CUP TWO TIMES
I brought this unfinished painting to my art group (critique group) the other night. It was well received with a few comments I thought were pretty accurate. I decided to check a few details by propping the painting up right in back of the set-up, and was struck by how interesting it looked. To me anyway!

I had to dump the actual tea after a bit as it had gone all moldy and unappealing, but as I'd finished painting it I did not refill the cup. Anyone who knows my painting will recognize this cup as I paint it time and time again. For whatever reason it is a shape and color that suits me to a t(ea).

FIRE POWER
A few weeks ago the farm we have seasonal shares in, hosted its annual autumn feast and bonfire. I always wonder why they don't have musicians or jugglers or some other entertainment...until they light the bonfire. Before whose primeval power we are all transfixed and amazed. Every time.

Break out from inside,
and your power is strong. Break in from outside,
and your power is weak.
-Zen Saying

SQUARE HOLES
After decades of sampling many different types of sketchbook I have recently decided that this is my favorite kind. The paper is just right, not too smooth nor too rough, and has the exact degree of absorbancy I prefer: it stands up to pencil, and Sharpie ink sinks into it very very slightly, not too much. I like that it is a spiral type sketchbook because it can be opened up and laid flat or folded back. (plus those square cut holes are visually delightful!) But unlike most spirals it has a closing device, an elastic strap, to keep it bound and stable when not in use. It comes in several different sizes all of which I like. This is the smallest, 6 by 4 inches, and I keep it in my purse for sketching emergencies: you never know when you'll be gripped by the urge to draw! The big problem is that I use these books up so quickly and I cannot bear to ever throw a sketchbook away. My justification is that I might want to refer to them later (but I almost never do.) Essentially they are like "scales" for a musician I suppose. Except much less ephemeral: they are piling up!

THE SPIRIT OF DELIGHT
comes in small ways wrote Robert Louis Stevenson. Like having your grandmother read you a book. (Yet) another photograph from our recent Thanksgiving celebration.

PIE SENSE

scent of pies baking:
bold spice tickling nose and throat
teasing the tongue

BABY BOY
My youngest nephew takes a break from the intense socializing of a family gathering, in his father's arms. Littlest H is not at all shy...just giving himself a momentary time out. I feel this way at parties sometimes myself! Guess that speaks volume about my emotional immaturity.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
A collage of today's holiday ephemera.

MOMENTARY LIGHT
The autumn sun crept in the window at a new angle and hit this vase of past-their-prime nasturtiums. For a few breathtaking minutes they took on an otherworldly brilliance and clarity beyond anything I have ever seen. Every vein in leaf and blossom stood out in sharp relief, filled with glowing light. A short time later the beam of light moved on, and they were again their mundane form, a simple glass vase of slightly decayed garden flowers. I was glad I happened to be walking by at the right moment.

And this reminds me that I had better dump this bouquet on the compost pile: relatives coming tomorrow for Thanksgiving and unless they come at the exact right time they are going to wonder about my penchant for decorating with semi-dead flowers!

WHOOPS!
Youngest son H was giving me a fabulous demonstration of ninja-esque stick twirling and throwing. Of course as soon as I got out my camera he dropped it. Made a good candid shot though.

When my children run up and tell me they want to show me something, I (usually) drop what I am doing and go see. I understand how dear and fleeting these moments are, maybe because of having one child with autism. If ONLY Henry would run up and tell me he wants to show me something! Probably not ever going to happen because a) he can't talk and b) he has no great interest in pleasing me or showing off his prowess. These are issues which make it hard to get him to learn new things if you think about the reasons you learned things as a child. "Look Mom!" was a powerful incentive.

DUSTY MADONNA
Visited my friend Carol's new loft today. A gorgeous space, previously used by a painter, and I was filled with a wave of studio envy. Good thing I love Carol and don't begrudge her this excellent find. She is slowly moving in and making it her own with her bits and pieces. This tiny, dusty madonna and child sculpture is awaiting a clean-up and placement. It wasn't until I looked at the wee faces in photo shop that I realized they have dark skin, eyes and hair, very unusual for a central european style sculpture. And that color combination of aqua and cocoa brown is so hot these days! Despite being dusty she is a very up-to-the-minute madonna.

Note: This photo was chosen as a "Favorite" from the Macroday challenge: Religion.