Fall Foliage!

This has been such a lovely Autumn!
We've actually had two really wonderful color events! A rare phenomenon brought on by the droughts and then the rains from Hurricane Rita.

My dear friend called me yesterday to tell me that the colors were in abundance again- at first, I really couldn't believe it! But, she was right! The mountains in Hot Springs were really putting on a show. So- I got two drives over the mountain this weekend and both times I was in total awe of the majesty of the foliage. It reminded me of Isaiah 40:8 "the grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever." The really beautiful thing about this spectacle was that even though these leaves are dying and fading; they have what is called dying grace! And, it is a lovely and poignant event! It reminded me of some women I know that have been very pretty in their youth- and in their mature years they GLOW! What a wonderful kindness God grants us; that we can observe and appreciate the beauty of His creations in all seasons.

The same DF emailed me these pics tonight from the courtyard of the hospital where she works. The rain was just beginning as she snapped these and I thought they were worth sharing- enjoy the fading beauty that is both stunning and fleeting.

S

Colossus- the Train Tag Artist

okay-- so, I'm surfing around and somehow or another stumble onto this blogger and he turns out to be really, REALLY interesting and from Gurdon (of all places!). The thing that I became so engrossed over was that HE apparently IS the railroad artist responsible for so much of the graffiti art on the sides of the railcars that I've always admired.

So... I did some research on the subject. It is commonly called "Train Tags"; and it is the subject of a recent documentary that is being filmed and made about the history and the artists. I was stunned at what I found!! The tag-artists are oftentimes mixed up with other urban graffiti artists or thought to be hobos; but, are typically railroad workers (no surprise there!).. but- get this-- since it's an illegal activity they always keep a low-profile and the railroad companies turn a blind eye!

This particular man's (Russell Butler from Gurdon) signature is "Colossus" and his blog indicates that he considers himself to be an "Outsider Artist" and does artistamps (postage). Have you ever seen this image on the side of a rail-car?? It's his! I was just so fascinated and thrilled to find that he's from Clark County!! Next time you end up having to sit at the railroad crossing- I'll bet you'll have your eyes wide open looking for this!!

Here is his blog which reads rather cryptically (apparently is his style) in that he oftentimes wrote rather prosaic little verses with his "doodlings" and offers his very dry humor.
http://exilesonmainst.blogspot.com/

Here is a sample of some of his artistamps for ATC's (?- I'm assuming here!)
http://res.npcc.edu/bbutler/buz.htm

Here is a neat article describing other tag artists and the subject:
http://www.northbankfred.com/tag.html

This is the documentarian's site - they made a bicycle trip from Nevada to Arkansas to study the trains, the markings and finally to meet "Colossus"
http://www.roadtocolossus.com/

This is one of the artist-documentarian's personal blog with an eye-opening article (and fascinating linkes) on some of LA's graffiti art that is to be destroyed by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
http://overunder.blogspot.com/2005/11/museum-to-destroy-work-by-margaret.html

Ramblings...

One of the songs I've recently downloaded is Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying". That song just makes me want to go out and LIVE! Not necessarily sky-diving.. but, you get the drift! But, it also makes me reflect on somebody near and dear to my heart.

I don't know what to get Son this year for Christmas.

I'd like to give him a "life". A really fantastic one that would completely captivate him and allow all of his wonderful characteristics to thrive and grow. But-- that's not a gift a parent can bestow on a child except by backing off and allowing them to forge their own way. That gift comes from life experience and personal maturity.

He thinks he's already got that life... doing pretty much as he pleases, with a few responsibilities and inside the cyber world.

There's just so much more out there! If I could give it, I would give him experiences. Eye-opening experiences. Vistas and views of truly magnificient scenery; exotic tastes of food and the smells of fresh fruits growing; of knowing what it's like to scale a mountain and back down it cuz it's really steep; I'd like to give him the experience of enjoying every step of the journey because THAT'S as important (if not more so) as the destination. I didn't realize these things (and still haven't many of them) until I was mature enough to actually appreciate the process of life rather than "The Events".

Maybe I should pray more for his maturity. and, my own - so that I don't miss out on any more of the journeys. The plodding along steps are the journey- are the adventure ... and enjoy each and every one because that's just the way it is. There are frangrances along the way-- smokey smells. And, perhaps not music all the day- but, there is rythym. And, there is a harmony even amongst the disharmonys of life. Maybe life is more like a piece of music than we realize.

Live Like You Were Dying
sung by Tim McGraw
written by Craig Wiseman and Tim Nichols

He said I was in my early forties
with a lot of life before me
when a moment came that stopped me on a dime
and I spent most of the next days
looking at the x-rays
Talking bout the options
and talking bout sweet time
I asked him when it sank in
that this might really be the real end
how's it hit you when you get that kinda news
man what'd you do

and he said
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.

He said I was finally the husband
that most the time I wasn't
and I became a friend a friend would like to have
and all the sudden going fishin
wasn't such an imposition
and I went three times that year I lost my dad
well I finally read the good book
and I took a good long hard look
at what I'd do if I could do it all again

and then
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.

Like tomorrow was a gift and you got eternity to think about
what'd you do with it what did you do with it
what did I do with it
what would I do with it?

Sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I watched an eagle as it was flying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying

Black Friday Shopping

I do NOT do Black Friday shopping! A couple of years ago- a young lady I know that works at our local Wallys was actually bit by an overeager customer trying to wrestle several dozen customers from a bicycle! That pretty much sealed the deal for me! Not gonna happen! I couldn't care less!

This morning-- I'm in my sleepy little dreamworld when the phone rings before 9 AM and it's my very best friend in the world, Kim (and her sister),- on her way from Wally's, Target and now headed to Michael's where they have big sales, too... and did I want anything?? Well! Just say m-m-m-m-Michael's to me and I immediately start to salivate! Of COURSE I want something! I want it ALL-'specially if it's on sale!! With her on her phone and me at the computer checking all the Sizzix dies for her to paw through and look for-- we scored a couple of "finds" (when did they expand their selection? forever they'd had the same ole' same ole'!) and she grabbed a side-kick (we share the Sizzix machine & dies and they stay at my house... guess that's fixing to change!)....

Prior to that store they scored a couple of iPods (now WHY didn't they call me when they got THOSE???) and all the accessories! I'm just droooooling over wanting an iPod-- maybe someBODY will get the message and slip it into my stocking.... specially since he was looking over my shoulder calling out songs I needed to download from iTunes last night! Yes, yes! I know-- we've got it all backwards! I've downloaded (and input a sizable amount of our CD collection) into the iTunes and don't EVEN have the means to play it except for the computer! Just call me prepared!!

She just called me back with an update! Not only did that sidekick ring up at $29.99- she got it with an additional 25% off!! Woohooo!! Santa is kicking bargain-butts this year! Yup! That's what's going in her stocking! What do you bet she uses it before Christmas??? And, get this! They are headed BACK to the electronics store to pick up more gee-gaws (accessories) for the iPods! Arghh.... now I wish I'd sent my Visa card along with her!

Rant, rant, rant! Grouse, grouse, grouse!!

I'm so peeved. It's really frustrating to have gotten so dependent on emails- and then to have the server just seem to implode. SBC-dsl customers use Yahoo mail servers (or maybe it's the other way around??) I dunno- but, they have been so erratic lately. Spastic is more like it! And, it's infuriating!

Last night-- I got an email over a month old! Literally! At first- I thought the girl that had sent it had just failed to correct the date. But- because I"m such a techno-geek (and nosey, too!) I checked all the headers and the source code! Sure enough-- it HAD been mailed last month! GEEZ. Where HAS that thing been all this time? In whose server has it been sitting patiently waiting?? And, how come I can get SPAM and it's current and flooding my mailbox; but, the legitimate mail is as slow as snail-mail and now- since this last week- I can't even get my mail sent from my account because the server is having issues.

SHOOT!! I need to send that mail! Granted- it's not dire or critical. But- it does save me a phone call (or three) since it's to both my sisters and sister-in-law-to-be about plans we're trying to make for a weekend Sister's Getaway. I mean-- it's just trivial nonessential stuff-- but, STILL! I'll have to call to make sure that we are completely co-ordinated! Oh... and one of the emails is just to verify that I'd sent my money for a little stamp-purchase... but, still! That reflects on me as a customer if the seller doesn't understand that I'm being prompt and all. It's all about the feedback! And, I want GOOD feedback!!

Oh, well. If you're not getting email from me-- you now know why. And, I may or may not be receiving yours either.. so call me if you want me to really and truly KNOW something! And, don't leave it on the message machine either-- cuz, there's no telling WHO might just erase those things without checking to make sure I've listened either! Even, Sam the Cat sometimes pushes those buttons... Probably the "male" thing in him... just to aggravate me more!! :-)

Have a perfectly wonderful Thursday! It's quite brisk out there (temp wise) and I've got lots of happy events to get ready for today and tomorrow! Mae is presenting a book review on "Gertrude Bell" at the Library Club this afternoon and "HMS Pinafore" this evening... then- tomorrow-- Big D!

Woohoo!

Ferncliff!

This was the view from our crop (conference) room this past weekend at Ferncliff.

It's a beautiful place, so serene and the foliage was a little past the "prime"- but, still good nonetheless.

There were 32 of us "scrap-hens" in attendance and many of us were new to the crop. We giggled, scarfed delicious snacks, giggled some more, stayed up late and giggled even more! Loads of friends and loads of fun!

The only bad thing to happen was our friend, Meredith. Meredy (as we fondly call her) attended Friday, but had to leave Saturday morning because she had a family wedding in Oklahoma. While driving to Oklahoma, she fell asleep at the wheel and drove off the road, into a ditch, flipping a couple of times. She says while she was airborne, she began praying. Luckily, there were witnesses to the crash (surprising as she was in a fairly remote part of Arkansas) and they rushed to help her. An ambulance took her to DeQueen Regional Hospital which was closer to the family awaiting her.

It was quite a rollercoaster Saturday while we tried to find out how she was doing and keep our minds occupied while we waited. Jodi called Meredy's cell phone and someone at the hospital answered it and was able to give us enough information to keep us from worrying too much. Later, Janet called the hospital and talked to Meredy on the phone. She was in good spirits which soothed our nerves. As of last night- word was that she would be released today pending review of her x-rays.

Admissions... and New Beginnings

Even when I was in junior high-- I hated the course of Health & Safety. Health and Science. Health and Anything. I abhor the obsessive talking of diet and the study of health. The time has come and now- I'm going to have to LIVE it. Eat, drink, breathe and LIVE healthy and a diet.

Last night I went to the Sign-up Seminar for the UAMS Weight-Loss Program. I had two really good escorts. My daddy and our family friend, Sandy. Sandy has been on the program since June and has successfully lost over fifty pounds. Yeah for Sandy!! Both are "in my boat" and both are supportive. Thanks- guys!

officially I begin the program in January.The more basic process of self-evaluation and introspective reflections begins now. I do look forward to being healthier. I really look forward to feeling better. I don't look forward to meal replacements. I hear they taste pretty mundane. Even the chocolate one. I don't look forward to admitting the truth leading up to my pathetic situation.

A Lie.. and the Truth....

For some time now... there has been elephant in my house- and I can no longer ignore or avoid acknowledging it. It used to be a silent creature that was just "danced" around... now, it is a real elephant and taking up too much floor space. It's not like the other critters in our house that are cute, cuddly and considered pets- oh no! It's ugly and pathetic and needy. Admitting it is both painful and a relief. It has a name, OBESITY. And.. it has a number. 296. YIKES! Did I just admit that, too?? Oh, geez. That's like the most heavily guarded secret in the Queen's court. I almost feel like I'm betraying myself by writhing this.

Two bad habits (more dirty little secrets) I'm having to give up are convenience foods and binging. That's the lie I've been living recently. Lies in the sense that what I'm doing (and eating) isn't going to "hurt" me. It has... and before I swallow (literally and figuratively) any more of it- I'm going to face it.

I am going to deal with it, though. And, I am going to choke down the awful truth- as bitter as it may be... it can't be any worse than the meal replacement stuff. The "stuff" is some powdered concoction of 800 calories of 125% of the RDA and can be made into liquid shakes, baked into chips, grilled (as in pancakes) and more. Oh, joy! *said sarcastically* Now, I get to go to cooking class.... grrr..... more of my favorite past-times... NOT!

What a vicious cycle...

pain = not being consistent
not cooking real food consistently = convenience foods
convenience foods = unsatisfied well-being
unsatisfied well-being = binging on more convenience foods
convenience foods & more binging= more pain

What a paradox. And, it's not really as simple as all those equations either. But- it's about as basic and concise as I'm able to grapple with today.

And, so-- I start fresh. Now. Today. In the present time. Like the lyrics from the Tracy Chapman song "New Beginnings".... Starting all over. Start breaking the cycle. Start breaking the chain. Starting all over. Make new symbols. Make new signs. Make a new language. Easier to redefine the world by starting all over.

And, calling my elephant "Obesity" is a great beginning.

Prayers requested. I'm a pretty weak and pathetic soul when it comes to facing myself and my elephant.

Ferncliff---here I come!

Oh-- it's been the most gorgeous foliage this past week! I've had the pleasure of driving "over the mountain" (to Hot Springs) and once further up the interstate on errands and such! And, the colors have been stunning!! Surprising considering the lack of moisture we've had all year that there were even any leaves left on the trees at all! It even inspired me to get my Rebel out and snap a few pictures-- and send the Olympus off to repair the flash unit.

Why is it that picture images are so very vital to me?? I can't even begin to explain that-- but, by framing a composition and trying to achieve the right lighting that just completes a part of my that I can't define. And, then-- to further document the image by embellishing it with paint, ink and paper-- oh- that's really satisfying! And, that is why I look so forward to going to scrap retreats! Besides the friendships!!

Ferncliff is a beautiful little Presbyterian church camp not far from Pinnacle Mountain. It's what is termed as "cozy" and a bit like primitive in comparison to other retreats that are offered. I think the name alone inspires creativity and an ambiance for an artists getaway! From what I understand- the history of the Ferncliff crop is just a few friends looking for a cheap getaway. The waiting list has grown every year since! I've been on the waiting list for three years- I'm finally IN! Friend, Kim, is also "in" and we start our trek Friday.

This week should have been spent packing and pre-planning page kits... but- I decided to reorganize (complete with new tables and floor and shelving lay-outs) my studio. WHAT A MESS!! But- for some strange reason- I couldn't seem to THINK in the other configuration.. so- maybe NOW I can think through the mess and get some stuff found (of course, I've lost it all in the organization process!) and packed and get outta here! I also got an appointment to have my yearly gyno- check up and got an opening in the UAMS seminar weight-loss program; so-- I'm multi-tasking as well. I just hope I don't forget to pack the important stuff for the retreat... bed roll, pj's, some make-up(?), make home-made sweet-treats, argh... I'd better make some bigger lists.. and somewhere had better find some more time!!

What first sounded restful and peaceful is now looking like a looming stresser!! UGH!! How could THIS happen?? Oh. wait. Calm down. Deep breaths... think fall foliage... think.... lovely pictures... think... I don't have them PACKED YET!! ARGH! Gotta run workaround!!