Category: ART

Off to the Pioneer Valley to get my elf today — for the semester break. The above photo was four years ago when she was 16. Her canine compatriot will be 16 in less than a month. Been out straight lately with my rehab hospital job and catching up on my off days. Not complaining though. I had no income for about 6 weeks and the hours I’ve been getting are so welcome.

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
~ Brian Littrell

** photo is a couple of local kitchen stars — Mama Louise and her youngest son, Michael of Il Maestro ~

When my laptop crashed a few weeks ago, I’d been in a fairly regular blog writing groove, but am having trouble lately getting back into the swing of it. Sometimes the thoughts are flying by so fast, I just plain can’t catch ’em quick enough. Then there’s other days where it’s just a struggle — I’d rather tell than write. Maybe it’s the Irish in me and the long line of storytelling history that goes with my heritage. Whatever, here I am today trying to spit something out. Actually, I’ve been working a lot on the BEAR retreat planning — every week brings me a little closer to the pieces beginning to come together and fit well. I have almost all the teachers worked out and can’t wait to introduce them, I believe I’ve finally found a chef, and am hoping to start registration by the end of the month. I know, good timing, huh? What with the holidays and all? But still, just gotta go with it and put it out there. Sometimes I get a little fearful and overwhelmed and the doubts creep in — all the what ifs? One of my mother-in-law’s favorite sayings was “ifs don’t count.” I used to not get it and even begged to differ, but I don’t know, sometimes I think she had a point. She had so much wisdom.

** the photo is one of my beloved niece, Mairead when she was about 10 a few summers ago (modeling one of our crazy vintage hats from our site)…remember when you were 10 and the world was still your oyster?

Lately, I’ve been busy and lazy — and just not in the mood to focus on writing blogs (don’t mind reading them though). Think it’s also because I’ve been hunkering down at home lately as it gets a wee bit colder, so don’t have many adventures to share other than my crazy dreams. Had another one last night — I was working in a restaurant with Dr. Fleischman from Northern Exposure — he was a dishwasher. Probably related to one of the episodes I watched last night when he joined the volunteer fire department — that’s the only thing I can think of — so dish washing hose, firefighting hose? He didn’t seem too bent out of shape to be washing dishes — amazing for his character.

I did venture out to Providence on Saturday, a majorly skanky day — cold rain, raw, possibility of snow. Met my girlfriend at the Foundry Show which was smaller than we expected but still good. From there we went to the Providence Winter Market which I cannot speak highly enough of — got a huge bag of organic oats from Maine (love my “rolled oats” for breakfast as my Irish gran used to call them), some Jacob’s cattle beans and all kinds of yummy veggies. Had read about a beet and endive salad on a blog Friday — sounded so good, I found the ingredients in Providence. Afterwards it was on to the delightful Olga’s Cup and Saucer, a place I’ve always loved. About 7 or 8 years ago, after dropping my girl and her friend off at TF Green airport to catch their flight to Florida (which they promptly missed because Mom did not plan for post-9/11 security delays), I had my meltdown at Olga’s as I talked to a flight attendant trying to get them on the next plane (Success! Go Southwest — you are the best!).

Olga Bravo is an artisan baker and RISD grad — there’s all kinds of cool metal work there — racks, seating and what not — and back then, before the addition, it had an industrial feel inside (it may have been an old gas station down there in Providence’s Jewelry District). It was Valentine’s season and Olga had all these cool paper hearts hanging from the pipes. Her place can always restore this weary traveling mama’s soul. I mean how can you go wrong with art, tea and scrumptious cookies?

Thank goodness it was just a dream…I dreamt last night that Tom Brady was my son and Giselle Bundchen my daughter-in-law, and I have to admit I wasn’t very welcoming to her. Not too thrilled with him either. On the other hand, as Marty pointed out, having a helicopter pilot in the family would certainly feed my desire to travel the world.

But I much prefer the son I have, and was delighted when I woke up to realize this was just a dream. Still, that helicopter’s got me thinking…

** photo of Giselle with her helicopter pilot instructor from Ian Nolan/Splash news

I’m off to the library soon before they close for the holiday. Thelma and Louise have been beckoning to me for quite some time. I need an adventure like theirs minus the problems with the law. I think while I’m at it, it’s also time to pick up Home for the Holidays for my annual viewing.