Halloweens Past

Ghouls, gypsies, clowns, pirates, Frankenstein, and more. . .

Top photo: Stephanie, Christie and Justin spend Halloween at
Great Grandma's. A gallon milk jug was used for  Frankenstein's head.
Bottom left: Good times with cousins Amanda and Lisa during earlier years.

This must have been after the trick-or-treating. Their bags
look fairly bulky and they look fairly tired.

Top left: Cousin Shane adds to the Halloween fun.
Top right: Cousin Jennifer with Mean Witch Jessie.

Jessie as Mean Witch

Bear Pair

I can bearly contain my excitement.

This seems like the perfect opportunity to say. . . 

congratulations on the purchase of your first home,

Jessie and Rob! 

ParaNorman TeaserS

Movie production company, LAIKA, which specializes in animation, just released this teaser poster and trailer for ParaNorman, their latest stop-motion film. It will hit theaters in August of next year. Here's the ParaNorman Trailer that is being released today.

My son-in-law, Rob, the one with the hat in the previous post, is a Set Dresser Lead for ParaNorman. He previously worked on Coraline, another LAIKA stop-motion production released in 2009. He built some of the sets for that film, including the spiral staircase.

I just discovered a site worth checking out. For sure!!!! Here's LAIKA. My family and I were fortunate to have received a tour of the studio (Thanks, Rob.) and we saw several of the characters and sets used for Coraline. Seeing this LEIKA video stokes my excitement about the whole stop-motion process.

"When a small town comes under siege by zombies, who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman, who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst, of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits." 

On a slow train to. . .

Distractions.

Distractions.

Distractions.

There are a PILE of things I could be doing but I decided to do a bit of surfing instead. It had nothing to do with the web but rather with the slew of photos I've collected over the years in iPhoto. Out of all of them, this is the one that grabbed my attention.

That's me with the glasses perched on top of my head and the guy with the hat is my son-in-law. The other person, the one with the "ahhhhh mouth," is my daughter. A few family members and I were enjoying a train ride around Mt. Hood in Oregon when this interesting shot was taken. The brick and old wood door were the first things I noticed but then the family portrait emerged when I focused on the reflection.

Bigger Family; Shorter Boots

Things we forget to remember; or choose not to.

That is not the case when it comes to this painting. I simply forgot that I created this early rendition of a pair of "floating" boots. It came to my attention during a search of portfolios stored in the attic space above the stairway.

If I remember correctly, the boots were some of my favorites. But that is rather obvious based on their worn appearance.

I've always loved boots—and always will.

If, a few years down the road, you get sight of a stooped, mussy-haired, granny with unlaced sh-- kickers atop a pair of saggy baggy, mismatched, hunting socks, it could be me.

But not likely. That's hardly my style.

Maybe it has to do with growing up in the '60s but I've always been a knee-high, leather boot kind of girl. It sounds a bit bizarre, but the boot tops got shorter as my family got bigger; and, over time, the tops disappeared completely. Boots were replaced by tennis shoes, sandals, and the like.

But, now that the children have moved on—and my calves have shrunk some—I may have to get me some of them there fancy schmancy knee-high boots. The granddaughters will think I'm the just the coolest granny around; or they'll think I'm off my dang rocker. Nah! They'll think I'm cool.

Photo of original watercolor.

A Little Girl and Her Grandpas

Samantha with Great Grandpa during his visit last month.

Samantha with "Regular Grandpa."

Granddaughters love to ride on Regular Grandpa's tractor.

Photos courtesy of Eric Schwartz 2011

Rusty Nails

Visually speaking, I live in a constant state of inspiration. It has little to do with where I live or the way I live; but rather with my being an artistic type. I can see creative potential in a pile of rusty nails. 

But being this way has its drawbacks. I am often distracted by things around me: light patterns reflecting on the wall; dew glistening on a freshly woven spider web; trees bowing precariously in the wind.

And it seems that right brained folks like myself are a wee-e-e bit more fragile when it comes to rejection and criticism. Personally, it keeps me from doing certain things; like writing. You wouldn't be reading this post if I didn't write sometimes, but there is almost always a degree of inner conflict whenever I do.

That's why I appreciate Wake Up Cloud and Aliventures, a couple recent discoveries. Their words are quite enlightening, as well as encouraging. 

Rotten Banana

Sometimes when I need it most, it is nowhere to be found. But, fortunately, my focus was razor sharp the day I created this marker rendering of the so called rotten banana.

I remember the day well. Several years ago I was attending school while earning a degree in commercial art. There was a one hour break between classes and I was going to use the time to complete the assignment for my next class: Illustration. Rather than completing the piece, I rendered it it unusable. I started to panic. Please! No more late assignments! (I learned that taking all of the courses recommended in a semester with four school age children at home isn't always a wise choice. . . too much homework.)

As I sat there thinking about the potential consequences of what I had done, I could feel the determination well up inside of me. I wasn't ready to give up quite yet. The banana that I packed for lunch pulled double duty that day. It was a perfect specimen for my illustration; and it helped stave off total starvation. The near lightning speed rendering earned me an A-

When I strive to find the necessary focus to complete certain tasks, I can't help but think about that day. I could use a few more of those "rotten banana" days.

50/50

Movement without motion.

This photo grabbed me by the collar and placed me on that dark tree-shrouded path leading to the unknown. A shadowy vortex of motion generated by a common perspective.

Will I enter into a place of peace and tranquility or one that inflicts immense pain?

I've heard it said that "light is love."

But what if they're wrong?

What would you do?



Notation: This post is not in reference to religion. It's about "sparking" creativity—my own.

Othello and Li'l Me

There was really no need for caffeine today. The early arrival of a couple energetic granddaughters is all it took to get the day started.

It began with a game of Othello. I have come to realize that Elyse is exceptionally strategic for a seven year old. She almost always wins.

While Elyse and I played, Samantha wriggled and bounced on my lap and nibbled on cheese crackers. The black and white discs were hard for Sami to resist but Elyse and I managed to keep the game intact until we finished. . . a pleasant surprise.

Samantha (l) and Elyse (r) earlier this year 

One of their favorite toys is the Li'l Me Boutique. Manufactured in the 1970s, it is now kept in the attic space above the stairway—along with several other toys that belonged to their parents years ago. A personal favorite is the Richard Scarry Puzzletown Set  shown in an earlier post.

Watched!

Someone apparently lost their bearings on this cool autumn day and took a wrong turn. What possible explanation is there for this scaly little fella to be hanging around my back door? Surely he is not thinking about hibernating in or near our foundation. A cozy concrete retreat for two perhaps?

A face only a mother could love? He's cute close up but from
afar—shiver me timbers! Even garter snakes eek me out.

This "feather-faced" lover boy let his existance be known by situating himself only inches from the patio and refusing to move—despite consistent foot traffic from my dog and me. He simply observed. No matter the direction: left, right, up, down, he'd adjust his ossified little skull oh so slightly so he could keep us in sight. 

When I realized that Romeo wasn't going anywhere soon, I grabbed my camera and started taking photos. He was unswayed. He stood his ground as I zoomed in and captured him from all sides. I was a mere foot and a half away in some instances. (I noted a slight grin in one photo pose.)

Why our Great Black Hunter lab didn't pick up on the snake's scent, I'll never know. She was within inches, yet she did not see it. 

Note: I went out an hour later to see if the garter snake was still around but he was not. "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?" You best not be in my basement!

Onions. . . Not So Much

"Variety is the spice of life" and I thought I'd add a bit to yours and mine with a handwritten post. But, after a few attempts, I decided to save it for another day. Who knew that endless hours of typing would affect one's ability to write.

And now to today's post. . .

The end is near. Within a matter of days, I will be back to buying tomatoes in the produce department of the local grocery store. I've enjoyed the fresh homegrown variety. This was a tomato kind of year here in Wisconsin. They were plentiful and flavorful.

The photo shows Sunday's end-of-garden harvest; as well as my willing assistant, Halle. With the exception of onions, she sampled mini versions of each vegetable. As it turns out, she is especially partial to cucumbers.

Joyful Connections

Two special packages arrived in Wednesday's mail. I was quite excited. This is why:

One contained the Look Book for Saint Elyns, a line of clothing our daughter, Jessie, is in the process of launching; as well as some items from (capsule) Trade Show. She displayed her clothing line at the show last month in New York. There was also a lovely handwritten postcard inside the envelope. 

The other package was from author Sharon Creech. She sent my granddaughters (and I) a signed copy of her latest book, The Unfinished Angel. She also sent autographed cards for each of the girls. I look forward to sharing these wonderful gifts with Lydia, Elyse and Samantha. I love Ms. Creech's writing and have a collection of her books. 

How joyful to have such thoughtful mail in my mailbox.

Another source of joy this week is the metal tin that sits in the back room next to the phone. It is packed plumb full of letters, notes and greeting cards sent by family and friends over the years. Although I'm certain there were many more, it is a significant collection.

Heartfelt handwritten communications are rare and should to be cherished. A recent article, Don't Write Anymore?, expresses similar sentiments. I couldn't always decipher the words my parents and grandparents wrote but I could clearly envision them sitting there writing them. 

I'd like to hear your thoughts about handwritten communications versus typed.

Note: I save my personal email messages and letters and organize them in files on my computer. Words are important—no matter how one chooses to communicate them.

Yes. . . I Went Walking

I went walking and what did I see?

A black lab named Halle that seems to love this weather as much as I do. 

Sunlit trees, gold-flecked bushes, berry covered brambles and seed-laden milkweed pods.

Shimmering golds, warm umbers, shades of green and endless palettes of color.

I went walking and what else did I see?

A SCARY FACE LOOKING AT ME! :-O

Note: Click on photos to enlarge. Arrow back to return to blog.

Bon Appétit

Another Winter Poem

Snowflake Souffle

                                  In silence they come tumbling down                                    

tossing twirling to the ground.

Hours pass. . . the piles grow higher.

Snowflake Souffle is what you desire!?!

In wonderment I sit and stare

at Mother Nature's creative flair.

In the far off clouds I see

a glistening white menagerie.

There's an arctic fox, an albino deer, 

a great white bear, yet have no fear.

For in the clouds they'll prance about

'til the north winds blow-w-w them out.

To the earth they'll make their way,

this icy creation—more Snowflake Souffle!

Snowflake Souffle. . . so fluffy and light.

C'est magnifique! A beautiful sight! 

© 2008 K.S.D.

The original version of this poem, also represented in this blog, was written for family and friends in December of 2008.  

HowL HowL HaLLowee-e-e-n

Have you felt it... the chill in the air? It may be because fall has recently arrived but it is likely because Halloween is approaching.

My granddaughters and a few unsuspecting guests will soon be greeted by glowing eyes, jars of giant bugs, morbid creatures from the grave and mournful pleading cries for mercy (my poor hubby).  If you were my guest, would you return?

A little reassurance: once you make it past the entryway, I will cordially offer up hot chocolate, spicy cider and smiling pumpkin face cookies. :-)