Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
a visit
Yesterday, I visited my former college campus.
It was a picturesque day, the dappled light filtering through the trees, large stones building ermerging from amongst the grassy hills. Memories lazily floated in my mind....triumphs, laughs and occasional regrets.
This past week Rosemont hosted a writer's retreat in conjunction with the literary journal, Philadelphia Stories. I was keen to attend the retreat, but other responsibilities claimed me. Fortunately I was able to squeeze this free lecture in by a very favorite poet of mine, Anne Kaier.
Anne was one of the associate editors of American Writing, A Magazine while I was an editorial assistant there with Alexandra Grilikhes the magazine's creator and editor.
This past November, I had seen Anne read at another venue in November with a very new little person, it was our first real outing. It was wonderful to see her read. She is arresting. & to hear her speak yesterday about her process, what poetry is like for her, where she is coming from...her humor....all were amazing. I related with her so much that my soul was just giggling the whole time. I think we share the same process. She didn't come out and say this, but I got the feeling that poetry just happens for her, which I really relate too. The visuals appear in my mind. It links things together and the language just comes. I loved her honesty. That was one of the things she spoke about yesterday, honesty. How truth is left to the poets, perhaps one of the reasons that doesn't make us very popular in the culture. She, in her words, is a confessional poet & I am very much in the same vane.
Since my visit to Rosemont yesterday, I have been visiting with ghosts. Alexandra, died, 6 years ago. Sandy Crimmins, a former associate editor with the a magazine, died almost a year ago. The two were my connection to Philadelphia and poetry. I was a naive student when I met the two. I remember feeling some of the time, that I just didn't get the conversation. After seeing Anne yesterday, hearing her moving work, thinking of myself and reflecting on what was said all those years ago, I am starting to get their meaning. Beginning to understand the depths of who they were as poets & women. Who I am becoming.
Its overwhelming, powerful....like waves behind my eyes.
In my search to provide some links to these amazing poets, I came across these from Robin's Bookstore in Philadelphia, Anne Kaier, reading Skull a poem for Alexandra
& poems by Alexandra. A poem by Sandy Crimmins.
These ghosts are reminding me of who I am, someone who rings herself out again & again...
It was a picturesque day, the dappled light filtering through the trees, large stones building ermerging from amongst the grassy hills. Memories lazily floated in my mind....triumphs, laughs and occasional regrets.
This past week Rosemont hosted a writer's retreat in conjunction with the literary journal, Philadelphia Stories. I was keen to attend the retreat, but other responsibilities claimed me. Fortunately I was able to squeeze this free lecture in by a very favorite poet of mine, Anne Kaier.
Anne was one of the associate editors of American Writing, A Magazine while I was an editorial assistant there with Alexandra Grilikhes the magazine's creator and editor.
This past November, I had seen Anne read at another venue in November with a very new little person, it was our first real outing. It was wonderful to see her read. She is arresting. & to hear her speak yesterday about her process, what poetry is like for her, where she is coming from...her humor....all were amazing. I related with her so much that my soul was just giggling the whole time. I think we share the same process. She didn't come out and say this, but I got the feeling that poetry just happens for her, which I really relate too. The visuals appear in my mind. It links things together and the language just comes. I loved her honesty. That was one of the things she spoke about yesterday, honesty. How truth is left to the poets, perhaps one of the reasons that doesn't make us very popular in the culture. She, in her words, is a confessional poet & I am very much in the same vane.
Since my visit to Rosemont yesterday, I have been visiting with ghosts. Alexandra, died, 6 years ago. Sandy Crimmins, a former associate editor with the a magazine, died almost a year ago. The two were my connection to Philadelphia and poetry. I was a naive student when I met the two. I remember feeling some of the time, that I just didn't get the conversation. After seeing Anne yesterday, hearing her moving work, thinking of myself and reflecting on what was said all those years ago, I am starting to get their meaning. Beginning to understand the depths of who they were as poets & women. Who I am becoming.
Its overwhelming, powerful....like waves behind my eyes.
In my search to provide some links to these amazing poets, I came across these from Robin's Bookstore in Philadelphia, Anne Kaier, reading Skull a poem for Alexandra
& poems by Alexandra. A poem by Sandy Crimmins.
These ghosts are reminding me of who I am, someone who rings herself out again & again...
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Did I mention I made it to the Art Star Bazaar?
Yes, in my perpetual tardiness I think I may have failed to mention that I made it to the 2nd Annual Art Star Craft Bazaar last Sunday here in Hotdelphia (yes, I know we are no Hotlanta, but it accurately describes this fair city)
I do believe fun was had by a few....
I met and purchased a small object, this here celebration candle.
Saw some friends over at Erika Ebert's booth
& hung out with some lovelies who provided a video expose of our adventure...
fun was had by all & it was wonderful to see such creativity and inspiration all around.
Since the Bazaar was at Penn's Landing along the Delaware River we got to see a boat safety exhibition along the river complete with a helicopter dropping off two officers on a barge while it was moving....
I do believe fun was had by a few....
I met and purchased a small object, this here celebration candle.
Saw some friends over at Erika Ebert's booth
& hung out with some lovelies who provided a video expose of our adventure...
fun was had by all & it was wonderful to see such creativity and inspiration all around.
Since the Bazaar was at Penn's Landing along the Delaware River we got to see a boat safety exhibition along the river complete with a helicopter dropping off two officers on a barge while it was moving....
Sunday, June 08, 2008
The Bike Race, evidence that I am old
I have been pretty quite of late on this blog. I definitely didn't make it through the post a day in May....but I am still here....kicking it real...(I can't believe I just wrote that.) Its been a bit eventful around here, started back to work this past week, which was a bit unexpected. Its nice to be at work part time, but I miss my little. He has taken the growing this week leaps and bounds; sitting on his own, a new tooth and standing while holding on to something. He even called me "mama" He is just growing so fast & I am trying to enjoy each and ever moment. So mixed in with all that growing has been the start of a heatwave....we are in the midst of it. & this weekend was the annual Philadelphia Bike Race we live a block away from the route. The route that sits atop the infamous Wall The Bike Race here means throngs of drunken young people traipsing through the streets & this year especially they were minimally clothed. In my time away from Philly, I grew used few young people being around. In Maine, youngin's (18-25) left to stake there fortunes somewhere more promising & the ones who stayed, seemed to enjoy that the others left. Coming back here its a smorgasborg of bubbling drunken youth. Especially our town which is the Lenape indian word for "a place to drink" Welcome to Manayunk, Can I get you a drink? Check out this little slide or these party people.... This weekend is the neighborhoods peak of drinking. I used to be one of the revelers...& indeed I had fun. I was at the first Bike Race in 1985, a wee youngin' hanging out on the wall with my family, when virtually no one else was around. I contend that they were probably the Bike Race's first hardcore drinkers.... The Bike Race this year definitely brought home the reality that I am in my 30's with two small children. I had to slap on the sunscreen, hats for both the kids and could only stay out for a brief period of time, for it was too hot for the kids. & as for drinking....I will take a water please...
As a side note, its 11pm here & there are still drunken people wandering around. I just found a young couple on my stoop sucking face, they leapt up when I turned the light on! Geez, I just might very well be my grandmother!
As a side note, its 11pm here & there are still drunken people wandering around. I just found a young couple on my stoop sucking face, they leapt up when I turned the light on! Geez, I just might very well be my grandmother!
Monday, May 19, 2008
an evening stroll
Towards the end of what I read was called "the arsenic hour" last week, Milo, Nate and I decide to take a stroll around the block, to soothe our souls and clear our heads. I took some photos of the many sights we encountered in the evening.....here are some of the favorites.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Starstuff
Many moons ago, back in the early 80's I would wake at 6am on the weekends and catch
this show on CBS. It was about a boy named Chris who somehow through the television
found a girl named Ingrid in a space colony. They would speak through the TV & share
Laurel & Hardy shorts and a puppet show called the Edge of Time. It was an odd show,
& when I would ask my peers about it, they would not know what I was talking about.
It was really exciting that Chris knew the show. At least we knew that we didn't dream it up,
it was on quite early and the premise of the program was kinda wonky.
Well last night I implored Chris to go online to find some information, perhaps a name to
the show.....
Low and behold......Starstuff.
A show produced in Philly in the early 80's for one season.
Apparently we weren't the only ones who thought we were dreaming...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
bunny love
This past Saturday I was turned loose on the sales & came away with some sweet finds. This little blue bunny (not to be confused with this blue bunny) has a real cotton tail....I've never seen a cotton ball dispenser quite so clever, although my Mom assured me they have been around for quite some time.
To compliment this little hopper I found this blue tray, which will match the blue room.
They hadn't quite made it to the blue room yet & have been hanging out in the dining room, where I found them this morning...not quite sure how the silk rose got there, but it was striking. I think altogether like that will look quite lovely on the bureau....
To compliment this little hopper I found this blue tray, which will match the blue room.
They hadn't quite made it to the blue room yet & have been hanging out in the dining room, where I found them this morning...not quite sure how the silk rose got there, but it was striking. I think altogether like that will look quite lovely on the bureau....
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
our new arrival
Ray's Junkyard is filling up fast. This weekend Chris picked up this 1977 VW Westy from Maryland. What fun it is dissecting & cleaning 31 years of dirt & fun. I don't think the man who owned it cleaned it out once. There was a whole collection of "beetleskins" in the glove box, plus various bits of ephemera scattered under seats, behind cabinets & such. There were bottles, clothes, tools, books, a pill box with the alien from Borroughs Naked Lunch...
Here are some photos....a veritable feast for the eyes....
Here are some photos....a veritable feast for the eyes....
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Easy-to-Make Old Fashioned Rag Doll
For Milo's Birthday he received a birthday package from his Tanta Sue from a Toy Garden. In it was not only 2 kits for Milo to put together but a little gift for me, too The Easy-to-Make Early American Folk Dolls Pattern Book. The book details 12 doll patterns & some history of primitive dolls and american doll history. It was an enjoyable read & bonus, the patterns weren't hard to follow at all. I have an aversion to patterns generally but was eager to get started with this...only after I helped Milo with his kits first, mind you....
This was my first attempt in making a doll. Its been on my mind for about 15 years...I had been wanting to make one for my cousin Genevie when she turned one....now she will be 16 at the end of this month....I am thinking it might be a bit late...
The doll making was a great learning experience and she turned out pretty good for a first try. Luckly I ran into some organic wool and cotton yarn this weekend at a flea market for 75 cents a skein so this little lovely can have some hair. Still flumoxed on how to add hair since it wasn't quite detailed in the pattern book. basically I just sewed it on with embroidery floss which seem to double as "barrettes". I am enjoying the black cotton yarn, but if you look at her from behind, her hair appears to be dreadlocks, which I guess is kind of normal for yarn hair....
Here is a full frontal....it was great making the dress too...It came together alot easier than I thought. A lot of fun too!
We delivered little miss to Bayliegh, Tanta Sue's daughter, this afternoon. She loved on her right away. Speaking of loved on her....
here is Chris giving her some love before we walked out the door. I must go now, I am itching to cut out some more doll parts before the little one wakes up for some milk....
ciao!
This was my first attempt in making a doll. Its been on my mind for about 15 years...I had been wanting to make one for my cousin Genevie when she turned one....now she will be 16 at the end of this month....I am thinking it might be a bit late...
The doll making was a great learning experience and she turned out pretty good for a first try. Luckly I ran into some organic wool and cotton yarn this weekend at a flea market for 75 cents a skein so this little lovely can have some hair. Still flumoxed on how to add hair since it wasn't quite detailed in the pattern book. basically I just sewed it on with embroidery floss which seem to double as "barrettes". I am enjoying the black cotton yarn, but if you look at her from behind, her hair appears to be dreadlocks, which I guess is kind of normal for yarn hair....
Here is a full frontal....it was great making the dress too...It came together alot easier than I thought. A lot of fun too!
We delivered little miss to Bayliegh, Tanta Sue's daughter, this afternoon. She loved on her right away. Speaking of loved on her....
here is Chris giving her some love before we walked out the door. I must go now, I am itching to cut out some more doll parts before the little one wakes up for some milk....
ciao!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
this is what a mother looks like....
a little mother's day photo of me nursing in front of the computer....
Thursday, May 08, 2008
the BAG
What seems like forever ago, the time before Nate came, I made a bag. It was intended to be The Nappy Bag by Amy Butler, but my adversion to getting through an actual pattern took me away from it to go on my own bagging adventure, to some mixed results. On my way to the induction and following birth of my second son, I was feverishly sewing up the bag, mere minutes before we left for the hospital. It made me feel good knowing it was coming along.
I wanted the bag big, to stash all those incidentals that having two kids require you carry; drinks, coats, snacks, balls, diapers, change of cloths, a bit of craft and the sling.....so I needed it to be roomy, yet lightweight. Here is the result....
I love the bag....its different & can handle all the things that I need to carry, but I think it might be too big....sometimes when I am wearing Nate in the sling, with the bag slung around back, people think I have two children...& really, its soo big, I could truly fit 3 Nate's in the there. It size has made it an object of jest.
Honestly, things do get lost in there.....like my phone, or heaven forbid the keys.....so I am debating, whether to scale down this one, or just make one a bit smaller? I was impressed that I pulled that one off, with only a few alterations towards the end.....& this BIG bag does have its place sometimes....
I also whipped up a changing pad....
But I think that the bag needs to stick around...we all know that I think big = beautiful...
I wanted the bag big, to stash all those incidentals that having two kids require you carry; drinks, coats, snacks, balls, diapers, change of cloths, a bit of craft and the sling.....so I needed it to be roomy, yet lightweight. Here is the result....
I love the bag....its different & can handle all the things that I need to carry, but I think it might be too big....sometimes when I am wearing Nate in the sling, with the bag slung around back, people think I have two children...& really, its soo big, I could truly fit 3 Nate's in the there. It size has made it an object of jest.
Honestly, things do get lost in there.....like my phone, or heaven forbid the keys.....so I am debating, whether to scale down this one, or just make one a bit smaller? I was impressed that I pulled that one off, with only a few alterations towards the end.....& this BIG bag does have its place sometimes....
I also whipped up a changing pad....
But I think that the bag needs to stick around...we all know that I think big = beautiful...
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Cinco de Milo
& you catch me every day
little one
with your unfailing adventure,
your curiousity
& your ability to make me smile.
little one
with your unfailing adventure,
your curiousity
& your ability to make me smile.
getting on the ball
These little lovelies are from the "Bend the Rules Sewing" Book by Amy Karol. They are quite simple to make and also its so nice to see Nate in them!
I really enjoy the calendar one. Its made from a vintage tea towel, circa 1978....I made sure his November is on there. I am excited to make more of them. There simplicity adds to my "speed demon" sewing side. In Amy's Book she lists the different sewing types. I believe I identify with the speed demon. I like quality, fair enough, but I enjoy swing something simple, that moves along quickly and have lots to show at the end of a session.....
I really enjoy the calendar one. Its made from a vintage tea towel, circa 1978....I made sure his November is on there. I am excited to make more of them. There simplicity adds to my "speed demon" sewing side. In Amy's Book she lists the different sewing types. I believe I identify with the speed demon. I like quality, fair enough, but I enjoy swing something simple, that moves along quickly and have lots to show at the end of a session.....
Saturday, May 03, 2008
post-y
So I thought I might keth-up & play along with some post-ness....lets see if I get all them all in, minus the 2 that I have already missed...perhaps I will make them up in June.
We are hectic getting ready for Milo's Birthday Party today...there is hummus to be made & a cake to be decorated.....a shirt to be appliqued...
hopefully the rain will hold till tomorrow!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
spring
Pennsylvania springs are amazing.....they stretch long & lazy......its been truly fantastic, I had even forgotten about magnolias! How?! & Pink Dogwoods....just delicious....this photo, I am not quite sure what kinda of flowering tree it is......
Have actually been crafting lately. Here is proof....
This is the fort keys flag....designed & made last friday by Milo & I for his almost finished fort....he loves his fort, it even has a fort "deck" so its great for playing pirate ship.....Milo is quite the inspiration these days.
I need to make him an appliqued shirt for his birthday. I better get on it, its almost here....
Have actually been crafting lately. Here is proof....
This is the fort keys flag....designed & made last friday by Milo & I for his almost finished fort....he loves his fort, it even has a fort "deck" so its great for playing pirate ship.....Milo is quite the inspiration these days.
I need to make him an appliqued shirt for his birthday. I better get on it, its almost here....
Friday, April 25, 2008
the friday archives
Feeling a bit posty today and when I stumbled upon the friday archive at loobylu I felt the need to participate and perhaps set myself at least a weekly goal. Its not been to hard for me either, to unearth the archives, because they happen to be sitting beside my desk for another project....bully for me, hmm
So this poem, titled For Chris is an old but goody, I say circa 2001
enjoy my sweets!
I think about the cold too often,
my feet chill in the kitchen & I hate to wear socks,
they keep sticking to the carpet with static electricity--like glue.
Its raining & I can't stop thinking about what it feels like to be a bird,
as I scrunch, I wonder about flying
in the cold night sky
then I remember motorcycle rides in the fall
when the cold air would blow up my polyester uniform
& blast my supple virginity,
like the bird.
I think of summer to often
& I am in want of humidity,
in want of green fields that pull me to the earth
with tumbles and earthworms and grass tickling my thighs
I want warm kisses at the closest darkest moments of the night
when you hear the crickets rumble in insatiable torment
from the trees
& fans vibrate on window sills
& that moment when bodies bring connection & disconection
and your floating in warm damp sheets
& the moon calls with a wan on your insides,
bringing you discontent.
Once on a beach in New Hampshire
I found sweetness,
but it fell in the ocean & swam away from me
like a salmon upstream
expecting to mare against the current.
tis the season, folks
Yes, indeed, its spring! Which means its my favorite season.....the tag sale season! We kicked off the season with the a sweet find....a dollhouse! A three-story dollhouse, with electricity and wallpaper, a fire place and all sorts of sweet goodies adorning the walls, even curtains! Very excited for the coming furniture making and people making. Its definitely a girl-hood fantasy fulfilled.
Also had a wonderful find this weekend. A child's sewing machine circa 1974....its works, I am just looking for a bobbin case....I am happy to say that Milo is pretty impatient about getting that machine up and running. He loves to sew, boy after my own heart.
Also had a wonderful find this weekend. A child's sewing machine circa 1974....its works, I am just looking for a bobbin case....I am happy to say that Milo is pretty impatient about getting that machine up and running. He loves to sew, boy after my own heart.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
fabric row, philadelphia
Last week, while on a search to replicate a certain favorite garment, it took me and a crafting cohort to Philly's famous Fabric Row.
One of the things that I love about this city is its murals. Started by the Anti-Graffiti Network it has truly marked the city with rare gems. I am always stumbling upon new murals and it thrills me. I was happy to find a flickr group of them as well.
As for the fabric, I did find something that hopefully will work in the cotton/poly broadcloth variety....lets hope it pays off.
As for Fabric Row, I was remiss to forget how wonderful it truly is...The last time I went was to pick fabric for my wedding dress, this was before I entered the world of sewing on my own. What a community...if one store didn't have what I was looking for they sent me to another.....& there was even a store for millenary supplies....wonder of wonders! It oozed of old world & South
One of the things that I love about this city is its murals. Started by the Anti-Graffiti Network it has truly marked the city with rare gems. I am always stumbling upon new murals and it thrills me. I was happy to find a flickr group of them as well.
As for the fabric, I did find something that hopefully will work in the cotton/poly broadcloth variety....lets hope it pays off.
As for Fabric Row, I was remiss to forget how wonderful it truly is...The last time I went was to pick fabric for my wedding dress, this was before I entered the world of sewing on my own. What a community...if one store didn't have what I was looking for they sent me to another.....& there was even a store for millenary supplies....wonder of wonders! It oozed of old world & South
Philly & was definitely an authentic shopping experience. It also was great to support local shops!
As for crafting with Milo...we made felt balls this week....
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
the sling
This post has been a long time coming.....the sling....
Purchased in the fall of 2003 when I was about one month pregnant, definitely the 1st purchase I made for the coming baby. Our friend Callie had taken me to the much loved Common Gorund Fair in Unity, Maine. I was walking through one of the stands and found a sweet and lovely woman totting her little baby around in this fantastic pouch. Mom and baby looked so happy and content, I had to purchase one. They sold me. When I brought it home that night, Chris tried it on and put his "Chris Doll" in it, we were so excited to use it! We brought it with us to Milo's birth and all that happened in that saga, we were able to do the one thing we wanted which was to walk Milo home in the sling....which is the lovely title picture with Chris here.....
The sling than became a constant.....truly a third arm. It went with us everywhere, all over Portland, airports, grocery stores, the beach, to Philly and more. If I didn't have the sling I felt lost....awkward...
The next year Chris and I toted Milo up to the Fair and were very happy to see Amber who I purchased the sling from the previous year. I am so happy to have this photo!
We toted Milo around in it till he was almost 2 yrs. old and by that point he would walk most places. I was sad to tuck it away in the closet but hoped one day to pull it out for our next little one.
In the meantime, my friend had a little lovely & she borrowed the sling for a while....& than I needed to get it back when I had Nate...it was like a homecoming. I love this sling & Nate loves it too....
I went online to try and find Amber yesterday so that I could buy my dear friend a sling of her own and I was digging up photos for her gallery on the website. It is featured in so many of our favorite pictures and has become such a part of the memories of our babies. It feels like a heirloom to me, some fabric that I hope to pass down or use with my grandchildren one day....
We chose to use a sling for different reasons...convenience and ease but most importantly to keep our little ones right up near our body and hearts....where our little ones should be....it just feels so very right.....
Purchased in the fall of 2003 when I was about one month pregnant, definitely the 1st purchase I made for the coming baby. Our friend Callie had taken me to the much loved Common Gorund Fair in Unity, Maine. I was walking through one of the stands and found a sweet and lovely woman totting her little baby around in this fantastic pouch. Mom and baby looked so happy and content, I had to purchase one. They sold me. When I brought it home that night, Chris tried it on and put his "Chris Doll" in it, we were so excited to use it! We brought it with us to Milo's birth and all that happened in that saga, we were able to do the one thing we wanted which was to walk Milo home in the sling....which is the lovely title picture with Chris here.....
The sling than became a constant.....truly a third arm. It went with us everywhere, all over Portland, airports, grocery stores, the beach, to Philly and more. If I didn't have the sling I felt lost....awkward...
The next year Chris and I toted Milo up to the Fair and were very happy to see Amber who I purchased the sling from the previous year. I am so happy to have this photo!
We toted Milo around in it till he was almost 2 yrs. old and by that point he would walk most places. I was sad to tuck it away in the closet but hoped one day to pull it out for our next little one.
In the meantime, my friend had a little lovely & she borrowed the sling for a while....& than I needed to get it back when I had Nate...it was like a homecoming. I love this sling & Nate loves it too....
I went online to try and find Amber yesterday so that I could buy my dear friend a sling of her own and I was digging up photos for her gallery on the website. It is featured in so many of our favorite pictures and has become such a part of the memories of our babies. It feels like a heirloom to me, some fabric that I hope to pass down or use with my grandchildren one day....
We chose to use a sling for different reasons...convenience and ease but most importantly to keep our little ones right up near our body and hearts....where our little ones should be....it just feels so very right.....
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Bunny ears
hey look, can you believe it....something crafty! that i made!!!! & actually photographed!!!! I made them last year....but it still counts!
I have been crafting recently & do have some photographic evidence to show.....
the bibs....
happy easter! must go & finish the potato salad, yum!
I have been crafting recently & do have some photographic evidence to show.....
the bibs....
happy easter! must go & finish the potato salad, yum!
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