Inspired Home & Living

2011-08-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

The Human Entropy Project (David OBrien)

Going out is the 'us against them', 'me against you' and 'death to the finish' I am advised. Coming in is 'many in one heart'. What will the Earth be like when we are in a cooperative, collaborative and mutually respectful phase? Some will fear and fight their way through this change. Life will no longer be able to support this conflict. Others, like myself, will feel right at home and say "finally", acknowledging a return to what was known at the beginning of the beginning. I may even spend a lot of time in disbelief- having been a participant dreamer, not unaware the whole time, in the dream time that hit me like a ton of bricks over and over and over again. Just the promise that this portion of suffering is being let up off the mat makes my lungs expand a tiny bit more. And so it is.

Sanctuary: What is it?

2011-08-22T15:34:00.000-07:00

High Museum of Art in Atlanta (image thanks to Style Court)

I am thinking today, and on other days of late, about what makes for sanctuary. HGTV does a wonderful job plumbing the depths of our housing needs both structural and decorative, so I am not as much interested in the trappings of home as sanctuary when I am thinking about the word. And then, the spiritualists among us have long written, sung, meditated and prayed within their inner sanctuaries, so I am not sure if my interests are from this angle either. I may be thinking about our sense of individual sanctuary in all of our minutes within the day. The place that when cultivated can become our own unique touchstone, a combination of our inner world comingled with our outer world of home, work and family-- the intersection of emotion, spirit, cognitions with our outter existence-- sort of that sweet spot of groundedness that is so necessary as we navigate life in these times. I'll keep thinking about this and report what comes of it.

2011-06-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

I love this fabric from Art Gallery Fabrics in Miami FL. It is bohemian and art deco and so very expressive. My observant husband tells me that if my choice was something simple/plain or highly decorated/complex that I go for the latter most of the time. And you know, he is right on the money. Good that he knows me. I remain fascinated by how what we wear and what objects we own are an expressive language all their own that tell the tale of who we are and at what point we are in life.

Being Heard

2011-06-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

This art work is that of artist Shelly Klein from KStudio and is on display through June 2011 at Quirk Studio in Richmond, VA.
I can't help but notice that we humans are so dependent on being heard. We simply do not exist without the feedback of others. Art through the ages communicates our emotions, our hopes, aspirations and accomplishments. It tells the Story of Us. We have so much to express and absolutely need others to hear us. The flip side is that we have to cultivate extraordinary listening abilities so we know what is being shared. And isn't listening done by so much more than our ears? The art of the witness is practiced many ways. Ahhhhh soooo.

The Energy Avenger

2011-05-25T11:02:00.000-07:00

Only a very, very few people who know me would know that the image of the 'crystal brass knuckles' expressed in the photo above, with the fist adorned by a beautiful silver ring with crystals on top, should be tattooed on my chest or at very least, be worn by me daily on a t-shirt. I discovered a long time ago that the power of perception and insight fuelling action has a greater impact pound for cosmic square inch than any other form of worldly interaction or engagement. In other words, I'm a lover, not a fighter. When I found this beauty designed by Debra Baxter on The Jealous Curator (see earlier post) I laughed out loud.

Good Blog Name: The Jealous Curator

2011-05-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

I'm just doing a little plug for the Jealous Curator. I can't tell you how much outright jealousy I have had for all the magnificence that surrounds me relative to beauty in all its forms and those (both animate and inanimate) who can express it so wildly and loudly... so good for you, Jealous Curator, whoever you are. My sentiments EXACTLY.

2011-05-04T13:26:00.000-07:00

Wallpaper. It was popular when I was growing up. Most of it in my southern home was some form of subtle stripes and little flowers. Not too exciting really. I'm still not a huge fan of it, but the best wallpaper usage I have ever personally seen was in my husband's parent's home years ago. This paper was wild and it worked-- selected in the late sixties or so, it was heavily patterned with a lot of color. My mother-in-law had it on her ceilings in some of the rooms. Now that is BOLD.

Wall paper just seems like a BIG commitment somehow. I guess it is not in my mutable nature to live with something so certain.

I found this lovely photo at
JuJu Papers

Dimensions & Life

2011-04-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

Window at Anthropologie celebrates Earth Day

Recently I learned that scientists are now discovering that instead of a handful of dimensions, there are actually hundreds or thousands. It appears that the universe grows from within. The full expression of this concept is best expressed with mathematics and quantum physics the likes of which are lost on me as a whole. But I do like to consider the seen and unseen of life and my place in it. I love the idea that I am a portion of a thread in the great cushion of all life that supports me. Sort of relaxes me. You?

Mrs. Haymore's Butterfly Pin

2011-04-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Haymore gave me a department store cloisonne butterfly pin when I graduated high school in the spring of 1984. One of the wings is chipped now but I still have it. Something about that butterfly reminded me that I was free to move on out into life not yet an adult but no longer a child. In Native American tradition the butterfly can represent the mind and the ability to transform and change. I guess I (and Mrs. Haymore) intuitively understood this. Many transformations later, I am on the move again. Have I (or any of us, for that matter)ever stopped? Nope.
lovelysweetwilliam lepetitfoyer onelittlebirdstudio leavesandfeathers all courtesy of beautycomma, thank you

Getting Down in the Thread

2011-03-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

Think I will nosedive into the threads of life that weave into that which most interests me about living.

These silk and cotton Sonia Delauney textile designs 1152 & 186 are on display on loan to the Smithsonian in May 2011

2011-01-26T10:48:00.000-08:00

These are prop stylings from Barb Fritz

Now, that is a goooooood job: Finding and arranging objects for the sheer purpose of expressing a viewpoint. I get so inspired by creativity and the infinite ways people express themselves and share their perspectives with others. To me, this type of expression is the best part of a life well lived. I read recently: 'Develop a view point and then focus, focus, focus on it' in order to develop it further. I think this is what people do who are the most successful in being uniquely themselves-- cultivating a specific identity, regardless of the topic.

Go Thru that Door Girl

2011-01-18T13:42:00.000-08:00

There's a funky bathtub just to the right of that doorway, I just know it. And there is a window just high and fuzzy enough to let in good light and keep out peeping eyes. Yup. I can smell all the natural salt scrubs and soaps partially open and used laying around in there. Good space.

I'd stay in there for hours. I'd do my morning meditation in that bathroom.

Thanks Bloesem blog. I snagged this image from you because I loved it and your blog gives me inspiration on a regular basis.

I Gotta Bird Thing I Think

2011-01-12T14:14:00.000-08:00

Inaluxe Bird Giclees

What is going on here? A few weeks ago as I approached an intersection I saw a roar of birds whoosh up from a field, their wings sparkling black in the winter sky. My heart flew up with them and then landed with a bang back in my chest. I was reminded in that instant that even beauty can be painful.

You can look at these birds and other gorgeous giclees on Etsy.

Calling on ArtistGirl

2010-12-29T13:46:00.000-08:00

Ok, my neighbor is over there likely throwing some beautiful pots right now and my friend Kelly spent much of the holiday season fashioning some awesome glass beads and making shadow boxes. My friend Noelle is currently ensconced in what may be the most artfully done apartment I think I've ever seen, layered with so much color, texture and whimsy it makes my heart spin. And of course Tracy right about now is popping some great snaps of Nico or life in Baltimore through her very artsy lens. My friends are all highly creative. And so am I.

I've been rocking the analytical brain too long. Barking like a seal and balancing a ball on my nose for applause is a more like it. Motherhood has cast me back in the ocean of the only true language: beauty. Maybe 2011 will be the start of something good.
Hey- Check out these carpets by ETHOS at ABC Carpets

Polka Dot Leaf

2010-12-17T18:38:00.000-08:00

fine art image can be found at Eggcity Arts

Friendship on a Friday Night

2010-12-17T18:24:00.000-08:00

mini leather bracelet from kjoo

These bracelets remind me of 'friendship bracelets' of my youth. I was always amazed and not just a little envious of those friend-loaded souls (or maybe people with time on their hands) who wore a wrist-full at one time (and for months such that they became faded and frayed). I thought 'wow, what nice and committed friends they must be'. Well, I am 'nice and committed' too. Well, mostly nice and committed.

I snagged this image from SFgirlbythebay. With appreciation. I enjoy your blog. xo

Ferm Living: Some Fresh Stuff

2010-09-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some treats from ferm LIVING, I like the contemporary sensibility of these items. Clean and fresh.

Draw Unto Me: The Magnetics of Waiting

2010-08-31T13:58:00.000-07:00

So I am in this new energetic balancing act: Draw to, await arrival of, think of it and bring it to you, and any manner of feminine, horizontal, round and magnetic wiles. All of this is versus go forward, move ahead, plan for it, masculine, structural, cognitive and linear.

The image I provide here is one of openness, emptiness, no expectancy or associated word games or puzzles to figure out. Sorry, even this posting lacks a framework and I just don't care. Seems to be fine just as it is. At least I will spellcheck.

Can you imagine yourself sitting and waiting, for what, you don't know? It is NOT passive, don't get confused with that. I know some of you know EXACTLY what I am talking about. And for others, this is 100% lost on you. Yup.

The Goods of Slumber

2010-08-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

I saw this image and was reminded of the pile of books,magazines and Washington Post Style sections that adorn the top of my nightstand. Buddha is there too. So much can be known about a person when taking in some one's space visually, even in snippets of the whole. I am a Slumber Champion. That means I am all for setting up the conditions for good rest. For me, that is reading novels, non-fiction and the Style section lying in view of Buddha who rests so peacefully. My itty bitty son sometimes walks up to him and says "Hi Buddha". Ahhhh, good slumber buddies.

Charging up my Imagination: Time for a New Owlet, I Mean Outlet

2010-07-09T13:06:00.000-07:00

Handmade Owls by Lulu Detwiatkowski

The word 'gestate' is close to the mouth movement and ear catch of 'just sit'. I just realized that. As a former pusher, defined here as someone who pushes herself along life's road, I am now called to gestate. Or just sit. And you know what? That's all I feel like doing anyway. What are you being called to do?

My toddler son likes owls. He likes the visual 'O' in particular. He'll say 'hoo hoo hoo' when he sees the likeness, and pronounces the word with respect.
Lulu's TrailofInspiration blog is full of the good stuff of life and she took a snapshot of her own handmade owls that I have posted here. Give her a visit.

Now this is a corsage

2010-05-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

Laurie Cinotto You can find her and this corsage on Etsy.

Sweet Paul Magazine

2010-05-14T14:01:00.001-07:00

Sweet Paul Magazine is dedicated to 'Chasing the Sweet Things in Life'. Me too. You?

I Wanna Up the Fabulous

2010-05-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Carleton Varney's version of Tobacco Leaf

Check out Jennifer Boles's blog The Peak of Chic. Sometimes it just does me good to look at fabulous things and learn about the people who conjured them. It reminds me that my imagination is limitless and that those ramblings can often take form if just provided the room and focus.

From another angle we certainly do conjure that which we spend the most time focusing on and this is an often writ universal concept. I'm just saying.

Ghetto Bird

2010-03-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

Description
Ghetto Bird was made using a combination of printing, collage, & painting (using acrylic, ink, & oil), and is mounted on two 6"x6" (ready to hang) wood panels. No framing required.

This piece of art and many others can be found on Etsy by a company called Retro Whale.

I just like it.

Cakes-o-Love

2010-03-18T10:48:00.000-07:00

Over the last couple of years our nation has turned its attention to cupcakes. That's right, cupcakes. Those tasty treats of our youth baked usually by some body's mama and brought to the classroom have now taken on icon status with chic cupcake boutiques popping up all over the place.

Perhaps as a collective we are seeking to bring a small bite of sweetness into our daily lives. I like the idea, anyway.

My husband is a HUGE fan of Crumbs cupcakes. Check them out- they have bricks and mortar stores and you can order online.

Mother-in-Law Love

2010-02-22T12:16:00.000-08:00

I don't hear a lot of chat about how awesome a mother-in-law can be in your life. Well, I have now had some wonderful real life experiences that have provided me an excellent education on the subject.

This year my mother-in-law is having a 'bench-mark' birthday. We'll celebrate with a lovely luncheon with the family to include her beloved, shiny-haired grandson- her very first.

I'll also give her a treat from a potter whose items have meant a lot to me over the years. Rebecca Wood has very organic, naturally colorful forms that are built on Georgia red clay. I can't wait to give her the 12 inch platter in 'clover'.

Happy Birthday Roberta! XXOO.

Sunday Dinner Ritual

2009-05-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday evenings fast became the gateway to the business week for my husband and I. We realized that we rushed along during the day to get in errands and perhaps a social event just to round out the weekend. We also fell into a natural routine of preparing a meal for dinner that included fish over which we lingered a little longer and put a little more heart into than during the busy weekday meals. We found Wegmans to be a great place to sample a wide variety of seafood, in fact. What we also realized is that we needed a 'soft' transition into the week, one that emphasized the love of being together and enjoying a meal. My husband even spoke to the fact recently which is suprising as he is not prone to such pronouncements.

To add to the delight of your Sunday Dinner Ritual (and every day), select some lovely ceramics to add to the spirit of the meal. Check out these beautiful pieces at Hi+LoModern Ceramics, a Swedish ceramics company.
Hi+LoModern Ceramic

Mama is back in town, baby!

2009-04-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

Ah, after what seems an eternity in the blogosphere, I am back. And I am ready to turn out my thoughts about living in space with baby. My tiny man came on the scene in mid November, thus the hiatus. I must say, there is nothing like a babe to bring a family together.

This weekend we celebrated the holiday with our extended family at our home. Perhaps it is my age, but my focus is increasingly on our lives in our home and supporting and loving those around us.

Pink, French & Mother

2008-11-13T14:11:00.000-08:00

I love this settee and chair combo provided by ABC Carpets. I think about lounging and eating chocolates wearing marabou slippers and a peignoir. My mom is one of the only people I personally know who would look simply smashing in such attire, with chocolates en repose here. Do you know anyone who belongs on this furniture?

People sometimes look like their furniture in as much as they look like their pets,no?

Michelle O'Bama in Narciso: a good combo for a new perspective

2008-11-11T14:36:00.000-08:00

Narciso Rodriguez

Even though I searched high and low for the lines of that lovely black and red Narciso Rodriguez dress worn by Michelle the night Barack Obama was elected the President of the United States, I could not tell what she was really wearing. The fact is, even my HD flat screen could not bring it into full focus.The shape was obscured and the red panels oddly ran into the black. At first I groused a bit and thought that Michelle had done a disservice to the dress. Then, as I thought about it (and read about it), I came to a new conclusion.

How nice that she chose (or had help choosing)something that she wanted to wear AND threw on a black cardigan just in case she got chilly. Who cares if I could not see the lines that makes Narciso famous? After all, a new change has arrived that no Fashion Week can possibly match.

House Arrest

2008-10-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

House Arrest. This is what it is called when a baby wants to come too early and you have to lay around helping him stay put a little longer. As I have to avoid too many stairs, I now get to ponder my space from some very new angles, from my living room sofa. I've never spent so much time in here frankly. When I first moved in here, I was unsure of the living room, finding it a bit stark and too open and bright. I skittered by it going down to the family room or up to the bedrooms or over to the kitchen. I rounded through the living room only because I had to. It has come a long way but has further to go in the energetic sense of things. Certainly my presence will co-mingle with the vibes in the space and eventually I will make some changes that resonate more specifically with how I want my family to live in it. Work in progress.

A Poem: It says what I'm thinkin'

2008-09-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

Maternity Labor Gowns, Right On

2008-09-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

Now that I am going to have a baby, I am deeply interested in all things birthing. We are off to HypnoBirthing class soon and my Doula is on the ready with us. You can only imagine my pleasure at finding the perfect outfit for giving birth. Check out Bring Your Own Gown as they provide the hippest and most adorable gowns for that big day. They even have 'Push Socks' that say 'Hip Mama' on the bottom. Now that's more like it! Just a tip, Gwen Stefani recently had her second baby, Zuma. She bought the black and white zebra print gown. I hope it made her feel just a wee bit special.

Humans & Space Observed

2008-09-02T14:52:00.001-07:00

So we headed out to Jones Beach in NY this weekend. For the second year in a row, I noted that people sometimes prefer to set up their beach chairs on the edge of the parking lot, facing the lot. That's right, they come to the beach and sit on the edge of the lot which is a good walking and sight distance from the ocean. I find this informatively strange.

I wonder if the way we live in our homes is a bit like this phenomenon. Do we live among things and others that bring us as close to the lovely and divine as we can possibly stand to be at the moment? I suspect this is true. I for one, ache to be in the lap of love and comfort. Perhaps there have been times when I sat somewhere in a chair nearby, not sure if I was ready to allow as much beauty and support as I could muster.

How about you?

Old is New: shabby chic noted

2008-08-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

I have always liked the vibration of old things- the lives that have touched them seem to have been imprinted in some perceptible, if un-named way. My family has always traded in that which was pre-owned. Just our way, I guess. It was my delight to see the genre that emerged as Shabby Chic, when this was how my graduate school day's bungalow was furnished many years prior to the official name. I was in East Hampton this summer and got a chuckle to see a Shabby Chic boutique on the main drag of such a refined and upscale venue. I'd never pay those prices...

The painting here is titled 'Blue and Cream' done in the Shabby Chic style by Susan Brown

Soap Love

2008-08-10T11:54:00.001-07:00

I love me some soap. That is just the truth. My friends know that I am very considerate when it comes to my budget, but somehow I can spend the ducks on a bar of soap. Case in point, I have been hankering for a bar of soap from a french antiques shop in my parent's hometown that I keep forgetting to ask my mother to mail to me. My love affair with soap started when I was very small and realized that my grandmother's bathroom and, in deed, many older bathrooms had the nicest scent of clean, fresh soap used over years. Then, while in my twenties in Athens,GA, I stumbled upon homemade herbal soaps from local vendors. Sweet, herby, fresh and clean. I was then lead to international soaps always prefering creamy bars to glycerines. I could go on so I won't.

Check out Trunkt.org which is a directory of creative entrepreneurs. The photo of soap here is provided by Micky Byrd and can be purchased there.

Fertility Celebration

2008-07-30T11:15:00.001-07:00

This has been the year for flower fecundity at our home. Our orchid, which only had two lovely blossoms last year, graced us with seven. Our violet, full of lush, iridescent leaves that usually sends up five or six flowers a couple times each year sent a whopping thirty two! And our miniature orange tree that sent a delicious four oranges our way last year, is ripening about seventeen as I write this! We suppose that they are celebrating with us as we anticipate the arrival of our baby boy in December. All of nature is joyously partying right along with us!

To see more lovely prints like the one here, go to The Shiny Squirrel. This one is entitled Spring Cloud by Betsy Walton.

Put a Little Heart Behind Everything

2008-07-23T13:16:00.001-07:00

Oh, if only my mouth were on my heart and not on my head! I am clearly at my best when my heart is in charge. My head makes things overly complex every time. I love this image from Irana Douer titled Angel. You can see this and others at Thumbtack Press. Tons of great artists and prints from which to choose.

Organicity: Stop Tryin' so Hard

2008-07-15T13:51:00.001-07:00

I was reminded today to be less planful, not more. Just let things unfold. Truthfully, the best things in life seem to simply happen. You find this perspective in some of the great teachings, but somehow in our push-pull world this message gets lost.

I love Rebecca Wood pottery for this reason. It just does not try too hard.

Something Elegant in the Midst of Change

2008-07-09T14:03:00.001-07:00

Very recently a sweet friend of mine moved from one city in Georgia to another. She and her husband have two children under the age of five. What an undertaking, to say the least. I wondered how I could best support her during a serious transition so full of dust, boxes and emotion. So, I sent her a Boden clutch from the UK in a print that reminded me of her. I imagined her immediately tucking a few things in it and taking it out the door to dinner to say good bye to friends and feeling just a tiny bit special.

What can you do to lift your burden or that of another just a wee tiny bit?

When Hard Stuff is the Right Stuff

2008-07-03T05:28:00.000-07:00

I am reminded by yet another jaunt into America's heartland that doing the right thing, even when it is difficult can immediately clear up a congested circumstance for the better. In this case, it had to do with work. But I am aware that this thought applies to the deeply personal too.

Deciding to take responsibility for a less than lovely aspect of self in order to build healthy relationships and allow for the good to grow is not easy. It does have rewards though. In all cases it restores hope and opens a path to something new and possibly very rewarding.

Of course I'd be remiss if I did not emphasize the importance of providing yourself with a lot of love and kindness in the process. In the heartland case, for example, I engineered the difficult day to include plenty of rest and creature comfort which included a beautiful hotel location downtown right by a bricked-in historic area beside a glorious fountain that attracted lots of children who petted the horses waiting to give carriage rides.

Joan Jett Rocked

2008-06-08T14:01:00.001-07:00

We were sweating. The breeze finally kicked in and cooled us as we settled into our seats at the Fairfax Celebration concert that featured Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Ok, I was curious at best and not expecting anything killer. Well, unbelievably out bounded what appeared to be a raven haired teenager (at least from my view in the crowd) wearing a string bikini top, tight jeans and a Fender Stratocaster. And boy, did she ever ROCK. My husband and I glanced at each other with the same thought.

So, the moral of the story: do what you love, love what you do or some semblance of it. Because it shows. It really shows.

Teach your Children Well

2008-06-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

It came to me today that on at least two occasions in my early life, teachers misdirected me. In fact, I was simply smarter (twice, any way). In one case I was in the 10th grade and I referred to cultural factors on a social studies paper as 'disparate' which prompted a red ink mockery saying "This is not a word". I took it at face value and rarely wrote the word again fearing my misunderstanding. Only decades later did I reclaim my original knowledge.

In another instance, a college professor told me that I had made up a condition called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Tell that to the children who were born with the disease. At least by that point I was old enough to say 'no, I didn't' and to feel surprise at the remark.

So, along with our interest for our children to be respectful and agreeable with their education, weave in a bit of reasonable doubt sprinkled with confidence that teachers are learners too.

Pots, Blooms & BBQ

2008-05-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

Oh the joy of Spring. Today we visited a large nursery nearby. It was brimming with families who were combing the garden for all manner of pots, gardening tools and plants. It's great to see people pulling red-wagons around as they fill them with their finds. Kids get a great introduction to interacting with nature and parents get much needed stress relief by considering the blossoms so delicate and colorful. The place smelled heavenly to boot. We chuckled to see that a BBQ wagon was on their premises and people queued up to order brisket sandwiches and hot dogs.

Make sure you get some time to participate in a rite or two of Spring, a time of year of youthful renewal and play.

And if you get to Virginia, visit Merrifield Garden Center for all your gardening needs.

Lagom

2008-05-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

I just learned a new word for balance: Lagom. This is the Swedish term for 'not too much, not too little: just right'. I like it and I think home design falls well into the spirit of this word. I love it when I walk into a space that has a sense of lagom, that is, a sense that the right balance of color, texture, shape and emotion are all working together.

Hotel Room Relief

2008-05-08T05:39:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to our heartland I had to do a difficult task. I was pleasantly surprised that the hotel at which I was staying provided a 'just right' feel such that I felt at the end of each day I was safely and peacefully tucked in for the night. I don't experience this often at hotels, so I looked around to see what made it so.

In this case the surroundings were contemporary and the layout was a small living room suite and a platform bed area separated by a faux Japanese screen built into the dividing wall. The bathroom area had plenty of black granite looking counter space with a bevelled mirror hanging above. The cozy bed was well done with a feather comforter and neutral high quality duvet. Somehow the arrangement of the space along with its interiors struck a cord of comfort. Sometimes even ultra lux, expensive places do not do this.

Intentional Travel

2008-04-26T14:40:00.000-07:00

I was reminded by a friend yesterday of a trip we took to Paris to celebrate my birthday one year. It was not one of those classic hallmark birthdays, rather, it was an intentional marker that I determined would be the start to many new things to come. During the Paris visit I took in every detail with an understanding of why I had travelled and what the event signified. We had a great time.

And, yes, so many new things have since unfolded much to my pleasure and surprise. Where would you like to go to kick off another chapter in your life?

Townie Vibe

2008-04-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

I had suspected it all along and now that I live in a large suburban neighborhood in a metro mecca, I am convinced of it. I am a Townie at heart. If you are reading this and are a Townie too you are someone who loves hanging about in roughly five miles of real estate, not too much farther out from that. You gad about among stores, restaurants and parks all within either a short drive, or, sigh, a short walk. And everyone knows you or at least of you. Sigh again.

There is an art to being a Townie in the 'burbs. It involves searching out worthy local businesses and frequenting them as well as carving out habits in the nearest places to get to nature and relax. Establishing visits to the local Farmer's Market is another cornerstone in the Townie habit.

Are you a displaced geographical sort seeking to find home in a new way too?

Ask for What You Need

2008-04-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

Lesson learned. For the one thousandth time in my life. When a clear and peaceful voice inside tells you not once, not twice, but three times for you to do something: Do it. There I was at the start of a much needed massage when I heard the voice say "ask her if she does any energy work". I finally gently asked her if she did so and she, with a little surprise in her voice, said, "well, yes, I do". So, I received a terrific hour of great body care and got the balancing energy work for which I was so starved. We also had a very brief and reorienting dialogue about personal and universal themes.

When was the last time that voice inside of you gave you just what you needed?

Thank you Jill.
photos taken at Keystone Lodge&Resort in Summit County, Colorado

In the Spirit of Things

2008-04-11T04:41:00.000-07:00

Like so many at this time I am reading Eckhart Tolle's book a New Earth. In fact he and Oprah are conducting a 10 week class based on its premise through a series of Webcasts. One quote of many that I find to cross reference well with my content in this blog is that "in most ancient cultures, people believed that everything, even so-called inanimate objects, had an indwelling spirit, and in this respect they were closer to the truth than we are today".

I am reminded that our objects of daily living reflect us and the way we use them can support us. Just another layer of mindfulness to consider.

Casserole Love

2008-03-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

What do you do when a neighbor has a baby or breaks her leg? Well, in the first case, I made blueberry scones and a fruit bowl and in the other, a chicken casserole that my mother used to make on Sundays. Food truly conveys messages of support and comfort unlike anything else in times like these. What's funny is that it is an automatic response for me that seems triggered from deep within my genetic heritage.

In the case of the scones, the blueberries were colorful and fresh and the casserole was provided in a sunny yellow, ruffled baking dish. Check out fantastic cookware at Chef's Resource.

Can you remember a food item that was given to you during a an important life event that gave you that ounce of love that let you know that everything was OK?

I Like Paintings and I Like 'Em Big

2008-03-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C. has a terrific exhibit of what is described as Color Field paintings produced primarily between 1950 and 1975 by American painters on both coasts. These are paintings by Rothko, Motherwell and others which are large in size with healthy saturation of a few colors. I have always loved large paintings, especially if they are abstract. This style of painting provides me with a sense of freedom and vastness that has always appealed to me. I noticed in a couple of paintings that the color almost undulates as it interacts with my rods and cones. Now, how often can you say that?

Miles Redd: King of the Jam Cram

2008-03-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

photo taken at ABC Carpets and Home in NYC

I am one of those sorts who can feel cradled by layers of fabric, textile complexity, furnishings and images in small spaces. My creativity simply titters and sparkles with delight when confronted with visual stimulation to the max. Now, I don't want to live like this in my own home for fear that my nervous system might revolt.

But if you want to see what can be done with an enormous amount of decor in a small space check out Miles Redd.

"More Please, Sir"

2008-03-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

There is a painful scene in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens when Oliver, in the orphanage, holds his empty soup bowl out and asks for a refill. Oliver asks for what he wants and gets snarled at by a toothless keeper. That is the problem. He asked for something from someone who was unlikely to deliver.

While I have had more than my share of moments of lack, I continue to be impressed by the fecundity of that which seems to arrive when I spend dedicated time pondering what I want and imagining how I'll feel when I have it in my life.

What have you wanted in your life that has been made manifest?

So Much Livin' in the Kitchen

2008-03-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

I love this image of a kitchen. I think about cheese, olives, crusty bread and olive oil when I look at this space. I love funky, old spaces assembled gently in such a way as to become elevated to elegance. This image also makes me want to have a cup of coffee in a teacup and then truck right on off to the Marais in Paris for some flea market joy.

How does your kitchen speak to you?

Check out This is Glamorous, a gorgeous blog on all that is simply fabulous @ http://citified.blogspot.com

Small stuff: Big impact

2008-03-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

Great chairs that are also bent objects

I told my husband recently about one summer I spent making farm animals out of notebook paper. Actually I think I made a barn and fencing for the whole lot. I can remember vividly that the paper twisting came out of sheer, unstructured summer boredom while visiting a family member. I also remember that within minutes I became fascinated with the whole endeavor and transported to another world full of tiny, white paper animals.

So, don't dismiss the mundane and tiny of life. Whole worlds can open up with the most rudimentary of objects and materials. If you don't believe me, check out the artist whose blog is entitled Bent Objects at http://bentobjects.blogspot.com. This guy has cornered the market and whoa, what an impact.

Lending and Traveling

2008-03-07T12:53:00.000-08:00

It is a good thing to have friends in the know and on the scope out for good stuff. That is to say, good stuff that is loaded with good living.

First up, Kiva.org is only one of a number of micro-loan organizations that let you play the lender to businesses of your choice. The word on the street is that people get hooked on giving in this manner because it is rewarding to support others who are working to express themselves in the world through business. As my friend recently pointed out, your money could grow if invested in your own IRA or mutual fund but the growth of positive humanity far outweighs the personal financial growth of money in the bank. Whole families get involved as a way to serve one another at the grassroots all around the world.

And if you decide to go meet some of the folks your monies supported to grow their businesses, be sure to check out www.tombinh.com. Tom Binh in Seattle makes gear that is current to modern travel needs. Check out the site for laptop bags, shoulder bags, carry-ons and more. The bags are made in Seattle too. A friend of mine has purchased a Bihn bag and is taking it for a spin in Japan very soon. He reports that it has good design appeal and is well constructed.

Keep in mind that any intention to support the way we live put into action creates a literal chain reaction of that which is only Good.

Other People's Stuff

2008-03-04T15:46:00.000-08:00

Ever noticed that we love to rummage through other people's stuff? There is an entire sub-culture dedicated to flea markets, swap meets, yard sales and consignments. Some families, like my own, have family members who would never show up to a family get together without the ubiquitous bag of items with the preface "I can't or don't want to wear these anymore, so you can have it". There are all kinds of reasons humans exchange stuff. Some of the newest and hippest designers take pleasure in re-fashioning found items or reconstructing used clothing.

Whatever the reason or the intent, it is simply good for us and good for the planet to get in the habit of 'moving it on' and sharing things we don't want with others.

March Winds: A breath of fresh air

2008-03-01T08:44:00.000-08:00

The wind is blowing wildly today. Over the years, I have learned that while they blow our energy systems get a handy tousle, not unlike vigorously fluffing a pillow to arrange the contents for perfect comfort. For some the winds can be a bit disturbing or a little disorienting. All the same, when the winds settle, so does the energy. The air usually smells and feels fresh and sometimes, if we pay attention, we have new awarenesses or alternative perspectives on life themes. Gotta love how Mother Nature lends a helping hand.

End of Winter Change-o-Scenery

2008-03-01T08:21:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of Linda K. Long, caspari, inc. in Charlottesville, Virginia

Every year my family meets in Charlottesville, Virginia for a weekend visit that combines meals full of conversation and merriment and a chance to shop around this special town that is home to the University of Virginia. My Dad takes advantage of the bounty of used book stores, my sister and her fiancee cozied up in a local bar for an afternoon brew and my husband drifted into a coffee house for what he called the best cup of coffee ever. My Mom and I took advantage of end of season prices on haute boutique wear. Indeed, Mom scored a Parisian wool coat for a fraction of its original price at Chloe.

My family stumbled onto this gem of a meeting place due to proximity but what we have found is a way to be together and enjoy a change of scenery without too much effort or expense.

Sometimes Silly is Best

2008-02-26T16:56:00.000-08:00

I need to carry some type of 'forget-me-not'. I need something to remind me to be way less serious. So much happens that constantly pulls us into the gravity of living and before you know it: grouchy, burdened and overwhelmed become states of being for hours if not days on end. How unpleasant and such a waste if unending,no?

Even the Radio DJ Talks about It

2008-02-19T16:53:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of Kosmos Designs&Ideas in Alexandria, VA

On the way to work today I was struck by the conversation that ensued on the Jack Diamond Morning Show. Jack talked about the importance of avoiding clutter in your home and office. He described how clutter can simply "make you feel bad, irritated and frustrated" which you are likely to carry into your day without being aware of the cause. His cronies chimed in with their own examples of how lack of organization and clutter impacts their lives and how they remedy the situation.

What is this world coming to? Harmony, apparently.

Love is in the Air

2008-02-14T12:49:00.000-08:00

Objects as Touchstones

2008-02-13T09:16:00.000-08:00

In the book You've Got to Read This Book by Jack Canfield and Gay Hendricks, noted daily syndicated talk show host John St. Augustine mentions the fact that his father had an extensive library in the front hallway of their home when he was growing up. He described that on his way out the door each work day, his father stopped at the library and chose a book for the day to take out into the world with him.

It struck me that this was an excellent example of someone who understood on some level that objects, like a book, can be used on a daily basis as a touchstone of sorts to remind us of who we are and what we intend as we step out of our homes.

My touchstones shift on a regular basis, I've noticed. What are yours?

House Cleaning: Not just for the tidy or obsessed

2008-02-09T08:24:00.000-08:00

Every Saturday morning my husband and I can be found doing household cleaning. Much to my pleasure, I met a partner who appreciates that feeling good through the work week is in part due to the comfort our cared-for home provides on a daily basis.

What he may not know is that in the act of cleaning, the energy of the space is balanced and reset from week to week which assists the home to provide a supportive container and launching pad for all our endeavors in the coming week.

Does this idea make you shift your opinion of cleaning house?

If It Offends Thee, Move It

2008-02-03T10:41:00.000-08:00

My right shoulder routinely banged into a crinkly sounding bag full of my beloved's belts hanging in our closet. The bag hung right at ear level so I got full richocheting aural impact right off the door. It took a while to identify the irritant and make a change which now, if brushed against at all, only gives a slight whoosh with no pitch whatsoever. Problem solved.

Moral of the story: Life's comforts really are found in the small stuff. If something is in the way, say a piece of decor or furniture, move it.

On a Stool in a Pea Patch

2008-01-30T15:09:00.000-08:00

To this day I am a person who likes to get immersed in my surroundings, somewhat lost in space and time while involved in activities. The same little girl who sat in the pea patch efficiently picking peas in Dry Fork, admiring the morning glories with dew on their delicate and colorful leaves, is the same woman who loves a business day totally immersed in the moment while working at meaningful endeavors.

What can you remember about yourself as a child that still comes shining through about you in your adult life?

Jewelry by Gina Tackett

2008-01-23T15:04:00.000-08:00

(photos courtesy of Gina Tackett taken by dogfaceboy)

I had a chance a couple years ago to hang out in Baltimore and soak up the rampant art scene in that locale. The quality and accessibility of fine artists abound in this rough-funky burg. One of the artists I met was jewelry designer Gina Tackett. Take a look at her work below.

In her own words: "I guess I am a sculptural jeweler---sticks and stones are my latest passion. I have some photos on flickr.com under dogfaceboy. She is my photographer, and you can see some of my current work there. I work in Sterling Silver, Gold and unusual alloys of palladium and platinum."

Gina Tackett can be reached by e-mail at ginatackett@gmail.com or phone 410-235-7784

Grace Puts Shoes in the Oven

2008-01-21T06:55:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of ABC Carpets & Home

Domino magazine this month has an ad of a lovely woman named 'Grace' who loves shopping so much that she turned her tiny kitchen into a closet, thus removing the ability to do any cooking. After all, Grace loves fashion more than food. I suppose, since as she says she lives in a large city, she can always get takeout. So she won't starve.

This ad reminded me that the lovely Grace, while being extremely beautiful and well-heeled will be missing one of life's pleasures. Tuning in to your and your family's need for sustenance and nutrition and the art of cooking coupled with the deliciousness of eating and sharing food are fundamentals of life. Not to wax too wacky on the subject, it just struck me as supporting the usual life imbalance that we all can experience.

Object Conversation

2008-01-15T15:37:00.000-08:00

Object conversation is the concept that we put objects in relationship to one another and they 'talk' to each other and to us. That is, They are in some sort of relationship that provides a context or a story within their space about which we consciously or unconsciously have some level of awareness. Some people create object conversation purposefully, others are more organic and it simply occurs.

Take a look around your house. What are the objects saying?

From One Home to the Next

2008-01-13T13:45:00.000-08:00

A living room in a Paris apartment

In a recent conversation with my mother-in-law I was able to hear about the joy and recognition of the important life change that comes when it is time to select a new home for a new life stage. In her case, she and her husband are selling the neighborhood family homestead and opting for a chic condo overlooking trees and water. This move gives them ample fodder for choosing what goes and what stays as well as what is newly desired or needed. This method of paying homage to an ever changing life is invigorating and challenging.

Even though the actions it takes to make these life changes seems almost perfunctory and matter of fact, it may be important to perceive a bit of the sacred in such a change time.

What's the Focal Point?

2008-01-10T15:20:00.000-08:00

Spaces in our homes often center or focus around design themes of some sort. Sometimes the focus is accidental and sometimes over-engineered. But when it is 'just right', the focal point is a referencing agent that centers the senses and stimulates internal responses that make people feel 'at home'.

The same thing goes for our lives. What is your focal point?

Spatial Relationships

2008-01-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

This month's Washington Woman Magazine kindly published one of my articles that focuses on how we use home design to demonstrate our accomplishments in life, among other aspects to living well in the home. Check it out at www.WashingtonWoman.com

Here is an exerpt:

Increasingly the American public is tuning into the ways we can harness our homes to support and improve the way in which we feel and live. Over the last twenty years methodologies for architecture, interior design, redo and organizing have aggressively expanded to incorporate Green applications, Feng-Shui and a myriad of other perspectives. The psychological component of living in space has been a part of home design from the beginning. But these days it is taking on a more significant role as people search for ways to care for themselves and their families. These methods are more human spirit centered and less reliant on products or prescriptions.

2007 Comes to a Close

2007-12-31T09:50:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of Pingu 1963

New Year's Eve. Humans have marked time across the ages in many ways. These days we commonly use a calandar and clock to tick by our schedules and events. Today offers an opportunity to take a broadview of where we were for the last 12 months in our lives and to ponder the next year. For myself, I am closing out a year of dramatic life changes which required enormous fortitude and was filled with rare magnificent good fortune.

Here's to certainty of self and the power of love. Happy New Year.

An Army for Oranges

2007-12-31T09:09:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Aoife City womanchile's photos

Just a little food for thought.

A Holiday Story

2007-12-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of ABC Carpets in New York City

We were in a large, well known department store yesterday in which I rarely find myself. I usually can't take the lighting, crush and lackluster of so-so garb or the nerve-shot crowds. But there we were. It was the weekend following Christmas so the place was literally torn apart and strewn with all the brand names. It was getting late when I overheard an oddly inspirational chat between two clerks.

One exclaimed to the other that she had so many sections of clothes to re-set that she asked her husband to come in to help her and he agreed only if she agreed to have dinner out afterwards. When I asked for her assistance with a blouse on a mannequin and was shy about asking her to help me, she told me that it was no problem. In fact she said she loved her job. She said she always vows to never "do retail again" after every holiday but she said she just can't help herself.

Somewhere in this exchange is the understanding that sometimes the help of another is absolutely necessary and that although work can be completely exhausting, there is something to treasure and for which to have deep gratitude.

Who in your life is ready when you need them? And what do you love about your work, whatever that is?

A Friend at the Heart of an Angel

2007-12-13T15:11:00.000-08:00

A little while ago I was talking to a dear friend. As we were winding up our heartfelt dialogue, I had a beautiful image come to mind. It was a huge white angel floating in clouds and in the heart-center of the angel, my friend and I were talking. It was almost as if we were in a private crystalline chat-room in which the most clear and true words were being exchanged. What a gift and a miracle of life to have this kind of experience with another human being.

Can you recall finding yourself transported by an exchange with another?

Office Hoo-doo

2007-12-11T17:56:00.000-08:00

So many of us roll into an office every morning surrounded by other people and with an enormous amount of tasks to be accomplished in the day. We sit dutifully in our chairs, gazing a emails and various documents that speed into our hands awaiting some type of action.

I have found that having a couple of centering objects nearby, usually within easy sightlines offers a bit of cushion and grounding as the hours fly by and the demands arrive. For a while a tiny, plush hippo reminded me to be silly and at ease. Currently I have a small prayer mounted discretely nearby that reminds me of my Divine Self which helps me limit a sense of self importance and over-attachment to things out of my control. It seems I like to change the objects over time as a reflection of some aspect needing added support.

What do you have in easy sight at work that supports your sense of self?

Change the Angle

2007-12-09T15:43:00.000-08:00

The other day my sister called with something that had upset her. When I heard what it was that bothered her about a recent interaction it seemed that the best approach would be to 're-set' or 'do-over' her approach. Not unlike taking your furniture and shifting it into a more comfortable arrangement for a better feel, a 'do-over' lets us take another angle in a moment that can have immediate results with lasting implications.

I have been impressed with how making a quick conscious decision to take another perspective, emotionally or psychologically, can change the moment and the outcome. I have learned energetic acrobatics that come in very handy in creating more life ease. Hurrah!

Graceful living

2007-12-01T09:57:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of J Brown & CO

Humans have an ineffable spirit when it comes to softening the harsh edges of life. You see this everywhere. Every culture, it seems, has a way of using shape, color and texture to infuse its daily objects with appeal. South American cultures, for example have perfected the use of texture and color to convey the story of object usage in terms of origination. Blankets and clothing tell stories that began hundreds of years ago. The Japanese culture is magnificent with form and decor relative to the most mundane daily object as exemplified by all the brilliant, inexpensive doo-dads of daily living.

It seems that humans are imbued with a sense of grace that extends in every aspect of life. We love giving and receiving things of beauty as if to convey an understanding that while various life events and experiences occur as a part of being alive, we can balance the challenges with creativity and sweetness.

J Brown & CO offers decor for 'a graceful way of living' and can be visited at their store in Alexandria, VA.

Love infusion

2007-11-27T17:41:00.000-08:00

The energy infused in the objects that surround us is at constant interplay with our own energy being. That said, the clothing and jewelry we wear also carries and conveys energetic aspects that can be thoughtfully chosen each day to effect a desired interaction. This language is a fancy way of saying what has been said many times over about the effect of the interview suit, power tie, or the impact of a fabulous little black dress, for example. In reality, each day our clothing can be chosen in view of what is to be accomplished or experienced that day. People naturally take part in this dynamic as it is an aspect of humanity to interact at this level.

All of this said, I know of a jewelry designer whose own 'back story' is lovingly woven into every design she creates. Stephanie Lovi of Lovi Love creates some love-laden jewelry that is at once contemporary and vintage in many cases. There is something wonderful about wearing her jewelry. Her own conscious awareness of infusing love for herself and all of life into her work produces tangible objects that can be worn out into the world to inspire, protect and support us.

Check Lovi Love out at www.lovilove.com

Objects of Evidence

2007-11-16T04:58:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Kosmos Designs & Ideas

Have you noticed the proliferation of spiritually oriented décor objects on the market in the last twenty years? Buddhas are everywhere. Angels of all kinds line shelves. Candles are in containers printed with prayers, wishes, hopes and dreams. I have a number of these types of items sprinkled around our home. In fact, my Buddha has an orange plastic monkey sitting in its lap and is wearing a dragonfly necklace. The former was previously perched on the cocktail I was sipping in a Washington DC restaurant when my husband asked me to marry him. The latter was a gift from a friend that was brought to me from Bermuda. What is going on?

I think we make our little alters that provide us feedback about what is important in our lives. These objects provide a lantern on the path of our lives reminding us of the deep things about being in the human form. At this time in our humanity we are as a race collectively holding a more expanded consciousness that is unlike any prior time on earth.

What do you have in your home that signifies the best and most of who you are?

For some great objects of inspired decor check out Kosmos Designs & Ideas in Old Town Alexandria, VA or on the web at www.kosmosdi.com.

Deep Design

2007-11-12T14:14:00.000-08:00

On a recent jaunt to Old Town Alexandria, Virginia I happened into Chatree’s. This is an antiques and restoration business on King Street in the mid-town area. When I asked Chatree how he came about the beautiful things in his shop, anticipating that he roves the countryside for them, he said that they simply come to him. He has every manor of furniture, lighting, wall décor, porcelain, and antique clothing.

Chatree told me that he not only restores antique furniture but he could repair porcelain and paintings with a very detailed hand and eye. He said “I can do these things right down to their molecular level”. With my ‘energetic living’ perspective this phrase captured my attention. We talked more specifically about American and European design education as it compared to his education in Thailand. What he described is that he learned every aspect of object relationship from concept, drafting and building, to art, human anatomy and ergonomics. He learned about the effect of objects in the spaces and lives they inhabit. He suggested that his learning involved every layer of object experience including the product and its proper placement in the customer’s life. The conversation in and of itself was a thing of beauty given its level of awareness and expression.

What do you have in your home that has design value on so many levels that it is a joy with which to live? It’s very likely that you have something big or small. If not, Chatree probably has something for you. Check out Chatree's at www.chatrees.com

Hair Mood

2007-10-28T08:43:00.000-07:00

(Vase photo compliments of Random Harvest in Alexandria, Virginia)

Do you recall reading or seeing the movie Like Water for Chocolate? This is a lush tale written by Mexican novelist Laura Esquival that reveals the power of emotion when cooking. Food takes on the character of the cook right down to the thoughts and emotions being experienced. It is worth a read.

I had just such a remembrance recently when I was doing my own hair for a special event. My cell phone rang and I saw who was calling. Intuitively I knew not to pick up the phone at that very moment. For at the time I was in crucial mid scrunch. No kidding, if you have fine hair you will know of what I speak. Had I taken the call and heard what I knew I would hear, I would have made a mess of my hair.

I am reminded to thoughtfully expose myself, when it is in my control, to possibly stressful conditions when I am not in the middle of doing something special for myself or others.

To see more mood setting antiquities, check out Random Harvest at www.randomharvesthome.com

Stars and Beetles: The Nature of God

2007-10-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

Beautiful wall decor photo compliments of Chatree's in Alexandria, VA

Most weeks I check out Rob Brezney’s Free Will Astrology. He is one of the most creatively articulate astrologers and universe ponderers of his kind (as best as I can tell). More than anything I am always moved visually by the images he posts with his crafty, literate interpretations of how I should best spend my week. I go there for some sight-food as well as consideration-candy.

This week it was suggested that I tarry over what mark I make here on earth. It does not refer to my oft flogged carbon footprint but rather what is the indication that ‘Gemgrl wuz here’. Thanks to some kind and quirky personality features and more than a bit of work in the soul embodiment arena I am just now beginning to know.

It seems that God, according to British geneticist J. B. S. Haldane had a definite interest in beetles as they make up 20% of all animals and stars given that there are 1 trillion stars per person on the planet. That’s awesome information.

What is your mark?

Check out Rob Brezney and his Free Will Astrology @ www.freewillastrology.com
To visit Chatree's go to the website at www.chatrees.com.

Partying in the Personal

2007-10-16T17:11:00.001-07:00

At a recent party with family and friends I took sheer pleasure in layering the experience. What I mean is that just like a yummy towering confection, say a sweet English Raspberry Triffle, I added delightfully personal and especially selected elements to welcome each person to our table. The best part of all is that I had a wonderful time holding each person in mind as I made my selections. Some of the layers were for the common group and some were for individuals. I was able to play with the décor of the space as it was reflected in the wrapping paper and bows as well as the menu place cards. The gifting and welcoming feel was an apparent hit given the many dear comments I received during and after the event.

Whether it’s a party or a meal during the week, what layers can you build in that tell each person that they are loved and cherished?

What about Light and Sound?

2007-10-14T16:38:00.001-07:00

The human nervous system is very sensitive to external stimulation. I should know. I am one of those types who will immediately hit the dimmer switch of overhead lighting as my college roommate will tell you. Too much overhead lighting gives me a sterile almost clinical sensation as if I should hop up on an exam table at any moment. My new husband can attest to my lighting proclivities. He likes to light up suddenly whereas I like to light up gently.

Sound operates in much the same way. As a kid I always noticed that adults, especially older adults, seemed to play the radio much lower than my harsh young ears preferred. I just noticed the other day driving home that now I too drop the volume to a soft comfort zone. My life is so rich and full of light and sound and a myriad of other stimulants that I have to delicately balance various parts of my nervous system across them at any one time.

If you have not already done so, consider paying a little attention to your nervous system’s daily exposures. Are you tolerating something that you can reduce or eliminate and gain some of that energy back with which you were only coping?

Harnessing People Power

2007-10-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

I have become increasingly sensitive to the effects others have on me. I've noticed that I can be exhilarated by time spent with one person and drained by time with another. In the same way, certain people have a way of bringing peace and centeredness to a home. I recently had an important life event in which I had many people in my home at once. One person in particular provided that anchoring, quiet calm that was much needed for the occasion. Her poise and posture and softly spoken directions and utterance of affinity were the perfect elixir for spatial and emotional groundedness.

I am reminded to be thoughtful about with whom I spend time and where others are permitted in my space and in my life. Think about your life and loved ones. Do they support who you are by their presence? Be thankful if they do and consider your options if they don't.

Have Pottery Will Travel

2007-10-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

I have given away more things than I have kept. This is true. I am not a keeper of things. At least not up until this point in my life. I’ve done a fair bit of moving about the country and prefer not to haul things around. That said, I have carried my four pieces of Rebecca Wood pottery around with me from place to place since my early adult days in Athens, GA. Her studio was (and remains) in my old Little Oconee neighborhood. The neighborhood was a funky blend of students and long time residents with homes in various stages of repair.

I use the pottery on a weekly basis as an augment to my daily dishware. I put special things on it as well as mundane things that I want to make special. When I touch or see them I get the feeling that some part of me is made manifest for that meal. I am communicating my artfulness and organic nature. The designs are simple and colorful. The pottery is made of Georgia red clay by one of last remaining hand formed pottery studios in the United States.

To visit Rebecca Wood Pottery go to www.rwoodstudio.com and tell them I said hello.

Suburban Sanctuary: It is what you make it

2007-09-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

So much can be said for those islands of refuge known as inner city gardens. One of the most appealing I have ever seen is le Jardin des Plantes in Paris. It has an almost pre-historic feeling to it and the garden gives a sense of peace and tranquility within its tree and plant lined walkways. Very far away from Paris, I have recently moved to a suburban neighborhood. While being someone who appreciates antiquity and organicity I find my new ‘hood clipped, efficient but overall visually pleasing. I have discovered my own suburban retreat about midway around the block. While it does not begin to approach the scale and depth of Paris gardens, it does offer a breather from the sidewalks and houses all around. I even look forward to stepping into the shady path, taking a breath and feeling closed over as I drop into the woods for what is literally five minutes of walking pleasure.

Where is your mini-retreat from the urban/suburban scenery?

Go to www.aviewoncities.com/paris to see Jardin des Plantes

Butterfly Limoges: A lifetime object

2007-09-19T04:24:00.000-07:00

Now I use my lovely Crummels butterfly Limoges as a pill and vitamin carrier when needed. But when I was a child I used the tiny vessel to safely house the British pounds and other coins my father brought me from his travels. I remember taking it out of my sock drawer every so often and carefully opening the top to reveal the money. I can recall a fascination with the places the money and Limoges represented and more personally, I imagined my father and what he was doing in those places. Some things never change. I am still fascinated with objects from other countries and I am still wondering what my father was doing.

What object have you had for many years and how has its function changed in your life? Why do you still have it?

Feeding the Appetite

2007-09-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

I think by now we all get how important it is to eat a balanced and nutritious diet. There are tons of books on the subject and an enormous array of cooking shows on TV. Have you noticed how absolutely gorgeous the dishes are in the photos and at the end of the shows? The food designers set the visual scene for the reader or audience by selecting the right shape, texture and color of serving dish and placing it on the just perfect table top adorned with a glass of wine or some other appealing item. A simple heirloom tomato sliced neatly on a beautifully glazed pottery square and drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil is enough to inspire poetry.

In the same vein, think about offering yourself and your family this layer of richness. Collect visually pleasing serving dishes and eat-ware. This type of collection can begin at Goodwill and end at Prada. Anyone can take part in feasting to the fullest and creating an atmosphere of plenty which goes a long way toward creating satiation so necessary in a healthy diet.

Livin' in the Skin

2007-09-09T06:01:00.001-07:00

A very good friend of mine lifted the phrase ‘livin’ in the skin’ from a former acquaintance of ours many years ago. Over the years she would toss this phrase out after explaining some complex living circumstance that befell someone she knew. Eventually I picked up the colorful expression.

‘Livin’ in the skin’ suggests some acceptance that what we go through in life is simply a part of bringing more soul into the body in our lifetime. It gives a solemn and artful nod to that which occurs that we at once withstand and which expands us all in the same moment.

A Contemporary Painting Tale

2007-09-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

Cundy’s Painting

The painting of Cundy by American sculptor and painter Stan Mullins is one of my most beloved objects. The funny thing about this painting is that I am the self-appointed steward of the painting. My desire is to give it to one of Cundy’s children when they are of age and would like to have it. The painting itself is not for the feint of heart. It is a somewhat distorted and harsh portrait of a woman, who in real life is tender and soft prone only, when called for, to a sharp angle or two. I have moved it from place to place giving it prominence in many small spaces in which it tended to suck up a lot of air. Guests not used to this type of display often remarked some more kindly than others.

I love it because it reminds me of my young adult years in Georgia. It also reminds me of that aspect of my own beauty that is less than sunny. It is as if I live comfortably with an uncomfortable image in order to demonstrate my own acceptance for myself. The painting also comes with a fantastic story of ‘boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy and girl marry others and then finally, divorces all around, boy and girl marry each other’ coupled with ‘the painting that would not stay away’. That’s right. The painting made the circuit until it landed in my safe hands. Ahhh, I love art.
To see more of Stan Mullins' work go to www.stanmullins.com

Evocative Objects

2007-08-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

"We think with the objects we love; we love the objects we think with" says Sherry Turkle, author of Evocative Objects. She writes about the way in which objects inform our daily lives in this series of essays written by scientists, humanists, artists, and designers. "These essays reveal objects as emotional and intellectual companions that anchor memory, sustain relationships, and provoke new ideas." The book, published August 2007 by MITpress was written by Turkle who is Abby Rockefeller Mauze Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology at MIT and Founder and Director of the MIT initiative on Technology and Self. A release from the MIT Press says that she "pairs each autobiographical essay with a text from philosophy, history, literature or theory, creating juxtaposition as once playful and profound."

Check out this blog for more info on the book and other topics, http://www.newscientist.com/blog/shortsharpscience/2007/05/evocative-objects.html

Congestion Reflection

2007-08-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

Congestion Reflection

Don’t let stuff pile up. Don’t do it. Keeping the corners, attics, closets and under-bed areas free of unattended stuff is a key to keeping the flow of life energy moving through your home successfully. The home is a literal reflection of the human psyche. Wellbeing requires the same type of diligence in the emotional and psychological realm. From your home’s perspective, know what you have and why you have it in a general sense. If you identify an area of unkempt flotsam, spend a little time thinking about it and then take action to make an improvement. Pay attention, it is very likely that the action you take will bring to consciousness some aspect of yourself that has been somewhat congested and needing the light of day to improve.

Collection Connection

2007-08-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Chandelier collection at ABC Carpets in NYC

Collection Connection

Lately I have run into several people who are avid collectors. One person has an amazing collection of Japanese furniture and décor and yet another has a magnificent array of clocks. I admire personal collections because they give me a birds-eye-view of a fairly good sampling of objects in a genre in which I am usually not too familiar. But if I consider it from another angle, what does a ‘collection’ mean to the collector? What does it represent?

I notice in some cases the collection is a story line of where someone has traveled and where, in some part, their consciousness was during their travels. Objects hold information about culture and have a temporal language that is just as good as a diary entry. Other collectors who choose to focus on one type of object, clocks, for example, may indeed be fulfilling a neurological ‘sweet tooth’ of sorts to experience the shape, sound, texture—overall experience of an object repeatedly in various forms. This type of collecting has a sensation of intensity associated with it that would seem to reflect some aspect of the person doing the collecting.

Etruscan Chariot: An emblem of identity

2007-08-21T17:28:00.001-07:00

City Scape* by James Mathis. Oil. 1964 courtesy of the National Archives

Spoleto, Italy wants its Etruscan Chariot back. J.P. Morgan bought it many years ago and it has lived in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for years. Now the Italian city wants it returned. The descendants of the Etruscans want the opportunity to reclaim an object that reflects their heritage. There is a debate as to whether it must be lawfully returned because it was purchased prior to the procedures in place that address the trade and sale of antiquities. You can read about this subject on National Public Radio's website @ www.npr.com. The article is dated 8/21/07.

This debate is a great reminder of the power we give objects to represent ourselves. It is no less important in our personal lives. Being conscious to the power of objects to reflect an impression of who we are can add depth and dimension to a life well observed. Objects are language without national barriers. They convey essential facts about how we live and the meaning we attribute to living.

Music Power

2007-08-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

My 86 year old grandmother literally blares devotional music of all kinds every morning. She isn't deaf. She turns it way up and sends it all over her house because she has caught on the to the power of music to reset the vibrations in her household and in herself. She uses music to set the tone for her day. Literally. Sometimes I call her and have to wait while she dashes to her stereo to turn down the volume.

I love this about her. I love it that she caught on a long time ago what a little home engineering can do to set things in motion for a sense of peace and well being. She is a natural, actually. As I think we all are. She taught me by example that a clean, uncluttered home, in which objects have their place is one method for supporting a sense of comfort and connection.

What do you do to support a sense of heath and peace in your home?

Mekom Hanekhama

2007-08-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

photo taken at ABC Carpets in NYC

Safe places are a necessity across life. Stop and think a moment about where yours is found. Hopefully you have a place established somewhere. At a conference today on death and dying I was introduced to the Hebrew term 'mekom hanekhama' which refers to creating safe places. In this case it was suggested that we need a place in our home that is a space to reflect, pray and process our emotions and thoughts. Sometimes this space is an entire room or area. Sometimes it is a chair or floorspace. Let the people who live in your home know the purpose of the location.

To establish a safe space consider including:

A comfortable chair or sofa
Candles
Objects with meaning that comfort you
A journal
Photos of loved ones

A great resource for information on grief can be found at The American Academy of Bereavement, www.bereavementacademy.org