Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Studious


School has officially opened in our area. The little munchkins are ensconced in their classrooms, tucked in with their books and their pencils, hopefully gleaning a spot of education from time to time. The best part- Mom has a smidgen of time to herself to catch up on housework (ha ha), to quietly curl up with a book or a blanket (even better),or to create a work of art (or two). My child asked me one day last year, "Mom, what do you do while I'm in school all day?". I enumerated a list of my activities for that day and the swift response from the kid was, "Is that all you could manage to accomplish for the seven whole hours I was gone?". I formed a frown between my eyes, pursed my lips, took a breath and started to defend myself. But then I thought, "So what? So what if I only get a few things done? Or nothing?". Life is not always about what you produce. Sometimes the best thing is to just play hooky from the laundry and go to the early morning flick at the theater (the best time EVER). Just don't confess it to anyone when you do. And, in my case, it's always a good idea to destroy the evidence (throw away the movie stub) before the kid discovers it.

The vintage postcard featured in this post is 99 years old (!). Obviously, the theme of the card is school. However, I am deeply perplexed as to what the message actually means on this card. Who, exactly, is Ophelia? And why is she sticking her tongue out and acting loopy? Who is the odd looking fellow behind her? A stalker? A friend? What does "They'll never get ripe if you pick 'em" really mean in this context? One possible explanation: if you drop out of school, you'll never have a complete education. You'll wind up wandering the streets, looking vaguely like Ophelia there. I don't know. Anybody else have any theories out there? Share your views. At any rate, it is a charming, if somewhat strange little card. Just wanted to share since it's 'Back to School' time!
I have been putting some new items in my stores lately, Now that school is open, more things will be stocked every couple of days. Every item is unique- I don't make duplicates as a general rule. So if you see something you like, snap it up! That's what I do, perhaps more often than I should. I never learn.
"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows."- Sydney J. Harris
"I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework."- Lily Tomlin as 'Edith Ann'
"Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire."- William Butler Yeats

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Available


Just putting everyone on notice: my stores are open again after a brief break. The storefronts have been re-decorated and I am working on re-stocking a bit at a time. Shipping costs have been lowered. Please feel free to browse!

Also, to those who may be interested, I do custom work on jewelry and beads. Please contact me thru either one of my shops if you have a request. Happy browsing!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Fresh


I have been absent. My absence was supposed to be due to a much-needed vacation. That was the original plan. But life has a way of making it's own plans and we have no choice but to follow. The day before I was to leave on my planned, plotted, course-laid-in journey, my back decided to spaz out in a big way ( a recurring problem). Bottom line: I had to stay home while others in the family went on vacation anyway. Well, I didn't want everyone to miss out while I stayed home. How very noble of me. Truth is, I felt as if I had been forcibly imprisoned. So I did what all good prisoners do. I fought valiantly against my bonds and, after accepting the utter futility of my circumstances, I finally resigned myself to it and made the best of an unpleasant situation. Tears and frustration only accomplish so much, after all. It was time to turn things around.

I decided to use my time to make gobs of jewelry and beads. I could only work in short, frequent bursts. But I got a lot done and feel rather satisfied in the end. I closed my online stores in order to take my trip. Since I did not go, I revamped my stores and will soon be opening them once again, stocked with some fresh goodies. I'll give notice of the re-opening. Please come for a visit!

(Beads pictured in this post will soon be available for purchase.)

"Life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all."- 'The Princess Bride'

"Reality continues to ruin my life."- Calvin and Hobbes