My mom lives in a converted 1930s hotel, in a charming corner of downtown.
Courtyard Fountain
This courtyard fountain is a neat little touch. If I lived there, I would probably photograph it every day.
I’m nobody, who are you?
This literary paper doll was a birthday gift from my mom about 5 years ago. She lives on a shelf in my studio, staring at me from behind a glazed ceramic urn full of Tardis dessert flags.
Beauty is not caused. It is.
Her deceptively simple poetry quickens the mind, the heart, the blood, the creativity that dwells within us all, hidden yet frantic to escape.
I do the blogging for a local gallery chain. We carry a lot of Charley Harper pieces (as in, the most in the world). Nine months ago, this would have meant absolutely nothing to me. Even though I’ve moved (mostly) in and (occasionally) out of the art world for the bulk of my adult life, I had barely heard of him before starting this gig. Back in “the day”-in this case the 1950s onwards-he did a lot of illustrations for a magazine called the Ford Times, which I had definitely never heard of. Even though I love old periodicals. (I think I can be forgiven for not reading old copies of a lifestyle magazine put out by the Ford Motor Company, right?) Anyway, I will try to wrap this up in a neat, figurative bow because, well, this is a diversion piece. As we know, in my universe, that constitutes a few sentences and a photograph or two. Moving on….
Ford Times, November 1958
I met a delightful old man yesterday afternoon. After he found out that I sometimes write about Charley Harper, he gave me this excellently preserved copy of the Ford Times. Although I have seen most of the prints made from these illustrations, I had never seen the magazine before. I had no idea that it was so small! I thought that it was a full-sized periodical.
Top: Flamingo by Charley Harper Bottom: Purple Gallinule by Charley Harper
He didn’t just gift me with any Ford Times issue, but one that featured some of the images I have written about. I love the flying flamingo in the background of the top illustration.
Tents with New Ideas
This layout makes me want to go camping, badly. But only if I can have that awesome car and the sweet tent, which actually makes setting up camp look fun! This story alone made my day (I’m weird like that). Thank you, Mr. Old Man! Your gift is in good hands.
One of the happiest couples I know.
This photograph has an almost pointillistic quality. That’s only fitting, considering that the affectionate couple is part of a topiary park that is a living version of a Georges Seurat painting.
We recently checked out the hot new taco/tequila/whiskey place in an “up-and-coming” part of town that we frequent. (Note: In this case, “up-and-coming” means semi-gentrified with a side order of flying bullets.) A stack of these cards was sitting on the bar.
“The Dirty Bird”
The food was good, the tequila was excellent. Seeing Hunter S. Thompson looking up at me from behind dark glasses was a bit of unexpected fun. Now, on to the other side:
Red Headed Stranger Recipe Card
Hmmm, ginger and bitters are two of my favourite things. I’ll probably go back just to try this. Oh, and let’s face it: I’m a sucker for dead writers. If they put a Virginia Woolf Gin Fizz on the menu, I’ll never leave.
Remnants: tea
My aunt Jane has way too many tea pots, so she gave this blue beauty to my husband. He has been making pots of strong, hot tea since we returned from vacation a few days ago. We already had two-a pale golden yellow and a deep, sprightly green-but he wanted one of his own. Who knew?
“Earth laughs in flowers.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson
I spied these flowers last week while out walking in my mother’s urban neighborhood. The fence and the jailed flowers it guards belong to a sorority house.
Duncan's Sweet Paws
Duncan was the best wedding gift ever.
Apfel Strudel Remains
We killed this Apfel Strudel. The Maibock was not far behind.
Crosley
When I take a break from my writing, it is usually to scratch a dog’s ears. Ah, the perks of working at home.
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 