went and sat down in the dirt in the middle of the mesa, sketching some cactus, my boots, whatev, leaving those two guys alone in the trailer! Why oh why did I not listen to that dang interview? Lordy.
#2 There are some snacks I love that def. qualify as Random. I love peanut butter and pickle sandwiches. (The pickle has to be kosher dill, sliced the short way.) Also, a flour tortilla, spread with hot green chili sauce and dark chocolate chips, microwaved for like, 20 seconds? is a special treat. Along that line, ooh. I do like a bowl of Rice Chex with dark chocolate chips and 1% milk once a day. It has to be 1% though, higher than that is too thick. Oh, and I drink rose syrup and 1% milk in a little cordial glass to fall asleep.
#3 I wish Conan O'Brien would stop being so obnoxious before he takes over as The Tonight Show Host.
#4 I don't own any jeans (Not that I hate jeans or anything, it's just when my last pair bit the dust, I never got new ones.).
#5 There have been long periods in my adult life where I had no TV set, and even when I had a set, it only played snow.
#6 My fave spices ALL begin with the letter 'C' - caraway, cardamom, cayenne, celery ceed, cilantro, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, curry.
#7 I actually really like the movie Wild Orchid.

So now ya know.
I tag anyone who wants to play, but esp.
Seth
Pilar
Lisa
Dante

As for the lines quoted in this blog entry's title, well. I am almost finished reading Eat, Pray, Love. Thank God. Although it's well-written, I don't really like it very much. Ms. Gilbert spends way too much time (my opinion) lamenting every aspect ad infinitum of her "herness". I find it sad that a woman who has, in many ways, a relatively easy life (I KNOW, I have not walked in her shoes) has such a difficult time looking past herself. Anyway, I did appreciate the comments above. She said an old woman told her "There are only two questions humans have fought over through all of history: How much do you love me? and Who's in charge?" - and that, dear reader, is the random line from a book universally acclaimed (except by me) that totally rings true.

Buh-bump, buh-bump, buh-bump

Seth is working on a cool artist documentation project over at The Altered Page. . . it's always something fresh and lively over there, and participating gets one really thinking. Being a bit analytical about "What are we all doing here, and why?" Well, to my mind, that's worth at least as much consideration as, say, "How in God's name am I gonna pay the rent this month?" 'Cuz not only do we hafta pay for the damn garret, we gotta have something to hang on the walls!

Body of work

In my life I have been paid to be (or do) these things:
• Artist (various)
• Costume Designer
• Costume Fabricator
• Editor & ½ staff of a semi-regular arts publication
• Fabric store Inventorier (not inventory of the stores, but the goods)
• Office manager (sort of) for a marriage & family therapist
• Vintage clothes store Presser
• Vintage clothes store Shopgirl
• Craft store & paint your own pottery Shopgirl
• Rubberstamp & art supply store Shopgirl
• Toy store Shopgirl
• Teacher (four year olds)
• Teacher (various altered arts including Junk Jewelry, scrapbooking)
• Writer (various)

I have done the following for little to no pay, or, for other sorts of remuneration (that word is correct, honest! I had to make Colin look it up, he is the most knowledgeable word person I personally know, and he didn't believe me, but it's right, I swear. . .):
• Acting (various)
• Book Reviewing
• Editing (various)
• Directing a multi-age amateur acting group in Hamlet (yeah, Shakespeare) and Bontsha the Silent (Isaac Bashevis Singer)
• Room stylist for people’s homes
• Selling plants on a college campus quad
• Stock girl at a food co-op
• Teaching math at an elementary school
Oops, almost forgot, I was on the Board of Directors for The Dance Connection!

These are things I think I might be good at, and would like to do, or do again, and be paid:
• Acting (various)
• Archaeologist
• Artist (various, esp. photography, esp. with a Holga, which I don't actually have)
• Editor & ½ staff of a semi-regular arts publication
• Hammock demonstrator
• Librarian
• Lighthouse keeper
• Organic greenhouse worker (maybe. . .)
• Book reviewing
• Movie reviewing
• Room stylist for people’s homes
• Scribe
• Successful thief, ala Robin Hood
• Tour Guide at a museum
• Travel writing
• Writing (various)
• I would also like to be a bike messenger, but I think I would be too scared, and too easily distracted and did I mention run a Poet's Cafe? Except that would suck if the poetry was always bad!

Here are a few things I would happily do, or do again and for nothing:
• Artist (various)
• Editor & ½ staff of a semi-regular arts publication
• Beachcomber
• Book reviewing
• Movie reviewing
• Work with refugees
• Room stylist for people’s homes
• Shell gatherer (yes, it IS actually different from Beachcomber)
• Travel writing
• Writing (various)

Finally, here are things I would never, ever want to be, under any circumstances, though I TOTALLY respect those who are:
• Auctioneer
• Antiques dealer
• Competitive swimmer
• Computer programmer
• Balloon ascensionist or racer
• Bridal consultant
• Factory worker
• Pilot
• Housekeeper
• Someone who works with the “criminally insane”
• Plumber, or anything to do with sewage, it totally makes me gaggy
• Podiatrist
• Stripper
• Surgeon, or work in a morgue, or for the autopsy peeps (see Plumber)
• Theatrical agent
• Window Installer
• Zookeeper

What about you???

Designs & Ragtags

Have you ever managed to scroll all the way to the bottom of my blog? If you have, you know eventually you'll find a cool art quote and a yumma libation. A day or so ago, the cocktail recipe was for something called a Merry Berry, which I am totally going to try, just as soon as I get past my next deadline, and my next payday! If you want to try it NOW, well, here ya go:

Merry Berry
1/2 bottle vodka
2 large handfuls strawberries - NICE! I love recipes which involve "handfuls".
Also, recipes that use the word "whizz" (see below).
4 shots gin
lemonade
Soak the strawberries in the vodka. Place in fridge overnight, or at least a few hours before you make the cocktail. Place strawberries, vodka, and ice cubes in blender and whizz until crushed, add gin and lemonade to taste, pour into a pitcher, and serve in tall chilled glasses.

Something Simple, To Wear In The Garden

Don't forget, before you watch this clip, turn down that Ragtags music, via the
slider on the player. It's located to the right, toward the top of the sidebar . . .

It's a Key Lime Play Day!

Thursday morning, 6:00 a.m.

And for now, I'm outta here (this is today's version of what the

little boys see, walking in their door every weekday morning):

Spring forward

To celebrate the imminent arrival of Spring, bedecked (we hope) in her full glory (frigid winds and forecast of snow later today notwithstanding), the Villa Wafers front stoop has a new adornment. If you're so inclined, I bet you can get your own similar from the always artful, irreverently irresistible, and captivatingly kicky Ms. Lisa, right here. And if ya want a mailbox kinda like this one, well for that, see me; I'm taking orders. . .

Trivial Pursuit

I got this today from my neighbor, Niamh. Decided to go ahead and post, as there are a few different questions for this round.

WELCOME TO THE 2008 EDITION OF GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FRIENDS.
THE THEORY IS: YOU WILL LEARN A LOT OF LITTLE THINGS ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN. . .

1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 5:55 am (but not of my own free will!)

2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? pearls

3. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? this past Friday night - Jumper

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Project Runway

5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? coffee and chocolate

6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Elynn

7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? ketchup

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD? a mix cd my friend Tiffini just made, of unexpected covers

9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? umm, a bike is not a car is it. . .

10. FAVORITE SANDWICH? tempeh burger at Avo's!

11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE? deliberate meanness

12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? a cardigan

13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? right now, Jamaica or India

15. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? Free People but I would love to have a closet full of Roberto Cavalli

16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? with Colin, probably Ashland Oregon or Italy, by myself Chicago, NYC or maybe Quebec ---

17. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? well, I've had a lot of great ones! but when I turned 6, it got canceled because my brother had chicken pox on every inch of his body

18. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? baseball

19. FURTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS TO: not sure, probably Norway

21. PERSON YOU EXPECT TO ANSWER: Denise

22. FAVORITE SAYING? Power to the People!

23. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? May 13

24. YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? night

25. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE? 7 1/2

26. PETS? kitty Janie, dog Josie

27. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? Season Finale of Project Runway is this Wed!

28. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? a writer

29. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? fab

30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? not too into candy, but maybe SweetTarts

31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? Daisy

32. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? March 10

33. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? Sarah Elynn Fishburn Gerety

34. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? High School Musical (Sebastian is watching it while I work)

35. LAST THING YOU ATE? homemade bean soup, yum

36. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? who doesn't?

37. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? maybe rose

38. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? sunny but fuh-reezing

39. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? dry: kumquat

40. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? hard one - maybe Tomasita's in Santa Fe. . .

41. SIBLINGS? 3 brothers

42. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? almost any day in early summer

43. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? my Betsy McCall doll in her ice skater costume

44. SUMMER OR WINTER: summer

46. COFFEE OR TEA? coffee

47. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? chocolate

48. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO E-MAIL YOU BACK? always!

49. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? yesterday!

50. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? dust

51. WHO IS THE FRIEND YOU'VE HAD THE LONGEST? Chris

53. FAVORITE SMELL? sometimes it's the smell of all the dinners being cooked on a late summer or early fall evening, when the doors to everyone's houses are still wide open to the world, kind of mixing on the breeze

54. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? 1) not being a good person 2) losing a child

55. SALTY OR SWEET? sour

56. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR KEY CHAIN? 1

57. HOW MANY YEARS AT YOUR CURRENT JOB? 3ish

58. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK - Saturday

59. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? 16

60. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY? yes

It's called déconstruction. . .