Shopping for signature

 
 

Yep, some things just speak to me when
I'm shopping. The reasons are apparent.
Right now I'm doing a housecall for
someone and her adjustable shelves that
flank the fireplace call out for a
"signature" piece with some personality.
Everything else we've incorporated looks
good but it's my opinion that rooms need
to have "something" that draws you in and
evokes a smile or some interest. I'm no
expert and can only go by my own what I
like. Here's a couple of my likes.

 

Tanglefoot venue

 

We all (Mark,Mary,Brian and Jack and me) loved the Tanglefoot studio venue located in an old
warehouse in the furthest southwest corner of the Artprize area. The warehouse/studio had
great big windows on the 4th floor where the art was and showed it off well. The stairwells
were study concrete with great patina'd walls and huge cool doors here and there.
When we came out we were attracted to the adjoining business which was actually closed and not
functioning cause it was Saturday. It was a mostly metal scape junkyard where piles of different
metals were obviously sorted by type and later crushed stood. The 3 of us with cameras had a
field day there before moving downtown to where more "real" art awaited.

Artprize 2009

 

Today my friend Jane and I went to Artprize in downtown Grand Rapids. It did not disappoint us. First of all, it was a beautiful day and the venue has quite a few outside pieces of art. We were amazed and in awe at the ingenuity used in
all different mediums. Sculptures in wood and metal and even fiberglass and really many more. We saw a old Hudson coming out of the ground all in white, a gigantic table and chair set poised on top of a bridge. Loch "Nessie" in the rushing waters of the Grand River whom even moves and makes noises. Pencil drawing of a woman that could have been a
photograph so fine was the work. A man sitting with a widescreen tv head as well as a real man spraypainted copper standing perfectly still like a statue. All in all there are over 1200 artists displayed in the downtown area in various
buildings and businesses. It is amazing and must been seen to get the true "feel" of the whole experience. I understand this is a 3 year committment on the part of the DeVos's. Yet another gift to the city of Grand Rapids that I as a lucky
resident gladly accept and enjoy. Even if you don't live here it's worth the trip!

mancave 2

 

Still a work in progress but did get the new sofa, it's very light (and treated)
awaiting the ottoman that matches, pictures, new curtain rods, color touches........
well this is a good start!

Welcome to this world baby girl!

The lastest addition to our family, Edie Elizabeth Anzalone born yesterday.
Daughter of Randall and Holly and sister to Isaac.........welcome and congrats!

Bear window

 

A strange capture in my ever increasing "window" collection today.............

Mancave 1

I'm starting to work on making the "mancave" more homey and warm for Mark. This is the start. In the empty frames will go family photos taken by Dave Wild on the beach at the Homestead. These are just 3 corners that are started. I will not be happy til many other things come together in this room. But that is the fun of it for me..........getting it to come together. I'll keep you posted.

September morn 2

 

Each day is unique and what the eye sees quite different. My morning walk changes with the seasons.........

A is for Alyson the artist

 

Today "our" Alyson was awarded the best in show for her category which was painting at the Art in the Park
show in Rockford. Alyson works with me at Baskets and is such a delightful young person that she gives you
hope for her generation's future. She embodies all that is good and is a credit to the parents who raised her.
She works hard at anything she does and she does it with flair. In all the years she's worked with me we've
been kindred spirits of sorts. Listening to each others project details and she's somewhat of an "outside the
box" person like I am. But she's on a whole other level than me. An art student at Kendall which she works
very hard at too. I expect someday she will be a force to be reckoned with and I will be able to say I knew her
when. Way to go Alyson! All of us "babes" are very proud of you!

L with a capital L

 

After I left home in 1969 I moved to East Lansing. Home of MSU, and my home for the next 3 years. I saw much and "grew up" there. My first job in travel, first time really on my own. I lived with all students in an apartment in Cedar Village for most of my time there. That is where I met my future husband. It was a time of great change in our "times" with riots in the streets and flower power and all that the late '60's stood for. No, I was never a college student but I experienced all of the extra things "they" experienced. I just didn't have to study like I watched them do. Instead ,I learned how to make my way in world. Honed my craft so to speak. Travel would be what I'd do for the next 30 years of my life. It helped support my future family for years to come. I was a good student. I learned everything I could from a master.......Jim Miller. During my years there he was the president of ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents). I was his secretary or in these times "assistant". It enabled me to learn and cull knowledge for my own future as a travel agency owner with my husband. I am proud of the fact that I qualified us for opening and owning our own agency. It sustained us and our children for many years. Sorry that I digress, but many of you may not know all this.
For 25 plus years I was an intregal part of support for my family.
When I look back on the years I spent in East Lansing the greatest blessing I can say I had besides the fact I met Mark is making one of dearest friends I'll ever have in this life. In all the years I've known her, 40........she has never
changed and is one of the steadist rudders in my life. In all that she has accomplished in her own life, being much, she has always remained the very same Lonell I have always known. Not to say she hasn't grown and done much. She just remains the same "true" person she has always been. Of all the people I've known in this life of mine, she has remained the least "affected" by her circumstances. Somehow I know that she will always be one of people I am always the easiest with. That my friends is a "true" friend. Thank you L...............for being my friend.

September morn

 
Yes, it's September............

Live Traffic Feed and Followers

Two apps that I have elected to add to my blog page are Live Traffic feed which shows "where" someone hitting on my blog comes from and how they got there. Via blogger.com or from another blog that links mine or someone who follows and has my blog as one of their favorites etc. It's interesting to look at and gives one an idea of where atleast someone might be reading your blog from. I can tell who "some" are some of the time, others I have no idea. Surely Wildthings is a draw but must also be a disappointment when it fails the wild part.
Followers are those that have taken the time to let me know they read my blog. I appreciate them for I may still do it without them but it's nice to know someone
is interested however mundane the blog may be. If you are a follower but not listed as such.......take a minute and identify yourself as such. You can even do it under open ID and u don't even have to add a picture. As Dave would say become a "peep" and make my day.

Sunrise

two beautiful sunrises......each different but equally lovely

Labor day images

I've only recently started taking pictures seriously. Someday I may even try to "really" understand photography. But til then,just taking lots of pictures and coming back to the computer and "playing" with them is great fun.
Why I like certain ones goes back to my own artistic bent for sure. Someday I hope
to be better at it but as with anything else..........practice makes perfect and it
sure is fun learning.
A few of my favorites from this weekend........

Photography of the past

My camera fits in my pants pocket and takes just fine pictures. Cameras from the past not so much. I just bought this "little" model today just cause it looked cool and was under $20. But it made me think how many more people take pictures today then did in the day they had cameras like this. My we've come a long way baby!

Water wings

 

Although Dylan hasn't gotten a "love of the water" yet he soon may. In a week or so
he'll be starting swimming lessons. Too soon you might think? His mother had her
first encounter underwater at the YMCA at the age of 6 months. So determined was
I that my kids learn to swim because I never seemed to get the knack of it. Living
on a lake from birth til they left home might have had something to do with it too.
In any case we are all anxious to see how Dylan does and if he could possibly be the
next Michael Phelps. If he gets his Dad's physical makeup he's a shoo-in.

Steady as a rock

I can't seem to just walk past them or on them. Some people can, but there are those of us who seem to be drawn to the uniqueness and beauty of these little pieces of nature. I could and have spent hours searching along the waters edge for those worthy of closer inspection. Some of them just have to come home with me. I feel as though this preoccupation with finding a special creation of nature feeds an inner need to reflect. Mother Nature is as pure an artist as there is. Don't you
agree?