REDONDOWRITER'S SACRED ORDINARY

Eleven Pit Bulls a Piping

A few weeks ago I posted about the birth of 13 pit bull puppies. Their mom Justice is my grandson Anthony's pit bull and watching them grow has been amazing.

Later on I will be adopting a new dog, but I'll admit, lovely as my grandsons dogs are, I have been influenced by the bad press that pit bulls get. I certainly wouldn't want to own one. On the other hand, you can't help to be deeply moved by each puppy's milk breath and their little squeals of delight and wonder. I know that a lot of the pit bull behavior reported in the press is partly urban legend.

It's amazing to think that this pile of puppies could be menaces somewhere down the road. Justice, their mom, only goes inside the pen now when it's time to feed. As my grandson says, "She is so over them." The pups are incredibly demanding.

 

Anthony kept track of the birth of each dog as it was born and named each one. Though two puppies didn't make it, the rest are thriving. I can't remember this one's name, but maybe it's Scrappy, the little female who is raising hell and being the alpha of the litter.

Anybody know of anybody who might like a pit bull just in time for Christmas?

Some Thoughts on Relationships

I ran across this cartoon months ago and it made me laugh. It describes precisely where I am in my life in regard to a relationship. Ideally, I'd like to be in one, but---no wonder I'm not in one. 

Lovely Synchronicity: Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup

I am in the eleventh day of a sinus infection that has now morphed into a very deep cough. I finally broke down and went to the doctor yesterday and not surprisingly, I am taking what everyone refers to as the Z Pak these days. It has worked well in the past for me with respiratory infections, but I do experience some side effects. Hmmmm. Best I not tell you what they are. I'm going in to work but let's just say fully prepared for any emergency.

My appetite has gone kaput, nothing tastes good, but tonight I went to the cupboard and lo and behold, there was a large can of Campbells chicken noodle soup. I never buy that "unsophisticated" soup anymore, but I must have. I got teary-eyed (which I am on the verge of constantly these days) thinking of my mom. On birthdays and special occasions she let me choose what I wanted to eat. I always chose Campbells chicken noodle soup mooshed up with saltines or Xlnt tamales. So, right now my tummy is full of soup, memories, and I feel very close to mom. I am comforted.

Since Cookie's death, I've been feeling so unlike myself. I'm functioning but it's shades of gray time and I feel like I'm swathed in cotton batten. I get annoyed very easily although I hope I'm not letting it show. It's not depression but I think a lot of things have piled up that makes it feel like it is. I just need some time to myself. The quick fix would be a new pet, but I know that isn't wise right now. I will definitely get a pet at some point but I'm waiting to see how my sister Betty's radiation and chemo for lung cancer goes. She starts treatment simultaneously on Nov. 16. She's my sis in Washington and I want to be able to comfortably take off and stay with her now and then if she needs me. 

So, I lose myself in my art projects or in books. I go to work but I just wind myself up and perform; I haven't the slightest idea what I'm doing. I'm spending very little time on the Internet. To be read, one must return the favor. So, dear ones, I'm here but I'm just hiding out for a while. 

Let's Hear it for Kelly Kilmer's Art Journal Classes

Yesterday, Halloween, I drove to the Urban Craft Center on Main St. in Santa Monica to take Kelly Kilmer's class on making an art journal from scratch. The first class I ever took on using rubber stamps, making cards and collages was from Kelly, way back when. 

This is Kelly working in her own art journal towards the end of our class. I can't get over how happy and in the moment I am when I am making art. 

Kelly teaches often in Southern California, but she travels all over the United States offering classes. This is her class schedule. 

Right after Cookie died and the So Cal windstorm blew in last Tuesday, I've had my usual winter creeping crud--allegeries, sinuses dripping, and that awful cough that not only scares people, it embarrasses the hell out of me. I forewarned everyone I was not sick and loaded up on antihistamines. 

With a lot of help from Kelly, who is infinitely patient, I did indeed make a journal and slopped paint on several pages just to get started. Here is one page I completed. 

I usually put up my Day of the Dead altar at home each year but this year I just didn't have the oomph to do it. So, this journal pages honors my ancestors and friends who have gone before me. 

By the way, Kelly also teaches an online daily journaling class called A Prompt A Day. You'll see the link on her blog listed above. I have two friends taking it--Paula in Denver and Connie in DC. and they are enjoying it very much.  

Grandsons and Halloween

Yesterday was my Halloween immersion. In the morning I went to 5-year-old grandson Fritz's parade at his pre-school. He was a Roman. 

In the early afternoon it was 6-year-old Henry's parade and haunted house at his school, which is also the school I work at. 

My daughter-in-law Laura has photos on her Lake Dawn Blog: Life at the Foot of the Olympics of 14-month-old Arlo and 3-year old Zach as blue dinosaurs. She actually sewed the boys costumes.  

And then something awful this way comes. The little guys grow up and become obnoxious, although I'll admit I trick-or-treated with Anthony, now 21 (blonde wig), many times when he was a boy. I've known these guys as kids--and as football heroes in high school. Now they are in college and working. Ah, for the age of innocence. Those tats are going to be ugly to remove someday, but no one ever listens to me. 

I'm in a blue dinosaur mood tonight myself although I've sure been to some fun parties in the past. Now I'm a stay-at-home grandma, reading and working on art projects. Turn, turn, turn.  

Red Collage 72 is Finished

For those of you who read here regularly, I just completed a six week class at Summer Studios in Lomita in collage/mixed media. A few days ago I posted a collage of Emily Ann, my mom. 

Here is Red Collage 72 actually in a frame and as completed as I'm going to get it. This was a steep learning curve for me where I learned several new techniques and how to use mediums I had never used before. This piece is 8 x 10 and I must admit, I kind of like it! I usually find fault with most things I do, but I think I will actually hang this one somewhere instead of adding it to the pile of finished work. 

 

What is the Sound of One Tree Falling?

We knew that a mighty wind was coming to Southern California, but little did I imagine that after I left work, a tree would fall into my parking space. A co-worker called about 8 p.m. to forewarn me to park somewhere else the next day.  

Remember this philosophical saying? "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" That was my thinking when I visited the tree in person today.

The phone rang early this morning and it was an automated phone call from UPS telling me that a box from a crematory would arrive today and someone has to sign for it. Ah, Cookie is coming home much more quickly than I had expected. The last thing I always did before bed was to take Cookie out for a quick walk to relieve herself. Last night I did not have to keep my regular clothes on for our bedtime ritual and because the weather was a challenge, I'll admit I was glad. After my art class I came home and got into my nightie, my soft winter robe, and put on my fleecy slippers. Cookie did not like rain or wind and I'm assuming the weather is perfect for herding where she exists now. I imagine her running with Blondie, Wilhelmina, Wolfy, Jake, Duchess and Cena, the dogs that have gone before her. 

Mixed Media Collage: "Emily Ann"

For the past six Monday nights I have been taking a mixed media collage class at Summer Studios in Lomita, CA. If you live in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, I can’t recommend classes—and visits—here enough. You can check out their classes and events at the site above. Their fourth Friday Art Jam nights are fabulous although there won’t be another one until January because of holiday conflicts.

As it turned out, I was the only student in Anita Dixon’s Monday night class, but she faithfully met with me and taught me many things I didn’t know. Anita is "an old soul," and I am always drawn to people like her. Her own art work is superb and at least three of her pieces are currently hanging in the gallery. 

I have one piece completed and framed, another two completed (a key case and a collage box which I had made years ago but now knew how to make them better), and five pieces are in various states of completion.

I call this piece, which is 8” x 8”, “Emily Ann.” The photo is my mother when she was about 16. One of my most cherished possessions is a hand-written baby book my mom kept the first year of my life. The writing you see are snippets from the first entry she made. (I photo copied the original.) That is my handwriting of her name. I am probably going to mount this piece on masonite or some kind of board.

I just laid down some more layers on two of the pieces. Ever since Cookie got really ill, I spent time each day working on my class projects. I am choosing not to work on any Cookie art pieces right now, although I have written every day in my journal about her.

As a dog lover, I sure resonate with the studio's name. David Parsons, the owner and Executive Director, named it after his dog Summer. Summer is always there to greet people with a bark. There is also a large exotic bird in a cage who interacts with everyone and a tiny finch who also trills periodically. 

Summer Studios is a very special place to learn and visit.