Christmas in pictures

Oh, Christmas Tree... oh, Christmas tree....

Bits & pieces....

End of an era

So long Netscape. Farewell Mozilla.

The on ramp to the information highway was marked with the Netscape Navigator icon. It's shining beacon led many of us far far away... to destinations previously unknown. I'll never forget my delight in the mid 90's when I discovered that the CIA had an online presence and even claiming to have gone there gave one a giddy feeling! Ahhhh... internet innocence.

That was way back in the days of the infancy of the whole world-wide-web. I took a course (college credit, even!) just to figure out how to FTP and I vividly recall begging the teacher to give us some html instruction! Her reply-- "that's a whole language in and of itself!"... duh... not a couple of weeks later and netscape navigator offered a modified WYSIWYG editor just for web-building-wanna-be's as myself. Didn't have to learn a new language after all! Should have... but, didn't!

But, today... our trusty Apples comes preloaded with Safari and it has worked- so, no need to download additional softwares. Too bad for a great program.

Wrigley Wreindeer!

Wrigley Dawg!

So good natured! Such a sport! Is it any wonder that he's saying "oh,no,no!"

Thanks to neighbor, Mshell, he is sporting these lovely new antlers!

He has been such a faithful companion throughout the years... it's hard to believe he's almost 13. Yesterday when Byron pulled into the drive, Wrigs gave the happy dance. Since it was such a nice sunny afternoon- Byron could tell he wanted to prance around in the yard and play a game of chase. Only thing- they are both so old! Poor Wrigs' back legs promptly gave way and the game was over. He's still got the spirit of a young dog- glad he has a nice warm fire to curl up beside.





Here he is with a few friends...

Sam, Max and Wrigley keeping the homefires burning!

Yes... it's good to be home. For ALL of us!

Happy Christmas!

Creative Relief... and Release

It's official!!
Fall Semester 2007 grades have been posted!
And for the first time in my academic career- I have a 3.66 for a semester total!
YIPPEEE!!! Can I just celebrate for 15 minutes right now?? Fame not necessary, Mr Warhol!

The success alone of having achieved not one, but at least two hurdles has me "over the moon"!

Suffice it to say.... I did not think that my research paper grade (89) in Ancient Art History class was enough to compensate for the image identification test scores. Sadly- I'm not a test taker and froze up. Typical. I saw the pieces, knew darn well what it was and could only get the first letter of the name of the piece and/or the artist and dates totally escaped me. Talk about frustration! The minute I walked out the door, all the names came flooding in on me and I knew whole names and details and backgrounds of the politics that were developing at the time that had influenced the work. Some of that I had inserted when I couldn't even get the first letter in the blank.... I KNOW this stuff! But, when it comes time to prove it- you can forget it! All I can figure is that the instructor clearly knows that about me and was very gracious and attendance DOES count!

The other AMAZING thing to me! I AM an ARTIST! Whew! What a RELIEF! I don't know why it is so hard to claim that. I mean- I've called myself arkyartist for a long time. But, to be honest- I've always thought I was just faking it. That I was a "wanna-be". But, to pass not one- but, TWO- drawing classes has finally given me the confidence to really claim it! What a RELIEF!

I've got so many other things to accomplish! I've got to get busy! There are so many projects I want to get started on- things that I didn't feel like I was really ready to handle. I will say that getting actual college credit for a subjective area like artwork gives one the confidence of David. I'm not suggesting that I'm ready to take on Goliath. But, it is gratifying to know that an objective staff of legitimate artists viewed my work and have given their nod of approval. Now that's all I'm going to say about personal fears and apprehensions.

Whew! I'm not sure which I'm more proud of! Doesn't matter! I'm celebrating!

Me 'n Sam! Sam 'n I. We are happy. I've only checked and rechecked those grades twelve times tonight! Just to make sure I wasn't dreaming!

And tomorrow? We'll get out that new vacuum that really sucks (lol!), do a little tidying and set up the Christmas tree! And- then... the studio awaits! YIPPEEEE!!!

I hope you find your creative strength and inspiration!

Oh! And, I may have been silent for the last few weeks... but, I've been steadily taking photos! Maybe I'll get some posted soon! Stay tuned!