Commuter's Journal

Flying hearts

2011-09-05T09:24:00.003-04:00

It's been far too long since I posted. Heck, it's been far too long since I let the artist out to play. Too much work, too many family responsibilities, too much pantsing. So I've been sneaking behind the back of my daily life and putting together a small project. Here it is in process.

Gaman

2011-03-18T15:38:00.001-04:00

In Japanese the word "gaman" means to tolerate things with perseverance and dignity. Japanese-American actor George Takei discussed this when he was on CNN this week. "Today," he said, "we are all Japanese." My heart goes out to those who are enduring so much. Please give what you can. Gaman.

Gone but not lost

2011-02-05T12:44:00.005-05:00

Today, I stumbled across a photographer who, much like my beloved Vincent Van Gogh, had brilliant work that was never recognized in her lifetime. Her name was Vivian Maier and she was a nanny in Chicago for much of her 83 years.

Her photographs were discovered by a young history buff named John Maloof who bought a box of her negatives at an auction. John was looking for photos of an old Chicago neighborhood for a book he was working on. What he found astonished him. Hundreds and hundreds of her amazing snapshots taken on Chicago city streets and around the world during her many travels alone.

An acutely private person, most of Vivian's work went unseen -- even by her. Among her belongings were hundreds of rolls of undeveloped film. In a modern sort of Dickensian twist the storage locker company that held her stuff put it up for auction when Vivian could no longer pay the rental fees. John bought these as well and has dedicated much of his time to developing, scanning and archiving her amazing work.

If you're lucky enough to be in Chicago or expect to visit, the very first exhibition of her work is going on right now at the Chicago Cultural Center through April 3. There is also a book of her work due out in the fall and a documentary project. I'm totally blown away by her photographs. What do you think?

White out

2011-01-30T09:38:00.002-05:00

It has been snowing here in the Northeast. A lot. The latest storm left in excess of 14 inches on top of the 3+ feet already on the ground. I lived in the snowbelt in upstate New York during two of their snowiest winters back in my youth but this has it equaled, if not beat. We've been averaging two snowfalls a week since late December and we're not out of it yet. There's another storm coming midweek and I'm praying it's just snow, not ice as predicted.

Meanwhile, all of this white is beautiful, if a bit overwhelming. We're running out of places to put the snow. This is from last week's storm. If you look closely, you can see my son's head. To give you some scale, he is six feet tall. Pretty amazing, no?

New things

2011-01-08T13:38:00.002-05:00

Ah, Hope! what would life be, stripped of thy encouraging smiles, that teach us to look behind the dark clouds of to-day, for the golden beams that are to gild the morrow.

-- Susanna Moodie

2011-01-03T11:09:00.003-05:00

"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." -- Leonard Cohen

Wishing you love and light, peace and health in 2011.

December days

2010-12-14T09:34:00.003-05:00

"Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles." -- Edwin Louis Cole

The good with the bad

2010-12-03T08:42:00.003-05:00

One of the amazing things about life is how the darkness and the light are intermingled. This is an essential teaching of many faiths and at no other time of the year is it more acutely felt than in December. Right now many people in my circle are going through difficult times and there have been losses that break the heart.

And yet.

At the same time there are small joys and reasons to celebrate. One tiny candle illuminates the darkness and sheds a light that gives us hope. If we can add to that light incrementally, one small candle at a time, we can illuminate the world. If we can be that candle, we can lift one another into the light.

Wishing you light and love this Chanukah.

The attitude is gratitude

2010-11-26T09:15:00.005-05:00

"Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart, and not in the mind." -- Lionel Hampton

Gotta fly now

2010-11-16T11:10:00.002-05:00

Times are tough, there's no doubt about that, but rather than give in to setbacks I'm trying to see them as fresh opportunities. A chance to soar, not wallow. An opportunity to brush off my skills and put them to work in new ways. I may not succeed, but I'll never fly if I don't start flapping.

Let's get small

2010-11-12T23:06:00.007-05:00

Where has the year gone? It feels like it flew by while I ran to keep up, but much of it has been good. Certainly I have no problem counting my blessings in spite of a few extremely difficult patches. I'm still in a holding pattern here, hoping to get my computer cleaned out and backed up so I can share new adventures in art and photography. In the meantime, I'm using photos from my recent archives. There's something fresh and relaxing about keeping things small and light. I often tell my writing students to "go small" when a story gets away from them. Nice to know my advice works here, too. Does it work for you?

Halloween girl

2010-10-30T09:45:00.003-04:00

I've been gone from here for so long just trying to keep all the balls up in the air but this is my birthday weekend and I wanted to share it with my art friends and thank those of you who wrote for your good wishes. I have so much planned for this blog and hope to be back in the saddle soon. Meanwhile, have a safe and sane weekend!

Missing you

2010-09-03T08:52:00.003-04:00

The summer has flown by without a word from me as I attempt to balance all that is going on in my life. I am well, but a bit overwhelmed. Computer problems have compounded my absence from Bloglandia and the friends I have made. I miss you all. How has your summer been?

Trying to balance

2010-06-11T08:51:00.003-04:00

Still planning my plans and dreaming of having enough time to actually make them a reality, but the sundrops have opened and the garden is blooming. Where do we go to make the essential part of our lives match the things we must do to survive? The only answer I can see is to be present every moment, free from stories that would block our view, and drink it all in. As someone once said -- "Life is what happens while you're making other plans."

How do you maintain your balance?

Searching for your own authentic voice

2010-05-14T08:40:00.002-04:00

What is it about having the courage to be authentically, truly yourself that scares the bejeebers out of people? Is this why it is so hard for artists to find themselves creatively? How much are we willing to invest in searching for a style, a tone, a message that is entirely ours? And can we ever not be ourselves, even when we are learning by imitating?

So many questions. It's time to start looking for some answers.

What do you think?

2010-05-09T08:48:00.001-04:00

Something new is coming

2010-04-30T08:44:00.002-04:00

I've been feeling a lot like this old truck lately -- tired, rusty, stuck in place. Maybe it's because I've been working hard, or because it took me six weeks (!!!) to throw off most of my respiratory illness, or all of the things I'm trying to juggle in my life right now, but whatever the reason my creative mojo has been AWOL. In fact, I've been so exhausted that I've fallen out of Bloglandia. I don't have the time or energy to comment on friends' blogs and haven't participated in the Street Team for a long stretch. I feel badly about this and miss everyone.

So I'm going to try something new. I'm not going to say anything right now but all will be revealed in time.

Stay tuned!

The Perfect Bass note

2010-03-17T10:57:00.004-04:00

I'm still sick but I'm getting better.

Today's design crush is master designer Saul Bass. I've seen his work my entire life but had no idea who he was. I am nuts for his clean, bold hand-cut look.

Bass designed more than movie posters. He was the genius behind some of the best title sequences in the movies -- think of Good Fellas, Age of Innocence, Around the World in 80 Days, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, World and West Side Story. He also illustrated a charming children's book by Leonore Klein called "Henri's Walk to Paris."

On top of all this, Bass designed some of the best known logos from our childhoods: Girl Scouts, AT&T, United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Traveler's Insurance, Lowry's Seasongings, The United Way, Bell Telephone, Minolta and Kleenex.

But it's his posters and illustration that speak to me the most. I love the collage-like style that puts me in mind of Sister Corita, also from that period. Isn't it wonderful?

Out sick

2010-03-13T13:52:00.005-05:00

I've been sick.

The 10-day Cold from Hell has a cousin it seems, and this one comes with a week of fever and a deep, hacking cough.

Yuck.

I haven't been good for much but I have had a little time to catch up on my favorite blogs. At the top of the list (besides the wonderful people in the right-hand column) is Book by its Cover. It's the brainchild of Brooklyn illustrator and pattern designer Julia Rothman who shines a spotlight on wonderful art books of all kinds, from the commercial art books to personal sketchbooks. If you don't know her blog, you must zip over there immediately. Just click the magic button and be transported. I'll go make a cup of tea and wait for you.

Back already?

Great wasn't it? If you scrolled down you would have seen a book about the brilliant collage art of Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes. Totally swoon-worthy.

Look at this.

And this.

I immediately went to Amazon to look for the book and stumbled across American artist Rex Ray. If you are already familiar with his work, forgive my gushing, but I'm totally crushing on his geometric abstractions and powerful sense of design.

Yum!

Yum again.

So between sleeping and coughing and watching movies on my Netflix list, the time hasn't been totally wasted.

Now I must go have my tea. Thanks for checking in!

Color Happy

2010-02-15T10:49:00.002-05:00

A rare Monday off. So many items on my "to-do" list, top of which is to share more of my explorations in color with you.

Lucky charms

2010-02-07T13:57:00.003-05:00

Pink stars, yellow ginko, orange moons. I've taken a break from my daily photos to offer something else that has seized me in its grip -- playing with color. It all started with laying down a few backgrounds for a new 2010 journal. I was going to get off to a rousing start and do a page a day.

I did keep that promise. Sort of.

But the laying down color sort of grabbed ahold of me and before I knew it, all 70 pages were filled with my mad experiments, with only about six that could really be called collage. Before I am overwhelmed again with the work that has kept me from my blog, I want to share a few of my paintings. I'm not sure they deserve that title, but for lack of another word, let's go with that. Paintings.

Works for me. Does it work for you?

Help comes to Haiti

2010-01-16T10:04:00.005-05:00

Even as I weep and gnash my teeth and pray for the people of Haiti, the roster of compassion grows. There are 27 search-and-rescue teams now on the ground in Haiti. The list of countries warms my heart. Name someplace at random and they have sent rescuers -- Iceland, Brazil, the Philippines, Israel, Mexico, France, Spain, Honduras, the UK, the list goes on and on. Rescue teams with their valiant dogs are on their way or on the ground from every corner of the US. As someone who was in New York City on 9/11, I am particularly moved to see New York's Finest and Bravest answering the call. These heroes going willingly into the jaws of Hell to try to save lives once again deeply moves me. They all move me. If only the world could pull together when there isn't a tragedy of epic proportions.

I know you want to do all you can. The best place to find a charity that is reputable and gives the majority of its proceeds to help the people of Haiti is HERE. It's the American Institute for Philanthropy's watchdog Web site.

Please keep in mind that once the initial phase is past, there will be a great need for help. When the call goes out for food, water, clothes and supplies, please keep the specific needs of women and babies in mind. Diapers and personal feminine supplies are often overlooked during donations. They will be much needed. It will be up to us not to let news fatigue make us forget that the rescue has only just begun. There is so much more that needs to be done.

And thank you for all you are doing.

The 12-month challenge

2010-01-01T22:25:00.014-05:00

Over at Dispatch from LA the always inspiring Mary Ann Moss celebrated the New Year by sharing just one image from each month of 2009. As a fan, I know how many fabulous photos she takes and admired her restraint and choices. I began to wonder -- could I do that, too? Could I encapsulate 2009 with just one photo a month?

January: We greeted 2009 with Cousin Kyle and Benji's half-sister, Abby. Guess who Abby has a crush on?

February: It was tough to choose between Benji's birthday and this, the fittings for his role in The Music Man, but this won out. Here's Benji with the leading man (far right) and his comic sidekick selecting shades to hide from the paparazzi.

March: Mayor George Shinn (D-River City, IA) and his lovely wife, Eulalie.

April: An unexpected heat wave made us decide to have lunch at the seawall. Big brother gets a hug from a tired Abby who thought the day was just beachy.

May: It was a day of zipping from one state to the next but I managed to see my father lead the Memorial Day parade in the tiny town where I grew up and still catch Benji playing with his middle school band at home.

June: Fathers Day.

July: Another opening, another show. Believe it or not, Benji performed in three shows in 2009, not to mention serving as sound technician in two others.

August: My best friend since the second grade, Rod, came up from Florida for his niece's wedding and we got to visit after a separation of seven years.

September: Benji started high school and got his first band uniform. As his Spanish teacher exclaimed: "Muy guapo!"

October: Another reunion! My friend Karl Stephan, whom I hadn't seen since we graduated high school, was part of the Open Studios in New Haven. It was great to see Karl and his work.

November: My birthday celebration with the family was delayed by a couple of weeks so we marked it in November. This scrumptious pumpkin chocolate chip cake had it's candles put out unexpectedly by the soccer ball in the background. It didn't bother the cake a bit.

December: An early Chanukah celebration with my folks before they set off for Florida helped end the year. Looking back, it was a quite a good year, even better than I realized.

So I challenge you: What 12 images speak for your experiences in 2009? Can you edit your year down to just 12 photos? If you take the challenge, let me know. I'd love to see your year!

And here's to a Happy 2010!

The first mitzvah for 2010

2010-01-01T10:36:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year, my friends!

It's pretty exciting to think that we're in a new decade and can make a fresh start. The two cuties above are my son, Benji, and his cousin, Sarah. This was taken at Benji's second birthday party; Sarah was about 20 months at the time. This was how I spent the 90s. This past decade was dedicated to raising my son, building community and work. It had its highs and lows, but all in all, it was good. I know I was blessed and I want to give back.

One of the ways I'm going to do that is to contribute to a diaper drive started by Julie at Tangobaby. Her story is pretty extraordinary. She's a single working girl living in San Francisco who stopped for a homeless woman and it changed her life. The woman had three children, including an infant, and Julie felt compelled to do something. She checked things out to make sure the woman was legit and found a dire need that is going unexpressed. Disposable diapers are too expensive for the poorest women, those who have escaped abuse and must spend whatever money they have just to survive.

A young mother read about this on Julie's blog and wanted to help. As she looked into it, she discovered that even social safety-net programs such as WIC and foodstamps do not cover diapers. So she and a friend founded Help a Mother Out (HAMO) to begin a diaper drive to get disposable diapers to shelters and agencies that help this population. It's an opportunity to do your first mitzvah (good deed) of the year. What a great way to start 2010!

And to thank you for reading this far, here's a more recent photo of Benji and Sarah from the decade just past. By the end of this decade they'll be out on their own, conquering the world.

Wow.

Peace and Joy

2009-12-24T12:39:00.000-05:00

Thundersnow

2009-12-20T14:36:00.003-05:00

The biggest storm of 2009 roared down the East Coast last night and left almost 14 inches of powdery stuff.

A perfect opportunity to try out my new Nikon D40.

The birds were relying on the feeder for their breakfast.

Fluffing their feathers against the cold.

Suddenly it's looking a lot like Christmas.

Chappy Chanukah!

2009-12-11T08:30:00.006-05:00

Tonight is the first night of Chanukah.

There's a lot of confusion about what Chanukah is and is not.

Although they share the chilliest time of the year in this hemisphere, it is not the Jewish Christmas, although Jesus knew Chanukah.

It is a holiday that celebrates the victory of the fight for religious freedom against enormous odds, punctuated by a small miracle. It is this miracle, a tiny light that burned in the darkest of times and would not be extinguished that touches my heart and holds great meaning for me. Each night another light is added, and the fellowship of each additional flame creates a blaze of joy that illuminates the darkest time of the year.

I wish you Chag Orim Sameach, Happy Festival of Lights. Thank you for being my candles and sharing your light.

reSIGNed to being late

2009-12-03T20:29:00.008-05:00

I have been playing along with Michelle Ward's GPP Street Team Crusades for quite awhile, although lately work and responsibilities have been taking up most of my time. However, when I heard that Michelle's latest Crusade was "What's Your Sign?" I wanted to play along.

The sign I wanted to talk about wasn't a visual one but rather a song. It's called "Lecha Dodi" and it means "Come My Beloved" in Hebrew. We sing it at the beginning of Friday night services to welcome the Sabbath. While the words are always the same, there are many tunes. The last conversation I ever had with my Uncle Herbie was when he was in the hospital awaiting surgery. He had end-stage diabetes and the doctors were about to do something drastic that they hoped would save his life. I wanted to see him, but I had a heavy cold, so my Aunt Selma told me to call instead.

During our conversation, I mentioned how I was trying to remember a tune to "Lecha Dodi" I hadn't heard since my Youth Group days. My uncle, who loved telling jokes and stories and being the center of attention, immediately launched into not one, but dozens of variations on the melody until we found the one I was looking for. Even on the phone he was on stage and having a ball. It was a wonderful "visit." Sadly, he only lived a couple of days after his surgery.

Ever since then, whenever I hear "Lecha Dodi" I think of Uncle Herbie. At times when I've heard the song I think I see a man who looks like him, only to turn and see that I am wrong. Or am I?

But other than "Lecha Dodi" I would have said I don't have signs. Then something odd happened. Right after Michelle first mentioned this Crusade, I was taking photos of a beloved tree for Getting Arboreal, a collaboration with my friend Julie Prichard. There, on the same street, was a house I've never seen before. This house.

It had Michelle written all over it.

I was amazed. Why hadn't I seen it before? I'd been on that street a hundred times.

Monday, it occurred to me that I was about to be late -- AGAIN -- for a Crusade. It was lunchtime and I was out on my daily camera safari. I was shooting store windows and the last of the leaves and decided to poke my head into a store and was startled to see this.

Anyone who knows Michelle knows that deer are one of her signs. Now I know it's the holiday season and reindeer are ubiquitous, but walking into a store full of sparkly reindeer the moment you have the thought?

Perhaps someone was trying to tell me something. So here I am, late but present. All that's missing is someone singing "Lecha Dodi."

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T08:09:00.004-05:00

Wishing you a wonderful day among those you love.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A feast before the feast

2009-11-24T22:23:00.006-05:00

Before I head off to clean the house, prepare the side dishes and take my boy to play with the band at the Thanksgiving game, I want to leave you a present. A Thanksgiving visual journal to thank all of you for your friendship, support and inspiration this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Leafing it for last

2009-11-22T20:42:00.005-05:00

Man, is this embarrassing. I've fallen behind on the very idea Julie (of Land of Lost Luggage fame) and I had dreamed up. I've even had the photos ready. And yet Getting Arboreal: A Nature Collection has been sitting in my iPhoto folder, neglected. Forgive me, friends.

Three of my tree friends were revisited for part deux. The lovely Japanese maple next door.

Can I just say again how much I love Japanese maples?

And a return trip to the pin oak planted to commemorate the 1912 Connecticut Constitutional Convention. I confess I got this one a little on the early side. As we drove by today we couldn't help noticing that all of the leaves are gone. Alas.

And my backyard buddy, the pink dogwood I like to call Rover.

Sit Rover. Stay.

Good boy!

Sunday visual journal

2009-11-22T09:08:00.006-05:00

I'm in an abstract and somewhat painterly mood. To wit:

No time to paint, no time to draw, no time to play in Photoshop, no time to work in my journal. There's not even time to write here the way I wish. But my little camera keeps my artistic spirit alive until I can get back to what I love. I'm determined to have art happen while I'm keeping up with my responsibilities. How do you do it?

Friday Visual Journal

2009-11-20T08:57:00.008-05:00

A few of the results from this week's ramblings. Biggest surprise: roses in bloom in November - in Connecticut!

Sunday visual journal

2009-11-15T23:22:00.005-05:00

Television is trying to convince us it's almost Christmas, but I'm continuing my ramblings through a New England autumn.

One week ago

2009-11-15T12:14:00.007-05:00

Last Sunday we went to my sister's for a belated birthday celebration for the October girls -- me and Mom. The weather was gorgeous and one of my favorite photographer buddies and I set out to record the beautiful things in his neighborhood.

Then we came upon his neighbor's house. This wasn't any neighbor but a professional puppeteer who had worked on Sesame Street. His jack o' lanterns were a bit -- different.

Really different. These are only two vignettes. There were a half dozen more.

Back home, Joseph's little brother had art that continued the theme. Love this crow!

Soon it was time for dinner. What else could you expect from a family of artists but colorful food?

And a surprise guest. Notice the blue painter's tape. Obviously he had been making art, too.

Then it was time for the beautiful, homemade pumpkin cake. Please note the soccer ball being held by the young lady in the background.

No sooner were the candles extinguished than the soccer ball accidentally landed right on the top of the cake. Easiest method of extracting candles, ever.

She was embarrassed but you know what? That cake was scrumptious and we all had seconds. Can't beat a birthday celebration like that!

Saturday Visual Journal

2009-11-07T16:54:00.004-05:00

More autumn ramblings.

Friday Visual Journal

2009-11-06T15:08:00.002-05:00

The poet said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are 5,000 words on fall.

Thinking abstractly

2009-11-03T07:10:00.007-05:00

After two weeks of the 15-day cough, I finally felt well enough to celebrate my birthday. Friends took me to New Haven, where we had a fabulous dinner at a Malaysian restaurant. Naturally, I had my camera with me and couldn't resist a few (dozen!) photos.

A wonderful birthday in good company. What more could a girl want?

And there it was

2009-10-30T14:21:00.009-04:00

Last Friday on my way home from teaching my Memoir Writing class, I stopped to take a few photos. As I turned to go back to my car I saw this house. It was as if it had been dropped in by a Hollywood set designer. Why hadn't I seen it before?

It immediately reminded me of our friend Michelle Ward and her love of things Gothic and interesting.

I was amazed as I drew closer -- ravens on the railing?

And the lanterns -- part Poe, part Addams family.

And in the ornamentation around the front door there are bits of mirror. Imagine how they must sparkle and glitter in the lamp light as dusk descends.

And the black wrought iron fence. The perfect Halloween house.

I've been by a thousand times and never saw it before. Do you think it will still be there when All Saints Day rolls around?

Or will it vanish with a gasp of moonglow in the night?

Happy Halloween!

A season to fall for

2009-10-24T12:50:00.004-04:00

I've always thought that fall was our glorious consolation as the pleasures of summer ebb.

Friends in Northern California used to point out how much I liked it there and ask, "So why don't you move here? We never have bad winters like you do in New England."

"But you never have New England autumns, either," I'd reply, and wistfully, they'd admit they had always wanted to experience one.

I love having four seasons, although I confess by February I've had all the winter I care for, thanks very much. But autumn can't last long enough for me. As an October birthday girl, I grew up thinking that fall was my personal season.

Wasn't the world decorated just for the occasion?

Random things

2009-10-20T08:57:00.006-04:00

I have a code in the nobe.

Fever, aches, cough, sore throat.

Basically the Cold from Hell. Yuck.

But a rare opportunity to share some things random and interesting. A fall tomatillo. A rare, hand-lettered sign fading into oblivion. Gorgeous iron work in a surprising place. Beauty persists even with a fever.

Hope you're faring better this week. Achoo!

Excuse me, I'm going back to bed.

A Wing and a Prayer

2009-10-10T23:22:00.006-04:00

These magnificent wings soar over the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut, treating motorists with the eyes to see to a glorious sight.

Fortunately for me, they are not far from my home and on the route I take everyday. Often I've passed them and wished I had the time to stop.

One day I passed them right before sunset and the slanting golden light was so glorious, I knew this was the time of day I needed to capture but continued on my way. For a year, I scolded myself but kept going.

Then last Saturday I met with artist friends during the New Haven Citywide Open Studios and we got to talking about how much of photography was capturing the ephemeral moment. The next day, on my way home from picking up my boy, the lighting was perfect and I was in no hurry.

Hallelujah!

More Inorganic Chemistry

2009-10-07T12:05:00.004-04:00

What is it about a visit to artists that inspires?

I am one of those people who never leave home without a camera. Recently I visited a friend I hadn't seen since high school who was participating in the City-Wide Open Studios weekend in New Haven. The studios are in an old factory complex in Erector Square. Out of respect for the artists, I did not shoot their work. But I was entranced by the old building and came away with these images.

Inorganic Chemistry

2009-10-02T20:26:00.007-04:00

My friend Julie Prichard recently posted some amazing images from a day in her dad's garage. Feeling inspired, I wanted to share these with you. Thanks for the inspiration, Julie!

Fair Time

2009-09-25T08:33:00.012-04:00

People are often surprised when I say I was raised a country girl.

"Didn't you say you grew up in New York?"

Well, yes and no. I grew up an hour from New York City and while that's practically next door considering the size of New York State, it's far enough for Manhattanites to refer to as "Upstate." In my Upstate world we had no sidewalks or street lamps; some of the roads were still unpaved. Cows roamed onto our school playground and we bought our eggs from the chicken farm over the trestle bridge. Summer meant weeding and August meant canning -- in the swelter without air conditioning.

In spite of the latter, I was happy when an opportunity presented itself to go to the Goshen Fair in Litchfield County, Connecticut. Most people think of livestock, greasy food, country music and blue ribbons when they think of these fairs and it's true -- all of these items were there. But there other things present as well.

A sense of humor.

Giant vegetables.

Cute bunnies.

And this.

And this.

And this.

Love.

Remembering all of this, wouldn't you want to go home again, too?

What I did on my summer vacation -- Part Ultimo

2009-09-12T14:08:00.008-04:00

And we've come to our last day. Benji and I drove out to Sag Harbor for lunch, the weather finally clear. There's a tiny shack on the dock where we love to eat. I have many photos of Benji beneath this sign. Although he's been able to touch it for years, I would dare say never quite this easily.

With a view like this, who cares how tiny and informal the restaurant might be.

The menu says the rest.

Specials included.

It took us about an hour and a half to drive back to Port Jefferson. We drove right up onto the ferry without waiting. The sun was going down.

Creating a breathtaking backdrop.

As we sailed off into the sunset.

Another summer gone.

What I did on my summer vacation -- Part Quatre

2009-09-12T13:33:00.007-04:00

My sister's family are all artists. Benji's gifts are in the musical and performing fields, but this niece and nephew have visual gifts. What a joy to expand their artistic imaginations. Not that they need much stretching. Look at this homage to Matisse that their dad painted.

That's the pile of artists right there. Ori is 11 and Joey is 8.

And these are the collage journals we created in composition notebooks out of old magazines. Joseph's is fearless and very creative. The ideas flow out of him like water, all painted with his sense of humor.

Penguins on an island vacation.

Composite people.

Fun.

Ori is equally gifted, but her design gene is stronger.

Like her aunt, each page is deliberated over and done and redone.

She's never satisfied, so this is an exercise in letting go and letting it be.

Pretty apt pupils, I'd say.

What I did on my summer vacation -- Part Tres

2009-09-12T12:47:00.006-04:00

Could you pass this bowl of chips and guacamole? Thanks. I know you must all be getting hungry. There's just two more sets of photos. These are from my morning ramble through the garden gate. Notice the bunny. He was the bravest wild rabbit I've ever seen. Just sat there and posed. Maybe he had dreams of making it onto the cover of Martha Stewart.

The garden was so beautiful after the rain.

It had that sort of wild seaside wear and tear that I love.

Worn beauty.

And a few surprises where you didn't expect them.

The rain had soaked the cedar shingles on the house until they were practically black, making the gorgeous foliage and flowers really pop.

And pop.

And, of course, there were the beautiful hydrangeas.

Which I can't resist.

Sea blue flowers against the sea.

We Interrupt This Program

2009-09-11T08:25:00.007-04:00

It's cold, wet and windy in Connecticut and New York City today.

As I write this, I'm remembering taking the local train to Manhattan on a beautiful September morning. I was running late dropping my son off at school and missed the express to Grand Central.

Three-quarters of the way in, an announcement came over the loudspeaker. The conductor wasn't sure what to say, so he said there had been an accident. A plane had hit the World Trade Center. Jaded commuters that we were, we nodded and thought, "Some idiot in a single engine aircraft, no doubt."

A minute later, the conductor was back. "No, it was two planes."

And we knew.

I surfaced on West 47th Street and Madison Avenue in time to see the towers fall. In the window of the bank, the television showed the grim details. To my right the plumes of smoke became mountains of ash mushrooming heavenward. In front of me, on the television was the same image.

The word apocalyptic went through my mind.

With each step I took, it grew worse. Washington. Pennsylvania.

The rest of the day was spent bonding with strangers, or perhaps with neighbors, for there were no strangers that day. After arriving at work and checking on my co-workers, I had just one thought: "I must get home to my child."

Eventually I made it home and sat happily in the principal's office, refusing to leave or eat, until the end of the school day. I didn't want to disrupt my son's routine but I needed to be nearby. I had no idea how the day affected people in Connecticut until Benji's first-grade teacher came running into the office, saw me and exhaled, "Thank, God!"

She was in terror of having to tell her first-grader his mother was lost.

We were fortunate. Others were not. For a year I walked past the back of the magnificent building you see above, watching procession after procession prepare to enter to remember those who were lost. Every weekday. For a year.

It was a year of amazing people coming from around the country and the world to help. Of heartbreaking posters with beautiful faces. Of American flags and an ache that needed to be healed.

The world goes on. But the amazing ceremonies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania remind us of the individuals who were lost. Our heroes in uniform. Our heroes in civilian clothes, coming from every race, religion and 200 countries.

Let us never forget.

What I did on my summer vacation -- Part Deux

2009-09-11T01:11:00.003-04:00

So we're back. Freshen up anyone's drink?

So we were talking about our 3-day summer vacation on Long Island. No trip is complete without visits to the local organic farm for veggies and flowers. Some of my favorites are in bloom in late August. Dahlias.

Sunflowers.

And the vegetables themselves are things of beauty. How gorgeous are these eggplant?

And peppers and tomatoes -- the jewels of late summer.

I'm going to get us some more guacamole. Don't go anywhere. Benji, put on the next wheel.

What I did on my summer vacation -- Part Uno

2009-09-05T15:59:00.012-04:00

So nice of you to drop in to see our vacation photos.

Did I mention that we took the ferry from Bridgeport, CT, to Port Jefferson on Long Island, NY to spend a weekend with family? Yes? Oh, good. Let's get started.

Benji, get the lights!

Here's our route:

And here's Benji as we pulled out of Bridgeport Harbor. It was a gray and wet day when we left. Tropical Storm Danny was stirring up trouble. Were we worried? Nah. As long as it wasn't too windy and there wasn't lightning, we're game.

I think it wasn't more than 60 degrees.

The trip isn't about an hour and 20 minutes. I loved all the blue-gray wildness of the ocean.

Before you knew it, there was the harbor at Port Jefferson.

Look at these adorable tugboats. I thought of my 3-year-old nephew, Sammy, when I took them. He loves Thomas the Tank Engine's tugboat friends.

And I guess they love little kids too. It wasn't until I downloaded these photos that I realized there was a child's picnic table on the boat. What a surprise!

The drive from the ferry was another hour and a half, but we went straight to greet the ocean.

You could say we were happy to be there.

More photos in the next installment. Iced tea anyone?

Getting arboreal: A Nature Collection

2009-08-21T14:21:00.008-04:00

Julie and I are at it again.

Last time, we went From Sea to Shining Sea -- a cinch if you live in coastal Connecticut and your pal lives in San Diego. But not so easy for others. Not everyone has an ocean in their backyard.

So this time, it's trees. If you'll pop over to The Land of Lost Luggage, Julie will explain the "rules." I hope Julie doesn't mind if I speak for both of us, but it's only rules in the broadest sense. We welcome stretching, pushing and general creative expanding.

Case in point: Here you see many trees, not just one. Why? Well, I just plain couldn't decide. So at the top you'll see a crabapple tree. Wait until you see how gorgeous this beauty looks in the fall.

Next up is the old Center School, now Board of Education headquarters, and the home of the 1902 Constitutional Convention pin oak. That's Connie at the far right of the building. You can get a better look at him directly above.

This is Connie, too. He was planted in 1902 to commemorate the Connecticut Constitutional Convention. One sapling was planted in each Connecticut town. The trees have thrived, unlike the movement to tinker with the constitution. That was defeated -- and continues to be defeated. Hooray, Nutmeggers!

This lovely is a Japanese maple. Not the small, lacy kind but the larger, sturdy tree with scrumptious fall color.

Maybe my favorite leaf shape of them all.

So lovely.

This is Rover, our backyard pink dogwood. OK, the name is silly, but what else should I call a dogwood? If people can name their golden retriever Dave, why can't I call this guy Rover?

Not into naming trees? No problem, not everyone is quite as nuts as I am. In fact, I have MORE trees, but they'll wait for another time. Now Julie and I would love to see your trees. And as Julie mentioned, if you include a leaf shot as well, I'll do my best to identify your arboreal friend.

Ready to play?

Somewhere in the South Pacific

2009-07-31T12:20:00.007-04:00

A hundred and one pounds of fun

that's my little honeybun

get a load of honeybun tonight.

I'm talking about my sweetie pie

only 60 inches high

and every inch is packed with dynamite!

Congratulations to the cast of South Pacific, performing this weekend at the Square One Theater in Stratford. And a big hug to my sailor who as always, dazzles us with his talent. If you're in town, come join us!

High Summer

2009-07-19T16:53:00.004-04:00

High summer.

The Rose Moon is past and the Thunder Moon is yet to come.

We are in the days of the Heat Moon.

When tomatoes swell and their cheeks blush red.

The daylilies sway in the breeze.

Children marinate themselves in chlorine by day

then play hide and seek as the fireflies appear.

Days of iced tea languor

and ice cream evenings.

And maybe a dance beneath the stars

as Etta James melts the stereo

and the tendrils within

unfurl

and relax.

Roses for Shannon

2009-07-07T21:21:00.000-04:00

Our friend, Michelle Ward, is on her way to Minnesota to gather with family on the first anniversary of the loss of her beautiful sister, Shannon.

But before she left, the magnificent book we created arrived in her hands.

Any words I could use to describe her reaction would pale in comparison to the reveal Michelle left on her blog. Go HERE to see it.

But I do want to thank all of you for your generosity, your talent, your love and your endless patience as we waited to exactly the right moment to send Michelle the Book of Love.

Not a single person let the secret slip.

Special thanks to my fellow secret agents, Julie Prichard and Lisa Hoffman, who made our months of planning and plotting such a joy.

That gorgeous beast of a book is Julie's artistic genius. She sewed miles of thread and created the Michelle-perfect cover. Visit The Land of Lost Luggage to see more.
Our inside woman and voice of reason was Lisa. She kept us laughing and contributed the perspective we needed so badly. You can visit her HERE.

And corresponding with all of you, receiving your artistic treasures and your heartwarming comments, meant the world to all three of us.

Thank you.

Just Beachy

2009-06-27T18:15:00.008-04:00

A funnel cloud was seen last night in coastal Connecticut. We're hurricane country, not tornado alley, but there it was. Wild weather swirled around us then departed leaving the pink promise of a brilliant day.

Today.

On the way home from the half-price sale at the herb nursery, we decided to appreciate the golden moment from our favorite vantage point -- the seawall.

Long time visitors to this blog may recall the photos of this location taken in the freeze frame of winter.

But now it's a different place. Warm, teaming, alive and saturated with sunshine.

Piles of clouds visible across the Sound hovering over the playground of the rich and not-so-rich.

All sorts of lush growth encouraged by the generous downpours.

And a different sort of flower waiting to unfurl when the time is right.

And the two of us, drinking it all in.

Savoring the cerulean and cobalt moment.

Happy Fathers Day

2009-06-21T14:16:00.003-04:00

Abba

Father

Papi

Dad

Lush

2009-06-12T21:00:00.004-04:00

So far, June has been raining adjectives.

Luscious.

Voluptuous.

Fecund.

Lush.

Do you hear the clematis singing?

2009-06-12T11:07:00.008-04:00

The overture, in bud.

The altos and tenors begin a soaring harmony.

Joined by a delicate soprano.

Then the baritones/basses add a rich counterpoint.

And the clematis has burst into song.

A walk in the rain

2009-05-28T23:43:00.004-04:00

A few days of rain. Perfect for a stroll with my camera to visit a friend.

He was deep in contemplation, as usual, but welcomed my question. "Why is it so hard to find your heart's desire?"

"Stop searching, and it will find you," he said.

"Allow the universe to perform its own alchemy."

"Remain open. Remain in the now and possibilities will bloom."

Memorial Day

2009-05-26T22:08:00.008-04:00

It was quite a day.

There was the Commander.

And the giant eagle.

The saxophone player.

And the parade girl with her Daddy and Mommy (in the red shirt).

There were fire trucks. Of course, there were fire trucks.

And marching bands.

And more marching bands.

Funny vehicles.

And the reason why it's worthwhile to go to two parades 50 miles apart on the same day. Thank you, veterans, for all you do for us.

Rambling on

2009-05-19T22:53:00.005-04:00

It's such a common story, it's practically a cliche.

Parents that feel love and pride for their child's talents but don't quite understand them.

They really do try. It's just that they're old school and you're, well, writing your own text book as you go along.

So what a joy, what a relief, to have a forum of like-minded spirits who see what you see.

A place to be yourself and still love those who love you.

A room of one's own.

May ramble

2009-05-17T13:23:00.006-04:00

"Why don't you take some pretty pictures?" she asked. "You photograph such odd things."

"Are these onions? Who photographs onions?"

"And why so many rocks and leaves?"

"People like happy pictures."

"You keep talking about texture. No one looks at a photo for texture."

"I just don't understand why you think these things are beautiful."

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-09T21:59:00.004-04:00

For all of you who are mothers, who act as mothers, who have mothers.

For my beautiful mother and yours.

B, Be, Bee

2009-05-05T00:32:00.003-04:00

Spring muse strikes again

2009-05-01T11:41:00.003-04:00

Glories of spring, part dos

2009-04-28T16:53:00.006-04:00

It was quite a weekend.

The sun towered above us in that cerulean sky.

And the waters of Wooster Pond brought new friends.

Cautiously made. Beauty on the wing must be respected.

An early bite of dinner and a flower for her Mommy. Auntie doesn't mind a bit.

A girl doesn't live on beauty alone. She has to laugh sometimes, too.

And get hugs from big brother.

Celebrating the end of a sparkling weekend.

In the pond between Connecticut and Long Island. Glorious!

Hope you had a good one, too.

The glories of spring

2009-04-25T10:46:00.007-04:00

Every season needs a fairy guide to the pleasures of the season.

Although I confess that the beauty we find may be a bit, umm, out of the ordinary.

Oh, there are blossoms, to be sure.

But also ancient calligraphy on venerable hide.

Bursts of color in formidable places.

And promise about to unfurl against a cerulean sky.

A little more write now

2009-04-23T20:02:00.007-04:00

A few more examples of words in my journals. Once again, I'll let these speak for themselves. Thanks Michelle, for another great Crusade.

A little wordy

2009-04-18T15:46:00.008-04:00

It's GPP Street Team time once again. This month:

Since I'm given to long conversations, I think I'll let these examples of words and art speak for me. Feel free to discuss among yourselves.

All Hail the Queen!

2009-04-05T13:55:00.007-04:00

Not THAT queen!

Our queen wouldn't flinch if the First Lady of the USA put her arm around the Royal Person.

I'm talking about the Queen of Arts, the beautiful and inspiring muse who drew my number out of the hat on her Blog-o-versary. Look at the treasures she sent me! I'm tempted to hoard them like a magpie but that would be against the Queen's decree. Love must go out into the world in order to come back, the Queen so wisely advises. So the question becomes -- How to do it? There are a few ideas thrumming through my creaky brain but nothing final. I will repost when something gels.

In the meantime, many grateful thanks, Your Majesty. I look forward to when Mrs. Obama comes to visit your kingdom.

Applause, applause!

2009-04-04T00:04:00.007-04:00

It's all over but the shouting. The kids were amazing and my boy did great. I'm still kvelling -- a great old Yiddish word that means to burst with pride. Not only was he the most ornery mayor in Iowa, he kept his cool when the stage lights went off accidentally and kept the show rolling. What a trouper!

It's been an insanely busy couple of weeks, but I didn't want to go to bed without sharing some photos.

And before I forget, many thanks for not mentioning the fact that I got President Truman's name wrong. *cringe!* I even won a trivia contest once because I knew that the S in Harry S Truman was actually his middle name. But obviously his first name escaped my two or three still firing brain cells. Sigh.

So thanks again for your suggestions and support. And for letting me share!

Scenic fainting

2009-03-21T18:22:00.010-04:00

Next week my son's school will present it's production of The Music Man. My Young Thespian is playing Mayor George Shinn, a particularly juicy part with lines like, "watch yer frazeology!" and "yer better watch it, ya kid ya." He has the grumpy thing down to a T.

His mother, who doesn't know any better, volunteered to head the hair and makeup committee. Stage makeup is my thing, but I was shocked that they put someone like me in charge of the Curling Iron Irregulars. So I took a page out of old Henry Truman's book (always hire people who are smarter than you) and recruited all the moms who are really great at hair. Soon the cavalry rode in brandishing blow dryers. Since I got myself out of that pickle, I walked right into an entire vat of kosher dills. I volunteered to help with set painting, something I have done since high school. You know, back in the Dark Ages.

It started out all right when I volunteered to paint a portrait of Old Miser Madison for the library wall. Oh, sure, it started out looking like the director, who we wanted to tease/honor, but wound up looking like the Scenic Chair's son. I guess I've made up that boy's face for so many years my fingers remember him automatically.

Then came the books in the library. How to make them look 3-dimensional? No problem. I showed the other volunteers my method and they look swell.

That leaves the columns. Oy! We've been working and working on those columns. I have photos and sketches but they're proving to be a bear to paint.

So if anyone has some quick tips for making 3-dimensional columns on rough canvas, I'm all ears. It's the only part I've got available. The rest of me is going to be painting the town, or at least the library, gray.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T15:30:00.004-04:00

From a nice Jewish girl to my Irish brothers and sisters. A video that made me very happy. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sunset Ramble

2009-03-16T00:17:00.005-04:00

A sunset ramble.

A photo safari.

In and out of the woods.

The bleached bones of dinosaur trees.

Woodland ruffles and flourishes.

Contrasts bathed in gold.

The skin of the survivors, grown deep with age.

And marine flowers blossoming unexpectedly.

My mind swirls with the promise of things to come.

Here in the dazzle of the sun's farewell.

So I can share it with you.

Tags and Mail Art

2009-03-11T07:06:00.002-04:00

After days of barely posting, I can't seem to stop. Every time I think I'm done, there's another subject I want to share. Ah well, better feast than famine!

The goodies I have here are about mail art. Both are fantastic -- one funky, one elegant. The first one I learned about on Kelly Kilmer's inspiring blog. She mentioned the new book that has come out for Mail Me Art, a project began by Darren Di Lieto of London. He invited artists and illustrators from around the world to mail him art done on envelopes.

The work he received was astounding. You can go HERE to his Web site and scroll through dozens of amazing works that appear in the book. If you're really lucky and live in England, you might be able to catch the show and sale of the work at the Red Gate Gallery on April 3. And if all of this has gotten your creative juices flowing, Darren will begin welcoming submissions for Mail Me Art Two in April.

If your taste runs to calligraphy and elegant illustration, then head over to the Graceful Envelope competition by the Washington Calligrapher's Guild. Their annual contest invites illustrators and calligraphers from around the world to mail in a piece of art based on an annual theme. This year it's Address the Environment. And yes, you can enter this one, too. All you have to do is mail them your submission. The deadline is April 30.

But if you'd rather just look and drool, you can just view the winners of past contests. I have to hand it to the Graceful Envelope contestants -- they incorporate postage stamps better than the funkier crowd. But as far as which I like better, I can't decide. I love them both in different ways. Which is your favorite?

Finally, a shout out to Her Royal Highness, the Queens of Arts for tagging me in her seventh photo in the seventh folder game. I don't do tags or chain letters or that sort of thing, but it's the queen's blog-o-versary and I'm happy to do this for her.

What was the seventh photo in the seventh folder? It was this picture from my son's file -- the amazing dance team called Dynamic Edition. My Towering Teen and I watched them compete in the finale last week on America's Best Dance Crew. Dynamic Edition was amazing, they were cloggers of all things, but the top two places were taken by Quest Crew (no. 1) and Beat Freaks (no. 2). The latter group was all-female and able to compete with the guys on all levels. I was very happy that my son got to see strong women displaying their skills and not their bodies. And honestly, how many good shows are there that a mom can watch with her teenage son and both enjoy? Bravo to the young talents who made it possible and Happy Blog-o-versary again to the Queen.

Chip, Chip, Hooray!

2009-03-10T10:49:00.006-04:00

I've had so many queries about chip brushes, especially from our artistic sistren on other continents, that I thought I'd show you what I use. Sorry the photo is so small but you can click on the image for a close-up.

I love these brushes -- they free me to fly when I add paint because they are so cheap (I think the most I've ever spent is $3.99 for Big Mama) and because they just get better with age and wear.

May the same be true for us!

Happy Purim!

2009-03-09T11:33:00.004-04:00

Before I forget -- Happy Purim everyone! I didn't want the day to go by unremarked, so I'm cheating a bit and offering the cover of the program I created for tonight's celebration. If you're unfamiliar with the holiday, Purim has elements of Mardi Gras (revelry and silliness) and Halloween (costumes and sweets -- although we give instead of get them). And then there's the heroine, Queen Esther. Our celebration will include story telling in the form of song (called a Purim spiel), entertainment with hamantaschen pastries and ice cream sundaes to follow.

On the holiday fun-o-meter, this one rates near the top.

Now if you'll excuse me, I must go find a costume. I would hate to deprive my offspring of an opportunity to roll his eyes in public.

Brushes courtesy of www.obsidiandawn.com and brusheezy.com.

Some HeARTy Experiments

2009-03-09T10:47:00.006-04:00

Beautiful brushwork is popping up like spring ephemerals over at the most recent GPP Street Team Crusade. Since playing with brushwork is exactly my cup of tea, I offered the selection in the previous post as my contribution.

Turns out, I have a bit more of recent vintage to offer. These experiments were done with a cheap pack of paper heart doilies purchased around Valentine's Day. The one on top is the doily as mask and some brushwork with my trusty chip brush.

The one above was done with the chip brush and a credit card. I love the translucent quality created by the thin paint.

This one is the doily as mask (at top) and monoprint (at bottom) and the doily itself as collage element.

Finally, here's a few more elements thrown in. A couple of Crusades ago we were playing with shapes and I cut fun foam into leaves to make stamp/monoprints. Here is the foam again with paint applied in scratchy brush strokes then applied to the page via my brayer. The collage elements are from some discarded wrapping paper I rescued. I realize it's not as rich as the previous post, but I thought the evolution of play with paint might be interesting. But don't tarry here; there's so much more to see. Check out what's going on with the Crusade and prepare to be amazed.

Brushing up

2009-03-04T11:04:00.011-05:00

This month, Michelle Ward's GPP Street Team Crusaders are getting funky with their art supplies and playing with paint.

There's a bit of ennui here at the station as cold weather and chillier economic climate have conspired to put this commuter's creativity into the deep freeze. As a result, I've been joining the Team late, if at all. But this month I have many examples of backgrounds I've created using brush techniques. They're not new, and forgive me if you've seen them before, but this time I want to share early, rather than late.

Here are a few examples. I have a bad tendency to become enamored of my painted pages and not want to obscure them with other stuff, which why I have so many of these. Although I will share another great tip from Michelle -- scan your work and use them in your graphics.

There's a lot going on in these pages, including reversing the stencil to make monoprints. I adore doing this -- I think the negative space is even more interesting than the stencil. In fact, whenever I stencil, I make sure I have at least two blank pages ready. Then I flip the stencil and use my brayer to get every last bit of goodness. A lot of my pages start just that way.

Another technique I love is pouncing. My most important art tools are my chip brushes. I love the streaky, messy, imperfect marks they leave and I don't have to fret over them like I do my precious watercolor sables. In fact, my favorite brush is the one I've abused the most and it's frayed to perfection. I use it for a faux spray paint technique -- perfect for someone who can't use spray paints. I think the results are even more interesting than spray paint since they aren't as uniform.

So why not hop on over to the party at Michelle's and get some more ideas of where a cheap brush and a little paint can take you. Click HERE; it's your train ticket to Crusaderville.

Leap

2009-02-24T10:28:00.004-05:00

! ! ! 100th Post ! ! !

2009-02-18T13:58:00.001-05:00

One hundred posts. Wow!

I can't believe I'm up to 100. I started this blog while visiting my parents in Puerto Rico in 2007. I wanted someplace to share musings gathered during my 2-hour, twice daily commute between New York City and Connecticut, something to show for all that time besides naps and office work. I also needed a place to answer frequent frightened questions from friends, family and friends of friends who were about to brave the Big Apple.

Science fiction author Spider Robinson once observed that God is an iron, since He/She freely indulges in irony. Shortly after starting Commuter's Journal, I was laid off from my job in Manhattan and discovered I needed surgery. The combination ended seven years of long days on Metro North. But it also gave me the opportunity to embark on a new journey, a more profound one I think, and become part of the community of online artists.

So the commute continues, this time on a higher plane. And I thank all of you for traveling with me awhile. You have made the journey more than I could possibly have hoped for.

Here's to the next 100 posts. L'chaim!

These illustrations were created 18 years ago for a children's book written by my friend Nan Lundeen. Unfortunately, the story of a little black dog and her bear friend never sold, but it was fun to see these again after so long.

Let it Out and Let it In

2009-02-14T15:05:00.007-05:00

May your heart take wing this Valentine's Day.

Attention Big Bang Theory fans!

2009-02-10T10:35:00.009-05:00

I just found the coolest T-shirts on the Web. Cool enough for the costume designer on The Big Bang Theory. Honest!

For those of you who don't know The Big Bang Theory, it's a sitcom about four physics nerds and the pretty girl who lives across the hall. You can guess the premise -- they're geniuses but can't function in the real world. She's an ordinary mortal but has more common sense than the bunch of them combined.

Forget the trite premise. This show ROCKS. Really. It's fast, witty and clever and two of the characters -- roommates Leonard and Sheldon -- wear the coolest T-shirts. In fact, there's an excellent Web site that sells them called Sheldon's Shirts.

But the amazing shirts you see here are from a different Web site that I'm excited to tell you about. (Top, Squid Count by akoelle; above, pink roses by LysD.) It's called Design by Humans and features the designs of hundreds of artists. Not only can you buy shirts, you can join them and submit your designs or just sign up and vote for your favorites. But be forewarned, you can spend all day happily browsing.

These shirts may even be too cool for Leonard and Sheldon. But they're not too cool for you. What a great way to rock your inner nerd!

EDIT: Whoops! I forgot to mention that my favorite nerds are on CBS Mondays at 8 p.m.

Happy 15th of Shevat!

2009-02-10T09:09:00.007-05:00

I hope you all had a Happy Tu B'Shevat.

Never heard of it? It's often called the Jewish Arbor Day, since traditionally we plant trees. But it would more accurately be called the Birthday of Trees, since the holiday evolved as the way to mark when a fruit tree is mature enough for harvest. Most people don't realize that trees were of such importance in early cultures that there are laws in the Bible to protect them.

In recent years, some Jewish congregations have begun a special Tu B'Shevat Seder. (A Seder is a symbolic meal that is eaten in a particular order.) It includes four cups of grape juice, starting with white grape and progressing to purple, to symbolize the move from the barrenness of winter to the promise of fall harvest.

There are also two plates of fruit, the first plate is fruit with large seeds, such as avocados, dates and olives, to symbolize big dreams and big accomplishments. The second plate is fruit with small seeds, such as carob, figs and pomegranates, to recognize the importance of small, generous actions. And there are almonds, which mark spring in Israel with an abundance of blossoms, and remind us that sometimes the hardest tasks have the sweetest reward.

With apologies to the groundhog, it is Tu B'Shevat that restores my spirit with the hope of spring. Hope your Tu B'Shevat was great.

Happy Birthday, Trees!

February

2009-02-05T11:11:00.005-05:00

I once complained to a friend that February was the Danny DeVito of months -- short and mean. Then I went and had a baby on her birthday on the last day of February and suddenly, the month was transformed.

Now every February I am guaranteed a Valentine, a companion with whom to visit the folks in Puerto Rico if I can afford to go, and a celebration to plan and anticipate. And I've even come to realize that February has its own icy beauty and Danny DeVito is a great family man, actor, producer and director. Someone I wouldn't mind my February baby emulating.

Isn't it amazing what a little change of perspective can do for you?

A Leaf Motif

2009-02-02T00:48:00.011-05:00

So once again, I'm late to the party. Serves me right for being so dissatisfied and waiting until the last minute. And then there's the little matter of the offspring commandeering the computer for the-middle-school-research-paper-that-would-not-end. Including a 20-minute "discussion" as to why his mother is old because she still says "footnote." Harumph!

But I digress.

As I started to import photos to show you for my choice of shape, it dawned on me that I had more than one or two examples. Dozens more. Holy cow, Michelle -- how did you know we get obsessed when we don't even realize it ourselves?

My choice, obviously, was leaves. In keeping with making my own tools, I basically fell back on three things. One was some birthday wrapping paper with this cool leaf pattern. Which inspired this.

And this.

But I wanted to go a step further. I've been admiring Lotta Jansdotter's work lately and started to cast about for an inexpensive printmaking technique. Then, one day while I was wandering too far from the toothpaste aisle at my local Target, I noticed some fun foam sheets. It dawned on me -- fun foam is cheap, easy to cut and takes impressions with a pen or pencil. In fact, it reminded me of a printmaking technique done in elementary schools using those styrofoam meat trays. Just the thing for simple printmaking.

Once home, I cut and scored my shapes, then applied paint. First with a sponge roller, later with a chip brush. (I prefer the brush's streakiness.) After placing the stamp on the surface, I burnished with it my brayer.

Some stamps I applied directly to the page.

Others were printed then cut out for collage elements. (See top of post.) Then I decided to do a little paper cutting. Some free-form.

Some symmetrical by cutting a folded piece of paper.

The same shape, applied differently becomes a petal. Well, you knew that.

So why leaves you ask? Simple. A plant will generally have one basic "style" of leaf, but repeat it endlessly in all sorts of variations to create a greater work of art. Why not follow the genius of Mother Nature?

Now if she could only tell me how to speed up middle school research papers.

1000 Journals Project

2009-01-28T15:00:00.004-05:00

The DVD of the 1,000 Journals Project movie is now available. This is the title sequence. It's like watching a friend create journal pages. Amazing. Watch it now HERE.

Synchronicity

2009-01-28T02:35:00.005-05:00

About a week ago I had a dream where my much-missed, beloved kitty, Yuki, leapt into my arms for a visit. I was so glad to see him, I woke up, then was annoyed that I was missing our reunion.

The next day, the offer of some very much needed freelance work came in.

Monday, I received the assignment. It was a press release about a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

On the first day of the Chinese New Year, no less.

Don't you love it when the universe does that?

Blind faith

2009-01-12T00:48:00.005-05:00

I had an hour until I picked up the former Bar Mitzvah Boy from his post-Hebrew School class. I decided to run down to the Sea Wall, the site of my beach exchange with La Dama de Lost Luggage.

Sun reflecting off ice and water was blinding and the wind bit into my face and hands with vicious teeth. The screen of my little digital camera was practically useless. So I pointed in the general direction and clicked. "Have faith," the wind whistled, "have faith."

So the wind knows something about photography. Who knew?

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled Program

2009-01-10T14:29:00.004-05:00

A friend sent me an e-mail today about a petition asking President-elect (soon just plain Prez!) Barack Obama to consider creating the position of Secretary of the Arts.

Secretary of the Arts? Who has a Secretary of the Arts?

Well, actually, everyone. The position of Minister of Arts and Cultural Affairs goes back generations in many countries. Ideally, the office would protect the arts and artists and promote the kind of creative thinking that enables problem solving and innovation through education, exhibition and performance.

The idea began with a remark by Quincy Jones, who said that he intended to ask our new president to consider it. Please go here and consider signing the petition to add weight to his words.

Thank you.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled weekend.

Burning and Itching

2009-01-08T13:09:00.009-05:00

I'm burning with ideas and itching to make news things. Did you think I meant in the sense of those tasteless commercials for personal preparations? For shame!

Oh, OK, you caught me.

I was trying to get your attention, but I do have all kinds of new ideas. I set out on Monday to recharge my inspiration batteries. And boy, did they get a recharge! Stephanie at Rodrigvitz Style gave me the first jolt with her post and link about TtV effects. These "photos" when layered in Photoshop can make your new photo look like it was taken through an old fashioned viewfinder camera, such as a Brownie Instamatic. Tres cool!

Then there's the new Crusade at GPP Street Team. Michelle Ward is challenging us to play with shapes. I've been thinking about some of my favorites -- leaves, flowers and letter forms. Right now I have a book of traditional Japanese family crests at my elbow. I love these crest designs for their brilliant use of simplified shapes. Very inspirational. Check out the Crusade here. Anyone can play!

Then there's my exploration of my new Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac program. Superlatives abound! I am having so much fun, and probably driving Julie at Casa de Luggage a little loco with my pleas for tutorials. However, I am catching on and trying to behave. My north star is some good advice from Michelle -- 1. Learn by playing. 2. Scan your work and finish it on the computer. 3. Play some more.

The art above was my first attempt. I scanned "Head of a Young Woman" by Leonardo da Vinci from an art book. Then I printed it and collaged it into my journal. I scanned the page, then went nuts downloading free brushes. That was a learning experience in itself. (Many thanks to Obsidian Dawn, Seishido, gvalkyrie at Brusheezy and zombizi.) Finally, I added brushes and the TtV effect and the results you see at the top of the post. A bit klutzy, but I'm on my way.

My next two projects are my first altered book, which I am turning into a journal, and an idea inspired by a random page turned at a bookstore. It challenged the reader to write ten good things about each person to whom she was close. I want to do it as an art journal. Some people will be easy and some will be hard -- but that's the point, I think. Learning to appreciate challenging loved ones will help me look at them differently. And what is art about if not learning to open the heart and mind and truly see?

Getting sorted

2009-01-06T10:39:00.010-05:00

It's time to clean house for the New Year. And to take a look at the unfinished holiday pages in my journal. This one was inspired by Stephen Colbert's Christmas special. In it, Colbert asks Jon Stewart, who is describing Chanukah in song: Is it merry? Is it cheery? Is it jolly? Stewart in true Jewish style answers, "I wouldn't know from jolly, but it's not my most unfavorite time of year."

This one was done during the 10-inch snow fall we received right before Christmas. I had some calligraphy practice pages left from free-lance work I did for the holidays so I cut them into trees. The entire world seemed white and I wanted to capture it.

This one was my take on the snowy world after dark. Ever notice how the sky seems sort of pink when we're getting a heavy snow, even after the sun goes down?

Right before Chanukah my synagogue sponsored a concert with Magevet, the only Jewish a cappella group at Yale University (which is about 20 minutes from home). They were incredible performers, but the thing that cracked me up was their name. Magevet means "towel" in Hebrew. It seems they began in a men's sauna in the days before women could join.

What's Chanukah without a dreidel? This year, I found some great takes on the most annoying Chanukah song ever written: Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel. Check out Lights: Celebrate Chanukah Live in Concert. Singer Joshua Nelson sings a gospel-flavored arrangement that you can actually listen to more than once. Two other awesome Chanukah albums (is it still kosher to say album?) I discovered were Erran Baron Cohen's Songs in the Key of Hanukkah and the LeeVees' Hanukkah Rocks!

And what is Chanukah without the lights? I love wrapping paper and this was a great place to use some scraps. It's hard to find attractive Chanukah paper. I have no idea why. I know tons of gifted Jewish designers and illustrators.

None of these feel finished to me, but I wanted to share them now before they became unbearably unseasonable. Next time, some non-holiday unfinished pages.

Happy 2009!

2009-01-01T11:55:00.009-05:00

My New Year's Eve dates saying good-bye to 2008. I wish you all good things in 2009!

This is my first attempt at making something with my new PS Elements program. I used brushes I downloaded from the wonderful Web site Obsidian Dawn. A must for dozens of wonderful and free brush packs and great tips. This is part of the Commuter's Journal's new look for the new year. I'm hoping to revise it regularly, but no resolutions. Let's go with the flow and see what the muse brings. Given freedom, she always surprises. Hope she visits you, too!

Scent of the Season (more Dec. views, too!)

2008-12-30T21:15:00.009-05:00

Latkes frying on the stove.

Sephardic orange cake, rich with orange and apple and cinnamon and anise seed.

Chanukah candles burning low.

And lower still.

And clementines to wash down chocolate gelt won in rousing games of dreidel. Look! You've won! The dreidel landed on gimel.

Long after the visions of glimmering lights and sounds of resplendent carols have faded, the Scents of the Season will be with me. Sputtering wicks and the savory aroma of frying onions and potatoes will whisk me back to this light and love-filled season.

Thank you, Michelle, for the opportunity to share. I haven't had a chance to journal all of this, but the memory is here waiting. Now please go to the latest GPP Street Team Crusade. More Scents of the Season await.

Joy

2008-12-25T13:00:00.000-05:00

"The times when each one of us becomes aware that we are awake and alive, that we are no longer dreaming but that this is real Life — we are in these moments experiencing the Other Consciousness, the Power we call God. This Consciousness is unblinking and constant, welcoming, familiar, full of acceptance and hope.

"It was in moments of awareness of this Consciousness that Abraham heard God’s voice, that Moses encountered a tree lit by a Fire that did not consume, where Buddha Gotama stood his ground until the Truth revealed Itself, and where Jesus Christ walked with the Father as His One True Living Metaphor. Christians celebrate the conception and birth of this Consciousness at Christmas, and it’s victory over darkness and death on Easter Sunday morning. All religions, in fact, celebrate this on their high holy days.

"And one day we will all wake up and realize that the sorrows and sufferings of this world are over and the fearful dragon that threatened to devour us in endless trauma has evaporated like a nightmare does in the sound and light of a new day. We will then find each other and all hold hands and laugh and sing."

-- Charles F. Tekula Jr.

The Man in the Suit: Dec. views

2008-12-24T13:05:00.001-05:00

Tonight is the night!

My dears, I know you will be waiting for Santa tonight.

Don't worry a bit about the rain making our snow soft and mushy. He will come.

I have made Snickerdoodles for you to leave out for Santa. A Christmas present from your Jewish auntie. You will remember to include a glass of milk and carrots for the reindeer, won't you?

The reindeer get hungry flying all over the world. You can check here to see Santa's progress. Say, is that Rudolph?

Look! I see Santa's footprints.

Yes, I think he's near. You know that Frosty returns with him each year.

There he is! It looks like he's checking his list and trying to figure out where to go next.

He's coming! Quick! Off to bed!

Merry Christmas to all my Santas, big and small, who have gifted me in so many wonderful ways all year. May your Christmas be merry and bright.

Light the Lights: Dec. view

2008-12-23T11:25:00.009-05:00

A bit of the white stuff fell softly this weekend as we ushered in the Winter Solstice and Chanukah.

On Sunday we lit the first candle of Chanukah and will light an additional candle each night. Eight glorious nights of illumination as the days begin to grow.

Eight days but nine candles. The ninth is the shamas, the helper that kindles the others and allows them to shine. A lovely metaphor, don't you think?

If I have been your shamas this year in some small way, I thank you for the privilege. And to all of you in Bloglandia who have been my shamas, and there have been many of you, my heartfelt thanks.

More to Sea: Dec. views

2008-12-18T11:13:00.009-05:00

The morning I drove to the seawall to take my beach photos.

I couldn't resist photographing the surroundings. This is Skateland, once a mecca for teeny boppers.

A relic of a different time.

Blind to the beauty outside its door.

Wild surf being held in check.

But just barely.

I decided to treat myself to breakfast with a view, hoping the formidable armor on the exterior wasn't a barrier against a hot breakfast.

The classic Mom-and-Pop diner, named for Mary and Nick and still run by their family.

The interior is like a movie set dressed by childhood memories. The waitresses make conversation. The perfect place for a sun-drenched, seaside breakfast.

"Oh, look," said my waitress placing my pate on the table. "Your toast looks like a heart. Maybe it means you're about to find love."

From Sea to Shining Sea: Dec. view 2

2008-12-15T14:19:00.021-05:00

If you drew a diagonal line across the USA, from New England to Southern California, you would see how far it is from the Commuter's Journal station to the Land of Lost Luggage.

And yet, we both have beaches on our doorsteps. Well, a 15-minute ride from our doorsteps, but for those of you in land-locked areas, that's pretty darn close, no?

I love my wild, New England beaches. So Byron-esque with their thrashing waves, sense of danger and cold, blue gaze.

Inhabited by the ghosts of summers past and those crazy seagulls, still hoping for a stray french fry or errant blue crab.

A bit confused why neither shows up in the middle of the street.

And oblivious to the seawall, as it resolutely holds back the churning water.

Well, maybe not all that oblivious. I look forward to summer, when the seawall is transformed into a balance beam for small, sandy feet.

One icy New England beach full of treasure. In nature, in art and in transcontinental friendships made possible by the Internet and Web logs and in the amazing happenstance that we can watch the surf roll in on the same day on opposite sides of the same country.

Thank you, Julie, for agreeing to share our beaches. Please go to the Land of Lost Luggage and see what a California beach looks like in December. Imagine, you can fly from Connecticut to California in less than a minute. Even Santa would be jealous.

Edit: Show us your beach! Click on the link to Julie in Luggage Land and send her your link to the photos of your own beach. Let's keep the cross-country tour going!