1. I found a seven of hearts while on my morning walk with Blue today. Of course I picked it up, sort of unearthed it, from where it was lying. The whole card is there, folded over and stuck together, with grass and dirt in the middle. Does anyone know the name of the movie where the male lead found playing cards in random places and ALWAYS picked them up? I know I didn’t imagine it, and admittedly it’s driving me crazy that I can’t quite recall. Google doesn’t often let me down, but today it did. I KNOW this was a plot point in at least one romantic comedy. The question is, WHICH ONE?! (Perhaps it’s time to have some coffee?) ~ Janean May 25, 2013

    I found a seven of hearts while on my morning walk with Blue today. Of course I picked it up, sort of unearthed it, from where it was lying. The whole card is there, folded over and stuck together, with grass and dirt in the middle. Does anyone know the name of the movie where the male lead found playing cards in random places and ALWAYS picked them up? I know I didn’t imagine it, and admittedly it’s driving me crazy that I can’t quite recall. Google doesn’t often let me down, but today it did. I KNOW this was a plot point in at least one romantic comedy. The question is, WHICH ONE?! (Perhaps it’s time to have some coffee?) ~ Janean

    May 25, 2013

  2. I Dream of Lilac Time →

    This morning as Blue and I walked through the park I savored the scent of the lilacs. Their fragrance reminded me of a long ago art fair conversation, with a painting woman who has the same first name as mine. She told me she was named for the song, “Jeannine, I Dream of Lilac Time.” I found it years ago to listen to, but had forgotten. Rediscovered it today on YouTube, and listened again with a smile this morn. Ah yes. It’s lilac time.

  3. I’m letting Blue dog curl up next to me in the empty love seat spot There is a doorknob jangle Nearly 8:00am First boy is out of bed My oldest, The Early Bird (like me) He saw Blue on the love seat and said, “Oh boy. Mom!” Then he pet Blue and said, “Look at him. He likes this I betcha.” Yep. He does. Spoiled rotten love him too much Blue dog. Nearly 9:00am now Youngest son joins us in the family room and says, “There’s another Blue on the couch.” To the dog he says, “Blue, you’re in my spot.” What follows made me laugh aloud… Youngest boy climbs across arm of love seat, surprised dog gets down, then once my nine year old son is tucked tightly up against my side, Blue jumps up again in the space remaining Quiet from earlier is replaced with a WWII show from History channel being played back via DVR Saturday morning has truly begun Blue is even sleeping on the floor Breakfast for the boys is next Good morning May 18, 2013

    I’m letting Blue dog curl up next to me in the empty love seat spot
    There is a doorknob jangle
    Nearly 8:00am
    First boy is out of bed
    My oldest, The Early Bird (like me)
    He saw Blue on the love seat and said, “Oh boy. Mom!”
    Then he pet Blue and said, “Look at him. He likes this I betcha.”
    Yep. He does. Spoiled rotten love him too much Blue dog.
    Nearly 9:00am now
    Youngest son joins us in the family room and says, “There’s another Blue on the couch.”
    To the dog he says, “Blue, you’re in my spot.”
    What follows made me laugh aloud…
    Youngest boy climbs across arm of love seat, surprised dog gets down, then once my nine year old son is tucked tightly up against my side, Blue jumps up again in the space remaining
    Quiet from earlier is replaced with a WWII show from History channel being played back via DVR
    Saturday morning has truly begun
    Blue is even sleeping on the floor
    Breakfast for the boys is next
    Good morning

    May 18, 2013

  4. I’m sorting Art Club’s artwork into portfolios to give them at our last hurrah lunchtime pizza party today. I’m as excited as they are that we get to be together one last time this school year. We’ve had fun AND they made some cool art. Win win! May 14, 2013

    I’m sorting Art Club’s artwork into portfolios to give them at our last hurrah lunchtime pizza party today. I’m as excited as they are that we get to be together one last time this school year. We’ve had fun AND they made some cool art. Win win!

    May 14, 2013

  5. the first iris bloom all the more special because it is a transplant from Grandma’s garden Grandpa chose the colors sent them North in five gallon buckets with my father who dug up the boring white ones and planted vivid hues that my grandmother first chose and I prefer too oh, the first iris bloom looking forward to yellow, pale blue, two-tone the other colorful iris that will follow soon May 13, 2013

    the first iris bloom
    all the more special
    because it is a transplant
    from Grandma’s garden
    Grandpa chose the colors
    sent them North
    in five gallon buckets
    with my father
    who dug up
    the boring white ones
    and planted vivid hues
    that my grandmother first chose
    and I prefer too
    oh, the first iris bloom
    looking forward
    to yellow, pale blue, two-tone
    the other colorful iris
    that will follow
    soon

    May 13, 2013

  6. Blue and I had a quiet walk this morning. Less traffic noise and fewer joggers on Saturday than the weekdays. The purple petals along the boulevard in the park charm me. We walked atop white petals too. Ah Spring. You’ve been a beauty! May 11, 2013

    Blue and I had a quiet walk this morning. Less traffic noise and fewer joggers on Saturday than the weekdays. The purple petals along the boulevard in the park charm me. We walked atop white petals too. Ah Spring. You’ve been a beauty!

    May 11, 2013

  7. I LOVE ART

    I enjoyed being a Career Day guest speaker. The fourth graders were great listeners! One class even clapped after I read my poem, “sing your song.” Others ooo’ed and ahh’ed at my artwork as it appeared on the smart board. I have a new skill now too: Smart Board Operator. I’ve already been invited back for next year!

    May 10, 2013

  8. This afternoon I’ll be speaking to three 4th grade classes about careers in art. I’ve had a few: gallery watcher, gallery crew/gallery watcher, graphic artist and art director. Currently I’m a fine artist and volunteer art teacher. I’m also to work in references to reading and math. I’m going to thrill the teachers when I say, “Artists need to know how to add and divide fractions.” ‘Tis true! I’m sending each child home with a copy of my poem, “sing your song”, as well as a brochure of summer classes offered at the McLean County Arts Center and business cards for Main Gallery 404. I added an extra copy to each stack so the teacher can have one too. Next week my Art Club will receive the same packet. Oh, how I love sharing the fun of creating art with others. Especially children. *happy sigh* May 10, 2013

    This afternoon I’ll be speaking to three 4th grade classes about careers in art. I’ve had a few: gallery watcher, gallery crew/gallery watcher, graphic artist and art director. Currently I’m a fine artist and volunteer art teacher. I’m also to work in references to reading and math. I’m going to thrill the teachers when I say, “Artists need to know how to add and divide fractions.” ‘Tis true! I’m sending each child home with a copy of my poem, “sing your song”, as well as a brochure of summer classes offered at the McLean County Arts Center and business cards for Main Gallery 404. I added an extra copy to each stack so the teacher can have one too. Next week my Art Club will receive the same packet. Oh, how I love sharing the fun of creating art with others. Especially children. *happy sigh*

    May 10, 2013

  9. “sunset” May 7, 2013 Photograph taken from the sidewalk, where I was walking with Blue after supper. It was a peace full, happy moment too. (The shot itself was downright lucky - I only took one, as the dog and I paused in our walk long enough to get it…or should that be paws’ed?!)

    “sunset”
    May 7, 2013
    Photograph taken from the sidewalk, where I was walking with Blue after supper. It was a peace full, happy moment too. (The shot itself was downright lucky - I only took one, as the dog and I paused in our walk long enough to get it…or should that be paws’ed?!)

  10. Sunday afternoon

    Sitting on the back patio now. In the shade to avoid sun glare on my laptop screen. Have the wind in my hair - a l’il breezy but overall not bad. My dog is keeping me company and my youngest son just joined me. I’d summoned him out of doors to have a conversation - about cussing…because he said if he could cuss it’d let some of his mad out. I hear that! So much like his mama the way he slams doors, stomps and grr’s. I call him my grizzly bear cub and sign notes to him, “Grizzly Bear Mama.”

    April 14, 2013 

    excerpt from personal email correspondance