ellenwieske

2012-01-03T07:10:00.000-08:00

HAPPY 2012...one quick question...

How did it go from:

The last of the garden harvest ...............to a late fall walk with Reg

to Halloween

to Thanksgiving

to Hanuka, Christmas and New Years....

in 5 minutes?

2011-12-19T04:36:00.001-08:00

Here is a little catch up:
It was a smashing good party for Frances
78 family members, a limo and all of her kids
together in one place for the same reason...

To celebrate her 80th B-day. Happy Birthday Mom.

CAF and I flew into Detroit. Carrie picked us up and
we had a great visit with her, stayed at her home:

Partied with Steven and his kids

(who continue to grow up to be nice, fun people)

We had a wonderful time at Thanksgiving at K and JC's house:

Thank you Michael for the sweet B-day gifts and original packaging.
It was almost 70 degrees so we took an ocean walk.

I had an adventure which involved being a visiting artist at Umass Dartmouth.
I gave a presentation to the metals dept. and one on one critiques with the grad students.
It was a pleasure with lots of stimulating conversations.
(Thanks Mis)
I visited Reg and stayed in her sweet home

Also visited with Tom, Ellen, Merita, Claire, Michael, Jae, Kristina and Sophia.
and saw the movie "Hugo" in 3d (really amazing)

2011-11-13T14:44:00.000-08:00

November, fall is almost done here on Deer Isle. Mildest week I can remember for this time of year. We went to the meadow and sat in the thin sunshine watching the water and sky eating cucumbers and humus. It was warm(ish) and so beautiful to see the rocks and clouds and birds. A perfect afternoon.

We said good by to Jenny this week, CAF's mom, and to our dear friend Toni.

I feel sick with sadness and filled with the joy of a perfect Sunday afternoon with CAF. Holding it all at once.

My birthday is Thursday, I'll be 53. Want to know what I want?

To be 53.

Good night my little darlings. Next time we meet, let it be a day like this.

2011-07-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics from the 4th parade.

3rd prize for the school's effort but #1 in my heart!

As always-good job gang, you are truly the best!

2011-07-04T13:41:00.001-07:00

Happy July 4th from the hammock of someone who loves you

2011-05-29T16:27:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, my dad volunteered to design and install a miniature golf course for our Church's Octoberfest.

All summer long he would set out new hole ideas in our yard. He'd push the lid from a spray paint can into the ground, drag out the barrel of putters and balls and invite all the neighborhood kids to try them out.

In honor of that kind of imagination and CAF's Big 60th B-day party (Katy Helman and Jeff, you are the best!!) I invited 8 people to design and build a hole. We laid them out in our yard and the party was yesterday. We had a blast. Thank you to Julie, Gene, Sarah, Katy, Dan, Michael and Stephen for their wonderful entries. Thank you Karen for the putters and balls, and to everyone who helped set up.

A special thanks to all who came and hung out in the fog.

2011-05-21T05:48:00.001-07:00

May 20,
Happy Birthday my beloved,
Hope you had a good time..

2011-05-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

I know you've been wondering why I haven't posted lately.

I know you know we went to the jazzfest in NOLA.

I know you wanted to see a few highlights:

We saw 30 acts over the 4 days (2nd weekend) out of god knows

how many, 10 stages ran from 11:30-7:00 each day (we were there for

the whole time!

Had the time of our live, great food, music, sunshine (hot but not too)

nice people, really organized and well managed event. I would do it again,

although I would say the NOLA jazzfest is

NOT for the meek of heart.

It's hard work and worth every second.

Lucinda Williams Michael Feranti

Crawfish Sack and Cafe Dumonde ice coffee and beignets......

Aaron Nevell and Irma Thomas in the Gospel Tent

Walter "Wolfman" Washington in the Blues Tent

Just to mention a few.

2011-04-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a friendly tip of the day:

If a key falls off your computer key board, like say the "G",

DON'T

I repeat don't crazy glue it back on.

Call a professional or consult a computer doctor immediately Thank you for your attention,

have a ood day

2011-03-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

2 things to mention today. OK 3 things... 1. Where the heck is spring? Oh sure the snow is gone and we've had 1 day of 60 degree weather, the crocus and snow drops are up, tulips starting but come on spring...harder girl-warm up already. March is the cruelest month.

2. What are these things?

We have them all over parts of our yard. The biggest one

measures about 6 feet across, small ones only about 1 foot.

They are solid and all have a hole that goes into the ground.

Does anyone know who digs these? Vole, mole?

3rd thing: My friend Dan has been maple-ing all spring and the

syrup is so delicious, that I had to try it. He showed me some

taps that he made out of drilled dowel.

I made some yesterday and put 4 into

2 of our sugar maples in the back field.

Within an hour we already collected about 1/2 a gallon.

I'm trying to gather 4 gal. to boil down.

I'll let you know how it goes.

2011-03-09T07:11:00.000-08:00

Saw this bunny in our yard today.
I am so glad spring is here!

2011-02-23T05:31:00.001-08:00

These signs went up all over the island the other day.

They put a song in my heart for they tell of the coming of spring.

Unfortunately our car and my back do not feel the same way.

The bright orange rectangles are the first flowers of the season.

Lower back please don't listen nor react to the car's oil pan

and muffler scrap and bounce

off these violent heaves.

Think SPRING

2011-02-12T05:53:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day to all

XOXO

ABA-KISS-ME

This is the Abakiss I made for CAF

2011-01-29T04:54:00.000-08:00

We woke up this morning to yet another full on beautiful white day here in the great down east area. Seems like the most snow ever since we moved here 10 years ago (perhaps I say that every year). I love having 1/2 the canvas unpainted.

Any-hoo0-hooo the black birds were going nuts squawking and screaming all morning.

Then CAF noticed the reason why...

this guy (or gal) was in the tree in front of our house! He spent the whole day there staring or sleeping or thinking... and being annoyed by the crows. It was really cool to watch him.

Thank you Mr. Owl for the visit.

Come again anytime.

2011-01-23T14:51:00.000-08:00

While watching Green Bay and Chicago go at it, I thought I would put up a few images from the storm this week. I think we got 20+ inches of snow. Charles (who runs the dump) said more is coming on Wednesday. Today it was 9 degrees out. We don't mind. We took Betty for a walk to see the igloos built in the school yard during winter-fest this weekend. It felt so good to come into a warm house.

2011-01-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

We watched Wallace and Grommet on my laptop the other night when the power went out. The movie was "the Ware-rabbit". I forgot how cute it was. The next day I was inspired by Lady Tottington to change my look.

Good eh?

2011-01-08T05:32:00.000-08:00

CAF had an inspirational moment for a new years.

She organized the container drawer!

2011 is off to a very good start in our household.

2010-12-30T05:08:00.000-08:00

A few pics from the "big storm" this past week:

Ellen W. and I went snow shoeing out at the campus.

Dow Road on Monday:

CAF at work:

Here are a few projects from the week as well:

snow folks...

CAF had asked me to make something for the cats to scratch on instead of our furniture and rugs.

A great week, it really felt like a holiday time.

2010-12-21T03:38:00.000-08:00

The bad news,

it's the longest night of the year

The good news,

I got up really early anyway to make my day last longer

The bad news,

in the pitch black journey to the coffee maker

I stepped in dog poo

The good news

I had slippers on

the bad news

I tracked it all across the kitchen

Good news

I didn't let it upset me, I just cleaned it up

Bad news,

I hurt my back

Good news

My coffee was delicious and well deserved.

Good morning everyone

HAPPY SOLSTICE

Enjoy the Season

2010-12-19T07:41:00.000-08:00

Before I can tell you what is up today

here are a few updates....November...

Fun in Boston, NY and Portsmouth:

Fun with J-Fay and at CAF's opening

NY with Nancy and Lars

and Thanksgiving in Portsmouth:

2010-10-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween

Great Party Megan and Farrell! Zombie-riffic

2010-10-09T14:16:00.001-07:00

Did someone say Corn Maze?

Yes they did, and so we went.

Here are a few more corn mazes that I thought were interesting:

2010-10-08T03:15:00.000-07:00

October has gone all red and golden. Pumpkins and crisp air tussling leaf . The light on the ocean and in the clouds is something one does not see at any other time of year. Floating glittery diamonds churning under Mount Olympian sky.

2010-09-30T03:39:00.000-07:00

August and Sept have been a full time ball of late summer and joy.

The weather has never been better since we moved to Maine.

Bless the sun. Bless the shine.

My work shop Aug 1-15 @ Haystack was really fun.
Our workshop in the metals studio was called "Material Practices".

We used a new material each day to make jewelry.

Paper day

Textile Day

Wood Day

Plastic Day

The Second week employed metal and what ever

materials students wanted to go back to.

Reg my awesome TA came early for a visit.

We got to go for a ride in John's car.

There were 2 wonderful weddings in August:

congratulations and Blessings to Z and A

Congratulations and Blessings to M and F

Our mini vacation with K and J on Vinalhaven was excellent

There was a terrible fire in the Village this month

thankfully no one got hurt.

And I am sending a special thanks and LOL (lots of love)

to J-fay. The queen of hostessing.

2010-08-31T08:13:00.001-07:00

An additional entry for Aug/ Sept. to catch all the action I don't want to forget. So much to tell you and so little time.

CAF and I went to Quaddy Head and Campabelo Island. It was a beautiful 24 hours.

TT came for a visit and we went to the Blue Hill Fair.

Nancy Helped me teach the high school workshop for 3 days then she stayed over for a few more

And I cleaned the freezer!

2010-07-18T03:34:00.000-07:00

I promised to keep you a little more up to date,
so here are a few pics from the last 2 weeks.

I bought a new boat......for $10.00,
maybe I paid too much, thank you MIT
and Matt's crew who constructed her last week.

J-Fay came for a visit, we conducted a serious vacuum cleaner
suck-off to compare and choose a new product...
the competitors:

The arena:

The...handlers:

The results.... we are keeping the Mele.

Everyone on staff is trying their best to stay cool:

some better than others... come on Twyla, it's Friday...

James, Eleanor and baby Ruben are in town for the weekend:

Oh what a beautiful family.

That's the Sunday morning round up.
Thanks for checking in.
xoxo

2010-07-05T03:48:00.000-07:00

You Know it was a good day when:

1. Poked with a stick
2. Stung by a bee
3. Poisson something rash
4. 3 glasses of Sangria

Come on let's do it again!

2010-07-04T06:37:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July is a rare, special fleeting moment here.

July lasts for about 10 minutes in Maine,

and this one is shaping up to be the most rare type.

It's a summer like the kind in fond childhood endless romantic memories.

Filled with a million early morning song birds before the tidal fog burns off,

hot pavement and grass on indifferent bare feet,

firefly, hammock, stargazing, paper plates,

frozen lime pops, swimming

many activities and action rubbing against so much day light.

It smells amazing out side

sun, ocean air, cut grass, and wild roses.

here are a few images from yesterday:

2010-07-02T03:21:00.000-07:00

Thank you Robert for your help and for getting the Sound of Music stuck in my head.
You are a VanTrap of a man.
What do you think? play a little more with this image??
I will continue to try to photo the other wire drawings tomorrow

2010-06-30T04:10:00.000-07:00

Check out Megan's Mad Mowing!!
Circle QUEEN
xoxoxo to you girl

2010-06-19T06:23:00.000-07:00

I want to apologize to my 4 fans for not putting up an entry for many weeks. I have received your complaints.

That said, soooooooo much to tell you.

Lots of summer time spilling out all over the place.

The warm sun has come early to our sweet island down east and we are enjoying the outdoors immensely!

The boat barn project has been completed (a year in total) and since CAF's b-day (May 20) we have been able to use it every day. We are calling it our retirement home

Before:

During:

After:

thank you Walter, Pete and Mr. Carter
Pete, nice work on our chimney,It looks great and so far no more leaks.

We got dowstudio Gallery open on the 6th of June:
Our season is called:

The gallery is divided into rooms, (I got the idea from Ikea)
One walks into the gallery via the kitchen

and beyond is the pantry

In the second room is the dining room
and the parlor

and in the back is the bed room

A special thanks to Megan, Carrie and Toni for helping with the set up.

We've have had lots of visitors so far this spring/summer:

Jennifer from NY -thank you for helping with the gardens
Michael from Portsmouth-- thank you for helping with the gardens

Sarah from NY, bless you as you ride your bike to Newfoundland (2000+ miles)

Here she is on Tuesday June 8th the day she started...and there she goes....

---Hey Sarah.... thank you for helping with the gardens.

Toni was here from Hull

and Carrie, here from.... everywhere but now to be know as from Detroit (she didn't actually stay here)

I LOVE this picture!

A few other items to note;

Nice job Farrell on the giant Chandler

Looking good on that bike CAF

Losang a Tibetan monk came to the school and made this sand mandala. He worked on it for a week:

I took these pics the other night coming home, what a beautiful sight:

I guess that's all I have to show and tell you. If I think of anything I forgot I will add it later

My love to all

xoxo

2010-04-08T05:37:00.000-07:00

we had turkey thighs for dinner the other night.

CAF hates the bones

I love them.

Best part of the meal

chewing on the bone.

After all

I was born under the sign of

the dog.

Grrrrrr

yes I did floss

2010-04-03T04:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring from inside middle of Passover and Easter

Ebony and Ivory

2010-04-01T03:40:00.000-07:00

Look what we saw this week in the tree across from our kitchen:

NO not this

THIS:

MR. or MS. Eagle was there for about an hour, looking out into the cove.

A very big bird.

2010-03-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

We're in the thick of it now.

Last Saturday it was 70 degrees,

today is very cold with snow and ice.

March is the cruelest month of all.

She whispers of sweet warm lovely things to come,

then blows cold wind through your hat-less hair.

I shake my fish belly white hand

March away.

2010-03-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

1:32 PM :
Happy first moments of
Spring
Now I'm going back outside.
xoxo

Oh one more thing,

while I was posting this, I got my first Skype from Kristina, JC and the kids from Le Monistare dan Moustier (I know that's spelled wrong) in France. How Cool.

Now...back outside.

2010-03-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Oh Mothers

don't let your sons grow up to be cowboys.....

But Please encourage your daughters to!
Good job Mentor gals, you made me proud!

2010-01-30T10:22:00.000-08:00

January was a busy month, lots going on in the deep dark still of winter.

We've seen some snow:

Our barn looks much better now that 3/4s of it is gone. The Wolf moon Jan. 29 is the largest full moon of the year.

We got some home improvement done:

We broke down and replaced our range and sink, finished the hallway (now Jeff''s cabinets look even more beautiful) and the guest bathroom got paneled with my yardstick/ruler collection.

I've had some studio time:

And some relax time:

I love these winter days:

evenings with friends

reading by the fire

puttering around the house

hanging with CAF

moments of doing nothing

like now

Well that catches you up a bit.

love,

2010-01-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-11-16T04:30:00.000-08:00

Home from Boston/Portsmouth. Saw "From Minimal to Bling: Contemporary Studio Jewelry" at Society of Arts and Crafts. Great show it will be up until January 2. Lots of people at the opening. Visited TT's new home and thought it really perfect for her. Took a walk on the beach. Visited Ellen W.'s new home. J-Fay and her world are wonderful as always (bless nu-nee). Good party and visit.

Thanks to all for coming to the opening and to J-Fay's Friday night. It was all so much fun.

Dinner at K+JC's on Saturday was a blast. JC's sister visiting from Normandy (looks just like Kris!) so we all practiced our French (she laughed every time I spoke). Reg and Pris. Mike and J. and of course the youth-adorable V and S (growing so fast).

Sunday morning my face hurt from laughing.
3 weekends and 3 parties:

Halloween Night at B+H's

CAF and I (hunter and trophy wife)

Ugly Sweater Party at M+B's

J-Fay and JC+Kris's

Happy one year anniversary to my dear wife. I pray that Maine and the rest of the country will someday recognize our marriage.

2009-10-31T05:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween

2009-10-27T04:45:00.000-07:00

Many of you know I have been growing out my natural hair color for the first time in 25 or more years. Well after Sarah gave me a hair cut last week, pretty much all the coloring was cut out.

For 6 month I have struggling with the issue of natural hair color.
Maybe that doesn't seem like much of an issue to you, but it surely has been for me.
I started changing my hair color years ago because it was fun, different and easy.
And just kept doing it. I have used almost every color made. When CAF met me I was blond, then black then red.
But I really wanted to see my natural color. I knew there would be some gray, and oh boy there was...
It came out to be this:

I found that every time I passed a mirror or window and saw myself I thought

"Who the heck is that????"

I gave it a try, and found that I didn't feel like myself.

Oprah was right (again) I felt I looked instantly older.

Is that wrong?

Is that bad?

For myself, after only 24 hours we drove to the beauty supply and

picking a new color, #555 :

And just like that, I feel like me again.

We did leave a touch of gray at the temples.

2009-10-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

Our October on the island has had a lot of action. The school saw 9 post session events which meant many people coming and going. We have had lots of company and lots of excellent dinners and get togethers at our house. I feel tired and joyful and well loved. We now get to catch up on our lives a bit. That means I get to catch you up as well:

The hardest, saddest thing that happened is our dear dear TT moved to Hull MA. We will deeply miss her daily sparkle and her big brown poodle.

Michael came for a visit before his workshop:

Ferrell cut down the 2 trees near the house. For what

we hope will be a more light and airy dry dwelling:

During Johnny's visit , CAF he and I went

to the Chicken Barn and Hulls Cove:

Sarah was here for a visit and gave Lindsay,

CAF, Carrie and I hair cuts at midnight

last Thursday. Everyone was happy, very happy!

A big storm came over the weekend and took

most of the leaves. This is always a signal to me to

put the hoses away, carve the pumpkins

and make some soup, or maybe some fruit leather.

Thank you all for such a great time, my face and

stomach still hurt from laughing. Love to you all.

2009-10-09T04:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I made a big mistake. I was getting ready for work, running around doing this and that. Michael was coming for a visit so we were cleaning bathrooms CAF vacuuming.
Doing last minute things, vitamins, brushing teeth, I grabbed mouthwash (Listerine, mint).
Swish swish - I have a tendency to walk around while doing that.
I got involved with something which took longer than I thought. I couldn't get rid of the mouthwash. I realized my mistake as the burning intensifying sting in my mouth grew. My eyes watered as I made a mad dash to a sink. Gosh!! my mouth hurt all day. 4th degree burns??? 5th? maybe 8th, anyway I did not rince today.

2009-10-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

How to have the perfect one day vacation:

1. Get up early... but not so early if feels like you are getting up early.

2. Make sure work knows you are not coming in. Hint: if you are calling in sick, don't blog about your one day vacation for several days.

3. Don't forget your ipod, camera, cell phone, bottled water, snack, warm jacket, hat, dog treats, and your best friend (if the dog is coming, your 2 best friends).

4. Drive until you get there. (No chore related stops)

5. Go everywhere everyone wants, do everything everyone wants and laugh a lot.

6. Stop for micro coffee, tool shopping, popovers, carriage trail walking, antiques snooping, lighthouse/ocean gazing, Thai dinner and ice cream cones.

7. Drive home before you are really, really tired.

8. Unpack the bananas and cat food.

9. Rinse out the Thermos and throw away the apple cores

10. Climb into bed with your 2 best friends.

2009-09-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

September is zooming by, here are a few highlights from the last few weeks:

The lovely Katy Helman's show

at Lesalle College in MA was excellent congrats!

The EeyBird Guys (Fritz and Stephen) visited the school and left us some Diet Coke and Mentos.

The Common Ground Fair in Union ME was very fun:

And having J and D here was just the best. (look it's you Jo-e)

I can feel that the end of summer is here.

The air and light are different, mornings colder and days shorter. The beautiful leaf changing and low sun light on the surface of the water mid day. We pull the blinds when we get home to keep the light in and dark out. I have a strong urge to make soup.

A melancholy time of year for me, the cup is half full and half empty.

2009-09-08T05:51:00.000-07:00

September 9 is my brothers b-day so

HAPPY birthDAY STEVIE- I love you

This month is always very melancholy for me, the sweet summer

standing shoulders against the fall

and we all know what season happens after that...

This September is extra heavy with bittersweet feelings.

First the sweet:

The Blue Hill Fair on Friday:

The one day vacation to Campabello Island in Canada yesterday:

Whale spouting and tiny urchins

BBQ and bonfire, warm sunshine and cocktail parties

Ahhh ya know...... let's just keep it at the sweet.

2009-08-29T04:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had 4 conversations with 4 different people about the hour of 3 AM. Two younger and two older:

1. I didn't see you at the dance party last night....what time did you leave? Oh I must have just missed you I got there at 10:30. I left at 3:00 I'm tired today.

2. I was up at three worried about my boat, Hurricane Dan is coming and I needed to get her buttoned up, I worked till 6:00 then came here. I'm tired.

3. I couldn't sleep again, I was up at 3:00... and did useful things in the basement. I got a lot done but I'm tired.

4. I think I went to bed at 3:00, just got up a little while ago, still.... I'm tired.

AHHHH sweet life I sing of thee.

2009-08-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

A few pics from the past week:

Yesterday was 90 degrees out. An occurrence that will only happen a rare sweet hand full more times this year I'm sure. Savor...

So...we got up early, sat outside with coffee (6:30) and watched the birds at the feeder. Then we walked and swam, I mowed, went for a bike ride, we ate salad with fresh cherry tomatoes under the tree, a nap in the hammock, I fixed a broken fan, went to work for a few hours, came home ate popcorn and ice cream and drank cold white wine (w/TT and CAF).

CAF and I lay in the hammock again under a quilt under the stars watching the last of the Pleiades meteor shower.Well I did anyway while she snoozed, waking up only long enough to say "what was that???" several times, squeeze my hand and then back to sleep. The Annoying buzz of the mosquito's finally was the thing that sent us to bed (11:00).

2009-08-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

Well it's been almost a month since my last post so I thought i should check in. July is a busy month when you live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. We've had lots of guests, Nancy and Larz, Randy and Mary (a first visit from them) and J-Fay and the D.

dowstudio gallery has had 2 open houses, and a visit from the Society of Arts and Crafts Boston crowd. CAF had her thumb fixed so she hasn't been able to use her right hand for the last week but the stitches are coming out today. TT took her to Elsworth.

There has also been a lot of activity at the School. The big summer auction, the board meeting, the Conference and 2 sessions.

I also experienced a lot of personal loss in July.

My Ipod died (old friend of 4 years), our cell phone had an untimely death (Steven's juggling episode), our faithful electric coffee pot stopped working (please) and both of my cameras died, one I dropped and one fell in the ocean (see happy boat ride 4th of July). Oh and my computer crashed.

So here we are several weeks later and I'm trying to put all the pain behind me. Thanks to on- line shopping we have a new coffee pot (first things first), I have a new Ipod (120gig-a tough decision to go with room for lots of music or the slick cool Itouch. I am pleased with my choice -room for 28,ooo songs since I maxed out my 30gig a long time ago). One camera is repaired (seems it was a Sony recall, so fixed at no $. The other I replaced and last weekend I drove to BGR and got a new cell phone (same #). Steven fixed my computer, although I lost some music picture and doc files as well as some $.

That catches you up.

Oh and the sun finally came to Maine after 100 inches of rain (maybe).

2009-07-09T12:44:00.000-07:00

"When my father died, we put him in the ground.

When my father died,

it was like a whole library burned down"
"World without end" by Laurie Anderson

10 Things I learned from my dad:

1. What funny is

2. How to listen (especially to children)

3. How to make things from other things

4. What respect is and how one earns it

5. To make a good sunny side up egg

6. How to be quiet while fishing

7. To be responsible

8. How to play Euchre

9. To laugh whenever possible

10. To love my life

2009-07-06T07:28:00.001-07:00

Summer in Maine, July 4 and 5, 2009.

The first two sunny and warm days in over a month. The perfect weekend.

Freedom for the heart:

Smoking the meat

The Parade

The walk

The Pier (no Picture)

The works

The boat ride.

Bless America, land that we love.

2009-06-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

To tell you the thing I want to tell you, I'm going to have to admit something I probably shouldn't, not in a public forum anyway. I may still want to run for public office some day. Oh the heck with it.
Let's just say I know what it feels like to be in an altered state.
Enough said.
Sunday I had to take my sick computer to the doctor, it was an emergency. CAF and I were about 3 hours away from dowstudio's first open house of our 2009 "Summer of Love" season. For weeks we had been working every morning and night after working our other jobs at the school. Letters to the Artists, contracts, phone calls, emails, mailings, advertising, press releases, checking in shipping, unpacking, inventory, painting, cleaning, setting up, framing, hanging, lights, blah blah blah.
I sat down to type and print the show list and labels and my computer died, just died, like on some terrible after school TV special. I called our computer guy Steve in Blue Hill and he said to bring it over (bless you Steve).
The lemonade was made, cheese cut, grapes washed, and ice ready, so I jumped in the car. An hour to my self, good. Driving over the causeway and bridge a calm started to come over me. It was a perfect day, 70 degrees, blue sky, poppies, lupine, and lilacs still blooming.
A gorgeous day for a drive and I got that feeling in my stomach and chest... something like perfect harmony- hard to describe out of body being the scenery. I was at one with everything just like when one is in an altered state.
"Am I stoned?" I thought. It was that exact feeling. It's been awhile but I have a pretty clear memory of that state of mind. Then it dawned on me I WAS stoned, tripping' on my new favorite drug of choice, exhaustion. I felt like I was melting into the steering wheel and road and ocean. It was the first time I had sat still by myself in...weeks. I was tired!
Well I got to Blue Hill, got home, 3 hour of open house, TT came over and we had martini's, went to the Rib for dinner, laughed our heads off, came home and went to bed, the end.

2009-05-23T07:17:00.001-07:00

I was at the Philadelphia SNAG conference. What a great city. I saw many good lectures, caught up with friends, talked philosophy of the metalsmithing/art field (and life in general), saw lots of gallery shows, an exhibition in motion at the museum had some great food. Even got to have an evening of fun with Karen and Nancy.

The experience put me in a happy/healthy frame of mind. Nothing like hanging with family to remind one of who you are and where you come from.

2009-05-12T07:05:00.001-07:00

video platform video management video solutions free video player

2009-05-12T03:19:00.000-07:00

Last week I helped at the high school where visiting artist Arthur Ganson was working with kids from the art, science and industrial/wood shop departments to set up a chain reaction. Ingrid, Dan, Ben, Bruce, Sarah among others worked alongside the kids, teachers and Aurthur to create an amazing event that was set off on Friday at 1:00:

2009-05-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

Check it out:
Same-sex marriage became legal in the State of Maine on Wednesday as Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill less than an hour after the state legislature approved it.
Glory be to this great country. Good on you all that helped make this happen. My wife and I deeply appreciate it, from the bottom and top of our hearts BLESS YOU!

And Toni, your Baily Tree is beautiful today!

2009-05-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend with Kristina teaching a class on metalworking for glass bead makers in Rockport ME. It was a great time. Thank you to Virgina and Ed for being such wonderful hosts. I think we all enjoyed the weekend.

And today:
At 1:47 p.m. this afternoon the Maine House of Representatives
enacted a bill allowing gay marriages in Maine by a vote of 89-57.
The bill, LD 1020, was sent back to the Senate to give it final
approval on Wednesday.
It will then be sent to Gov. John Baldacci for his signature (hopefully)

2009-05-01T12:35:00.001-07:00

A little Island humor:

2009-04-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

3 big items to mention:

1. The first lawn mow of the season (good job CAF your rows are straight and even)

2. The daffadols simply must be noted!

3. The Maine Senate this morning passed a bill that would allow same-sex marriage in Maine.
The Senate voted 20-15 in favor of the measure in the initial voting. This morning’s vote means the bill has cleared its first hurdle in the Legislature. It still needs to pass through the House of the Representatives. It will then need the signature of Gov. John Baldacci.

Bonus item:

4. It's a sunny day

2009-04-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day

Dear Earth,

Like I say to my wife, my body, my family and work from time to time:

forgive me for treating you poorly, I will do better, I want to do better.

Let me begin now

2009-04-20T04:18:00.000-07:00

Last week while in Detroit I got to see these guys:

And I met her (Mattalyn)

While at home:
this is growing

I was home for 3 days then off to a meeting in Richmond VA.

Got back yesterday. I had time to look around a bit. walked to

Holiday Cemetery, saw the graves of pres- James Monroe (below left) and John Tyler, VCU, the Fan district (Monument Ave).

Had dinner at Sonya and Darryl's FAB home/studio (thank you for a lovely evening)

Jack's studio (NICE and oh the cheese). Ate dinner at the bar of a swell restaurant with 8 great women, 80 degrees and flowering trees, it was a good weekend. We even went swimming.

Plus, the meeting went splendidly.

2009-04-10T06:25:00.001-07:00

Going to Detroit tomorrow morning.

Be back late Monday night.

Dear Uncle D.,

We will miss you and your shenanigans.

Tell Joe I said hi.

2009-04-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

Took a mental health day yesterday,

TT and I went to the big city of Bangor.

I got 2 new bras, a shower curtain and printer ink.

TT bought some storage boxes and bubble wrap, Big day.

We went to lunch and then to "School House Antiques"

just to poke around for awhile.

It might not sound like much of a day,

but to me it was as precious as any vacation day taken

anywhere on earth. Thanks TT.

2009-04-04T04:35:00.000-07:00

While at work on Wednesday, look what was outside my window.......... wow Woodie!
Do you like alliteration too?
And to finish up on the issue of the ski slope residing on our back deck since December, the last picture was taken about 2 minutes ago.

Spring... Bring it on

2009-03-31T03:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning I made my first loaf of bread ever!

I feel like a god.

The power of mixing such humble ingredients together

flour, water, salt

and ending up with one of my favorite things

is beyond exciting...
It's a miracle

2009-03-28T03:32:00.000-07:00

This is me yesterday (Friday). It was a tough week. I find the seasonal change to spring a difficult one. Going from hibernation to more light and more activity makes me....well like this:

2009-03-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

Excellent weekend. See details:

Saturday: "ISLAND COUTURE" The year and a half brain child of Katy.

printed fabric designed by Katy H. and distributed to those who

wanted to make something from it. Great work, great party.

Then on Sunday, a walk and a picnic in the warming spring sun.

The sky was beautiful.

2009-03-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

This just plain old cracked me up.
I didn't know anyone still made/sold or played with paper dolls, how very 19...00? 1950?
I thought paper was politically incorrect, post-consumer recycle wrong in a non-green kind of way. Still..
Tempting isn't it?

2009-03-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here it is almost 2010. I don't know anyone with a robot. Gene and Julie have one that is a vacuum cleaner but I don't count that, it has no face or arms or anything. I really thought we would all have robots by now.

2009-03-16T04:18:00.000-07:00

Taught a workshop to 4 teenagers for the last 2 weekends. Last Sat/Sun and this past Sat/Sun from 9:00-3:00 (more like 5:00). Everyone did a great job and worked really hard. They were a a lot of fun. All were from the Deer Isle/Stonington High School. They each made some amazing jewelry: Erika, Heidi, Goldie, and Dylan

2009-03-11T04:36:00.000-07:00

CAF and I went for a walk yesterday. Suddenly there is more light and warmer air. It feels great to get out in the late afternoon. We went to the end of the road and then down to the water. I have never seen such a low tide. It was beautiful. We saw sand dollars alive and doing what they do, never saw that before.

Saw some traces of green too.

However here on the back proch...

2009-03-10T04:19:00.000-07:00

As of last week, I am officially sick of the snow!!! As far as I can tell the snow has taken over the earth (At least here in Maine) I think the snow has turned into some sort of monster that has in fact eaten this part of the planet or maybe the whole world. Under the snow, I'm positive there is more snow, under that, more snow. Seriously, we haven't seen the ground, any of the ground since November. I believe that there is no longer any ground, no dirt, no grass, no hints of spring, no earth, nothing, only snow. SIGH

That was last week, since then we have had 4 days of warming sun. A LOT of snow has melted. I went next door yesterday to the DIAA building and when I was hitching Betty's leash to a pipe so I go inside this is what I saw up next to the building......

Hope looms near, (or blooms near) YEAH!

2009-03-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

The one year anniversary of this blog is approaching mid-March. Wow time has flown. Probably 10 people have seen and or followed along and to those 10 people, thank you for visiting my world. Now you know a little of what life is like inside my head, not a bad place to be really, bit of a fixer-upper but it's home to me.

2009-02-28T13:30:00.000-08:00

Oh maybe you want to take a look at this too.

www.youtube.com/TgiD-h25Ug4
"It must be love"

2009-02-28T07:38:00.001-08:00

March 1 tomorrow. The winter is flying by, except for the cold and the snow and the ice.

We are all quite tired of it. This past week we spent 3 days without power. CAF and I both had bad colds so the adventure of no water, no heat, no lights was lost on us. Thankfully no pipes froze, not at the house, the studio or the trailer, so we feel blessed. Our big Valentine-wedding party was 2 weeks ago. thought you might like to see a few images. We had a great time. 10 friends who traveled to be here spent the night. Sunday morning Richard and I were up at 7:30. By 8:30 we decided to start cooking bacon. Richard said "That will get them all up", and sure enough it did. We made pancakes for 16 from 9:30-11:30. The Bacon cupcakes were a special highlight (sorry Katy). Really it was a 3 day party Friday-Sunday. I still feel the love of all who came to dance and laugh. Thank you we enjoyed every second.

2009-02-09T09:34:00.000-08:00

5 days until our party. It is a wedding reception and Valentines celebration. CAF and I have spent weeks getting ready for it. We are both quite excited and have the cutest party dresses. I will post a few pics of the studio later, it looks awesome!

2009-01-15T06:30:00.000-08:00

Let me be perfectly honest. My back is messed up, again! I admit it. Spasm messed up. Is it from skating, is it from standing all day on my cement studio floor, is it from relaxing on Abs exercises? I don’t know.
It’s been a long time, but the pattern is the same old one…like a cross of pain that usually takes 4 days: mid-spine, lower-spine, the left then right side of the lower spine. Each time it seems I can expect this sequence of pattern. This time the really bad spasms only lasted ½ day. I am eternally thankful for that.

Yesterday I woke up thinking about years ago the small church near my mom’s house. They had hanging a big painting of the Blessed Virgin. One day the frame glass that contained it fogged up. The fog formed an image looking like “the face of Jesus”. Soon people were coming from all over to see the miracle of the painting which they had propped up on a chair in the middle of the altar for all to view. My friend and I went to see it. Yes the condensation on the inside of the glass did look like a face. The priest told us that someone was coming from the Vatican to determine if it was indeed a miracle. I never heard what happened.

Is the cross of pain in my back a miracle? Some little voice in my head called it “Divine Pain”, not a bad description really.
Divine: 1. (adj.) “having Godlike nature”, 2. (verb) “to come to understand or realize something by intuition, inspiration or other apparently supernatural means.”

I don’t know if this idea brings me solace or despair. I don’t know if there are any answers or reasons in such a thought. It did however crack me up all day and make me feel holy about the back pain. Gentle vigilance and kindness are the key actions towards the repair work. Today I am happy to report the “miracle” is fading.

2009-01-04T07:33:00.000-08:00

Welcome 2009 Let it issue...Happiness and Health... Body- Mind-Spirit-Home-Community-World

2008-12-25T09:49:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND HAPPY CHANUKKAH

Toni we went for a walk this morning, and the ocean had this message for you......

2008-12-22T08:29:00.000-08:00

One of my absolute favorite things is on a cold, stormy, snowy, blowy night when the weather is raging and howling outside,
is to take notice of how warm and cozy I am wrapped in the comfort of my own home. Almost nothing gives me a greater sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

And this is Monday Morning...2 feet of snow!

2008-12-19T17:38:00.000-08:00

We got home on Tuesday and

started dragging in all our bundles.

We walked into the parlor and saw this....

The wedding Love continues

Thank you Katy, Ingrid, Megan, Carrie and Hank

All the cans tied to the back of the Subaru and the

"JUST MARRIED" sign in the back window was a nice touch.

Your love is lovely.

2008-12-18T10:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays

DETROIT STYLE

2008-12-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

Got home last night. 4700 miles, 24 states and Canada, visited so many friends, saw at least a dozen museum shows and 2 movies. Our last 2 nights were spent in Portsmouth, Monday night with Reg, Jay, Michael, and Kristina, and Sunday with Kristina, JC, Sophia, Valaree and Michael who came to dinner. JC started our evening with the amazing pear sparkling wine which he gets when he goes home to Normandy, and Kris baked a .....Petite Vi ea??-a beautiful almond thing with a bead hidden inside, whoever gets it in their piece is king for the next day, no one broke a tooth. We had many different types of wine for each dinner course. The next morning my head did not hurt one bit, but my face did.......... from laughing.

We left for home Tuesday morning after visiting Bo and Beryle (Mike's folks), and JC (for coffee). A very relaxing drive up, got home around 6:00 and hung with Carrie and Hank for a bit. Thank you Carrie for taking such good care of our compound and Cats.

Thank you to everyone we visited for an experience that lights my heart and makes me smile. I expect this feeling to warm us for a long time. We feel truly blessed with such good friends everywhere. Our gratitude and love to all.

2008-12-13T18:40:00.001-08:00

A few more images .....

The Big Boy is for you Jo-e

2008-12-13T15:15:00.000-08:00

Back on the east coast. 3 stops here and then head for home. Thought you might like to see a couple of the sights captured along the way...

2008-12-05T15:21:00.000-08:00

Here we are in Detroit sitting at my Mom's kitchen table.

(Picture taken about 2 minutes ago).

We have been gone 4 weeks now. Visited a lot of people (37)

driven 3,600 miles through 22 states.

In a few days we will start for home. We had a little car trouble,

but nothing terrible and get the car back from the dealership

tomorrow. Hanging with the family for the next few days.

My brother Steven will be here in 10 minutes to take us to his

buddy's bar. It's a fireman's hangout called..."The Firehouse".

My cousin Beth Ann will meet us there. Mom did not want to go.

Bed time for her I guess.

2008-11-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

Time has finally started to expand the way I'd hoped it would. At least my relationship or awareness of it has begun ease into a more expansive environment. We've been gone for 23 days. My mind has stopped racing to the "next thing" that needs to be done. I woke up today with a sense of calm that feels real. The 8 day headache seems gone as well. Last night J and D invited some people over for dinner that they wanted us to meet. I really enjoyed the conversations. Even the ones that didn't revolve around me. My brain is playing the footage of Dr. King's "free at last, free at last......" .

Let the deep relaxation begin as if your life depended on it.

2008-11-28T07:50:00.000-08:00

We are in Minneapolis Minnesota where we celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday. We arrived Tuesday afternoon to the home of our dear friends DW, JR and the new puppy Dune. We are going to stay here for a few days.

So far we have traveled 2,760 miles, visited with 29 friends, driven through 20 states and have been gone 3 weeks.

Let the good times roll.....on.

2008-11-27T11:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you.

2008-11-19T11:55:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, November 19. From the afternoon tea table of Gay Smith where she and CAF are deep in conversation about...I don't know what-life's rich pageant.

We have been gone almost 2 weeks, That's 13 states, 10 visits, 7 beds and almost 1700 miles. We are here in NC for a few more days, giving my back a rest (doing pretty well) and visiting many people in this area.

Suze and Kent have been great hosts and we have been laughing so much my temples still hurt. Yesterday was my 50th birthday. Had a pleasant day, very cold here in the mountains, Gay, Paulus, CAF, Suze and I enjoyed BBQ ribs and coleslaw that Chester made. He is a master craftsman on the Weber.
Good times and no so far I don't feel any different.

2008-11-14T08:06:00.000-08:00

Portsmouth NH, Somerville MA, Dartmouth/Fall River MA, Baltimore MD, all is well. Having a good time looking at our friends, their homes, their studios and their art work. Catching up with our selves. Relaxing--- not so easy. CAF does not remember how. But we are on our way to giving it a trying. Love to all. Bless the cell phone and computer.

2008-11-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

November 10, 3:30 pm CAF and I got married after a 16 year engagement. Thank you to all of our dear friends for the warm wishes.

2008-11-04T04:14:00.000-08:00

7:15am. We've waited a long time for this day.

CAF and I want to vote at 8:00am. It's going to be a good day I can feel it.

2008-11-01T04:59:00.000-07:00

The end of October. Two things happened yesterday.

First the good news: I finished up at the school and have a little time off. CAF are going to take trip and visit a few people and places we've always wanted to. The second....

I received this in the mail. My birthday is this month.

OUCH!

2008-10-26T14:42:00.000-07:00

My last day out at school was this past Friday. It was a brutally cold week. Carrie and I froze in what we called "Craft Hell" (freezing cold studios filled with equipment to be counted, cleaned, sorted and then closed up). I am happy to be done out there, I will miss that view.

Very Windy last night into this morning. Very. This was the storm that seals the fate of most of the beautiful leaves. Now there are more bare trees than not. We knew it was coming. The mild temperatures this weekend were gentle in ushering the season along.

Hunting season starts this week.

2008-10-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

CAF and I took a one day vacation yesterday, by going to Bar Harbor. We wanted to take advantage of what was rumored to be the last peak warm day of autumn color before the cold wind takes everything from the trees.

It was really crowed everywhere, 2 giant ocean liners off shore, buses, trolleys, taxis, carriages, giant SUV's from many states, bikes, motorcycles, folks on foot, sightseeing helicopters and planes, and more cameras than I've ever seen on one day, mine included.

We had a ball. Picnic, "hiking", popovers at the Jordan Pond House, Thunder Hole, Otter Point, Carriage path. We walked on Sand Beach with Betty, even took our shoes and socks off. Ask CAF about the water her pants took on.

Putting my socks on it occurred to me that they say when you get older you get shorter. Why then do my feet seem to be getting further away?
More "Yoga" CAF said.

We came home for dinner, I made soup.

OK so now we are ready

bring on the frost.

2008-10-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday CAF and I drove down the coast to deliver my work to a show in Rockland and return art to Spindle works in Brunswick. It was a perfect blue sky, white puffy cloud sunny warm early October day in New England. Autumn leaves falling all around. So many things dying in bright beauty. Everywhere the milkweeds exploding like silent fireworks to let out their seeds.

We talked about how so many species simply live the business of life. Their purpose is to make more of themselves and perform this as a dying act. Give birth, let out the seeds and then whither to death.

That idea made me want to squeeze tight the pure pleasure of pure pleasure.

Remember to notice the things that just tickle you and realize the value of a relaxed moment, or afternoon.

2008-10-07T04:16:00.000-07:00

Last weekend J and D were here from Minnesota. We had a great visit. D and I went on a four day retreat at the school. I had the rare opportunity of hanging out with Professor Bobby Hannson for a day and received instructions on how to take my old guitar (cats knocked over and broke) apart and remake it into this tin ukulele.
Thanks to TT for the cool antique English tin.

The sound of it is really good (if played by someone other than me).

It was a great week, I had an episode with my back right in the middle of it all but it's better now and I promise not to carry containers full of bricks anymore.

I will show you the other piece I made as soon as it is finished.

2008-09-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Being positive is easy when you are positive,
when you feel positive,
when all is all going your way.
The tough part is in the murky, musty, melancholy, messy mad mud.

To get angry, lowered by someones negativity can cut way down your flight time. I want to take full advantage of the still warm currents of the first day of Autumn. The angle of the sun sparkling on the water is beautiful this time of year and the best vantage point is from above the trees.
If you just spread your wings, the wind does most of the work for you.