Animal Farm

Hello there!

I don't consider Saturday mornings at the Farmers Market a success unless I spill something on myself. Fortunately the coffee that found its way onto my shirt was hidden by the stripes on said shirt.

But nothing in the world should hide this little piggy who went to market on her first visit!

Named Babe, she will not be used for anything other than being a big pig with her own litters one day, raised with obvious love and humour by the Farm who keeps her and her mom in feed -- isn't she tiny? Yeah... now she is, but just wait. And she was incredibly soft, her little red whiskers like fine paintbrush bristles.

Here she is getting a bottle from one of the kids who takes care of her. She has a rather ugly booboo on her right side near the back leg. Mom stepped on her when she was born... only two weeks ago!

Carrie with one of the chicks being raised by these same farmers, one of them a British transplant, now outside Athens... so Sarah, if you are interested in moving your own household, we evidently are quite the place to be now.

My Good Girls outside on their private porch -- Molly obviously still peeved over her earlier vet visit as it takes away from her early morning Sun Worship. Bess, who obviously loves everything and everyone, has no grievances whatsoever.

When I see these morning glories on the Girls' fence, I know Autumn is really just down the road... and it can't get here fast enough for me.

A report on my "staycation" will be filed on this here blog later this week.

Till then, take Care of yourselves from

Candace in Athens

Pax Vobiscum

Candace

The Shrine and 10 Things About Me

First, what we have been waiting for. What I have gathered you all here for...

Last year, I told you about my friend Melody who died (unbeknownst to all her friends) some months earlier, a day after her birthday, two days after Christmas. I labeled that post “Pavane For A Dead Princess” as it seemed very apt at the time. She loved that piece of music, which you can hear at this url. There is a lovely painting that accompanies it.

I vowed last summer to make Melody a shrine one day… and while I do not think Kitten knew she was steering me towards this memorial, I don’t believe in mere coincidence. This was something that was meant to be.

And now, this shrine is growing into something much bigger than an aspirin-sized tin. Already, I have shown you other bits and pieces of items which will go on this shrine… the heart of which is in this last photo here. While not innately sentimental, I think Melody would be really pleased at the intent and attempted artistry.

Melody liked knowing and discussing the cultural differences and commonalities regarding the most basic of things shared on this old blue marble we all call Home. Death was one of them... as was love.

Hopefully by el Dia de los Muertos, the shrine will have been completed and will be shown to you all at that time.

And NOW, for The 10!

Tagged by the fabu Janet of “Are We There Yet?”, I agreed to participate in this “confessional”. But I thought I would spice it up just a touch… like it needs it.

Just like everyone else’s, my life is filled with wonderful, magical things completed by sparkling elements, while over there in other corners, not so fun things have wreaked havoc on me and others.

Interactive (there are more urls, more fun). Rated Mature. Here We Go-Go!

10 Things About Me, Myself, and I

1. I used to sing and dance in front of the tube whenever A., Mickey Mouse Club or B., Liberace were on the little black and white television.

2. I read a book a week, sometimes two, and I make a little art every day.

3. I’m a published author.

4. I could read really, really, really well -- like the newspaper and the Bible, etc. -- when I was four years old. Oh yeah, and my uncle Dewey’s Argosy magazines.

5. I started drinking coffee when I was four years old, too. Coincidence between items 4 and 5? You be the judge!

6. I was Amahl in a college production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” two years in a row. (Stop laughing! I was small, I had a good voice, I was a ham -- i.e., I was great!) Seriously, there is no way I can tell you how thrilled I was as I had seen the original presentations as a child, sitting by my mom, both of us mesmerized by the story of the little crippled shepherd boy, his poor but proud mother and Three Wise Men, who just happen to be looking for a special child … 7. I was ostracized in high school when folks found out my sister’s husband was African-American. Yes, it was rough. I had two friends -- Leon and Janice. Even now, I would come home with my shield or on it for them. Yes, just like the 300...

8. I play the piano and sing and dance – but not at the same time.
9. I talk to my animals. Yes, out LOUD. I don’t care who hears me. Sometimes I indulge them with baby talk, sometimes aggravated adult talk. (Hey, you’ve seen them and know what I have to deal with.)
10. I drove my best friend to a certain kind of clinic three states away when I was 20 years old -- and I had no license at the time. She was threatening to either “commit suicide” or “just do it myself with a coat hanger”. So another friend and I took turns driving and crying… there and back. Please note that this was while we were all attending private and very conservative religious schools. We were scared there and back again, and upset and confused in so many ways for a long, long time. We all ended up no longer friends within the year. No fights, just – drifting ap-ar -t. Staying a-wa ...y from each other.

So there you have it. Fun and not so, eh? Well, that’s how it goes. In the words of Sam Lamott, “I think I already understand about life: pretty good, some problems.” Of course, Sam was seven when he let loose with this pithy pronouncement. I’m past that by some years now.

Get More of What and Who You Love.

Candace

Tee Tiny -- Another Look

Hello Everyone!

FIRST: Here is the art giveaway I wrote about last week. If this link doesn't do it for you, just go to the incomparable Cart Before The Horse and check out Jo’s giveaway.

While my shrine is not 100% completed, for boring mundane reasons I won’t go into now, here are First Looks of only some of the things in that Tee Tiny Challenge of a Shrine.

I used my hand for scale before putting the heart in the second photo.

And I have to admit, I did set up these “dates” given. That’s right, Kitten never set those dates for me. I did it to myself. (Talk about shooting yourself in the foot – lol!)

I know, I know... you are all wondering HOW I am going to fit all those items into that shrine!? Trust me.

We have an Art Shenanigans Day Friday and I can hardly wait. It’s been too long.

On another happy note, Anne of Gaal Creative has given me the MEME Award (seen below). Thanks, Anne! I have to tell seven things about myself. Uh oh. Janet over here has tagged me as well and I have to tell 10 other things about myself. Whew. I might have to start making stuff up!

Let me start with The Seven and work my way up – tomorrow – to The 10.

1. I have been in two very bad car accidents.

2. I read a book a week, sometimes more, even during earnings season when I am my busiest.

3. I read what are still unfortunately referred to as “comic books”. Little do some folks know!

4. I watch and read and write SF&F (and horror).

5. I am a member of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

6. I am a member of the Atlanta Food Bank.

7. I am allergic to shellfish, particularly shrimp, which I used to eat TONS of until I hit 40. And then, one day – bam!

And let me leave you now with these shots of the Faerie Folks’ latest work in our back yard. They aren’t just building Faerie Rings this year. Some of these are one step away from Faerie Condominiums. (That’s T’s hand in one shot for a semblance of scale.)

It looks like someone took a bite out of that one, doesn't it?

Mmmm.... look me in the eye.

Tune in tomorrow for more Shenanigans.

Get More of What You Love.
Candace in Athens

Tee Tiny Challenges -- Part One

These flowers are all but gone now, just days after blooming their hearts out for me in the woods beside my house. And they certainly are not tee tiny, believe you me.

Hello Everyone!

"Odalisque" (below) is my first showing of what is going on to the 2 inch by 2 inch (aka Tee Tiny) canvas. Sorry it's a little blurry. It goes onto the canvas Friday. And you'll see it then when it is totally finished. So there you go!
Here is a link to "A Fanciful Twist" which was linked to -- sort of -- on my last post. This Halloween Party in Blogovia looks like SO much fun I cannot resist and hope you won't resist it, either.

So on to Tee Tiny -- Part Two next. I mean, seriously. Posting it in a few, Peeps.

Get More of What You Love,

Candace

Almost Here!

And I don't mean just the SHRINE DAY FOR LABOR DAY gimmick.

Well, okay, okay -- that too. But let’s be honest. If you’re like me, sometimes you get a little “Sick of Pink”

and bright perky rooms and décor, perfect hairdos on perfect people wearing perfect “too-cute” clothing. After a while, you need something totally different to keep you going, hold your attention and make you smile --.

Well then, might I suggest you actually consider embracing that change? How about mysterious soft music and crisp cool air with apple cider and fun games like bobbing for apples? Might I suggest orange, and golden tones, deep green and garnet and – HALLOWEEN?

I would really like to do more than simply suggest and instead highly recommend going HERE and then, checking out THIS and finally on Labor Day proper, along with the Shrine Day For Labor Day Holiday On Ice gimmick, I will pop in a fun giveaway from a rather well known and respected artisan to boot. Fun stuff you’re sure to love as we count down to My National Holiday!

Look at my compost pile which did not overall accomplish much gardenwise, but today, of course…

That's Nature for you, isn't it? That Gal does what she wants, when she wants. And like it or not, that's (usually) a good thing.

Take care and check back Monday -- oh yes, and

Get More of What You Love.

Candace in Athens.

All The Birds Are Leaving

Welcome to September!
The name of this little piece is “Miss Collins”. As you can see, all the birds are leaving. Ah how can they know it’s time for them to go?

This is one of her own favourites as well as one of mine, particularly today. Is the summer done up and gone? What happened? It was here just a second ago! Yes, there is a definite chill in the air today... however, yes, it is Sandy Denny and not Judy. It's the song, not the singer.

Was I green in 1972 when I first heard this? You have no idea. Not even I have an idea and I was there.

Then, just as quickly as this summer of ‘09 has up and gone, it was Christmas ‘72, on the precipice of ’73 when things really did change for me. And a record player and “Colors of the Day” happened (thanks, Janice, wherever you done up and gone to!) … and I sat down and freehanded one of my first sketches while this song played in my folks' big ass living room. Jeez Louise, even for today, it is a big living room. I’ve lived in entire houses that were smaller than that one room.

Back then, my folks’ house seemed enormous. Even the last day I was in it, my mother truly up and gone forever, and then my dad taken to his new home – gosh, when was that? Really? -- there was a vastness to that living room. With furniture from what seemed like a retro minimalist's dream, blond hardwood floors and a magnificently expansive “picture window”, I swear you could have flown a 747 through that place, landing it safely on the old upright.

Speaking of sketches – and I was at some point - I am indeed in "The Sketchbook Project", thanks to nudges from Sarah Wallis and Anne Gaal. Anne already has her sketchbook, that lucky girl! And I think I will start up another blog to deal with this opportunity, again thanks to a good idea on a certain Circle of Rain post! This will truly be fun.

Have you forgotten the SHRINE DAY FOR LABOR DAY gimmick? Next Monday, rain or shine, I have to have that work up or You Know Who (Kitten!) will take away my crayons! Mmmm… what is in my shrine? What have I chosen? How small can I get? How large? How ridiculously fun will it be? How somber?

Well, darlings, do show up and find out. And join in -- it’s not too late. Yours can be large as large can be. I am the one with those tee tiny challenges, remember -- not you.

Take care! Yes, yes, I am shutting down -- AND up -- now.
Get More of Everything.
Candace in Athens.