Category Archives: Short stories

Sep30

Wednesday in the Bathroom!

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imagesOur household has always been one  with lots of unusual creatures, and I’m sure  in some way  that  kept the unfavorable neighbors away. Our menagerie has over the years included not just dogs of all kinds, but cats, skunks, rabbits, snakes, lizards, frogs, parrots, and yep you guessed it…..tarantulas!
Now I have to tell you that everyone has always gotten along, and the adventure still continues.

One night very late in the evening, before going to bed, I was making sure the house was locked up tight, and lights were shut off, when for some unknown reason I decided to flip on the light in the hall bathroom.  There wasn’t any real reason to do this, but this night…I did.

There sitting on the counter, perfectly still of course, was a rubber tarantula…or was it?  Getting down really close  in an effort to determine if it was real or a rubber replica, and knowing my kids even though grown are always playing pranks on all of us, I couldn’t be sure of what I was looking at.

I looked at the creature from the front, sides, back, and top.  Still nothing, it was such a good replica, I couldn’t tell, the kids really put one over on me this time!

Just as I was about to pick it up and do I don’t know what with it, I decided to check with my son who was living with us at the time.  Tip toeing to the other side of the hall, I knocked on his door waking him up.

“Chris,” I said,  ” I think Wednesday got out of her cage!”

Chris replied, “Oh mom, she right here!”

“I don’t think so, can you please check.”

After checking, Chris came flying out of his room to discover Wednesday  the escapee, had traveled through the bedroom, across to hall, into the bathroom,  up the side of the counter, and sat right in the middle of the vanity…..perfectly still.  She did all this without anyone seeing her, or realizing she was missing.  How could she go so far without one of the dogs not finding her, and wasn’t she lucky they hadn’t.  Wednesday was  a little escape artist!

Boy, was I happy I hadn’t picked her up thinking she was a toy.  Chris was happy I found her, and after securing her in her terrarium, we all went to bed contented,  knowing the creatures were where they belonged.

This was just another day in the life of a very busy family, with lots of interesting creatures!

Sep23

My Love for Buttons

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When I read a post by one of my WordPress friends,  “you hand-made me happy,” it triggered a memory of my grandmother who implanted in me a love for buttons, and fabric.  When I was eleven years old, my grandma started teaching me how to sew, and of course if you sew, you need buttons.  I quickly learned to adore fabric, and the buttons that went with it.

As time wore on, I not only made fabulous knockoffs from the high-end department stores for myself, I began making clothes for some of my mothers friends who had trouble finding clothes to fit.  I don’t ever remember getting paid for this service, but I’m sure I was.

Today I have a large stash of fabric, and I rarely sew, but every time I see a fabric I can’t live without, I must have it.   Not sewing any longer is in part due to my machine being an old Viking that I inherited from my mother after her passing, it has a short in it that apparently can’t be fixed,  and in part due to lack of really decent fabrics being available.  I’m sure there must be fabric shops that carry really nice fabrics, but I have yet to find one locally.

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Buttons….well what can I say about buttons.  I love putting them in my art, and on my clothes.  Not too far from where I live we have a high-end yarn shop that has a fairly good assortment of custom buttons, and most of them  are to die for.  Those buttons can range from a few dollars to over twenty dollars a button, and they are fabulous.  To be honest their yarn is so fabulous, I have gone in to look, and left with close to $100. in yarn.  Not skeins of yarn, small amounts of different specialty yarns to put into my art.

You guessed it…we artists are just a little crazy, off kilter, and unique!

True everyone has their own style, but I get my inspiration from the most unexpected places.  Am I off kilter…..you bet, and how can I complain about that when that’s exactly what makes me who I am.   My mind is always turning, thinking about creating something.   Maybe it could be a painting, a collage, assemblage, or a story.

How about you?  What triggers you to do things a little crazy, and unique?  Tell us, we’d all love to hear about it.

Thank you for taking time to read my post,  have a great day, and tell me about the things that you love!

Sep19

Starting Kindergarten

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Starting kindergarden

Starting kindergarten

My daughter-in-law wrote this, and I thought it so sweet.   I wanted to share her thoughts with you……  Nolan is now five, and starting kindergarten…..

OBSERVATIONS OF KINDERGARTEN after 2 weeks: Ok so first let me say that teachers are WAY, WAY underpaid…let’s just get that out-of-the-way first. They are basically taking over our children for the whole day and they actually are expected to teach them something.

It’s weird but I already have this sense of pride and allegiance to my school. I feel really proud to say my son attends Capri. I love the location, love the whole school logo thingy (surfboard, plumeria, etc.) and just the overall vibe of it. I can already picture myself decked out head to toe in “Spirit Wear”. I am doing the hat, the undies..all of it. I am proud, what can I say.

I also feel secretly smug that Nolan’s kindergarten teacher is the cutest, most vivacious lady. Nolan and I are both slightly afraid of her..which is how it should be. Mrs. Calvo is out there leading the songs, bouncing around…I look around and let myself feel a little sorry for the other poor moms who don’t have her as a teacher. I know we all feel that way about our teacher…but mine is totally justified.

Pick up and drop off definitely shows new moms vs. veteran moms. I am starting to notice that the moms with 2 and 3 kids get there ridiculously earlier at pick up. They have the best parking spots and a really good book to read while they wait. I am still in panic mode when I drive up because of the absolute mayhem of the whole thing but I am catching on to the seasoned moms and I am starting to look like I’ve been there all along.
I admire the moms with a baby strapped to the front, the back, in the stroller..holy crap! They are also the ones who bring healthy snacks and water in a recycle bottle. I find myself hiding Nolan’s apple juice spiked water and pirate booty when I see a mom with mixed nuts (really??) and celery sticks. We will get there but for now we will just eat the cookies and booty before or after school.

Nolan is doing great. He comes home with so much information and excitement. When asked what he did at school his response is always, “I don’t know” but I notice at night it is like a confessional and he tells me all kind of interesting things about school.
I am hopeful and happy. Dennis and I are excited to be a part of this engine called Capri. Still trying to figure out our place but we are all getting into the swing of it.

I love this honesty, and I feel even closer to her because of it.  As any mother knows, it isn’t easy…none of it is easy.  Maybe it isn’t suppose to be, and for sure it can be at times a difficult journey.  I think it rewarding, many do not.  I don’t think that is right or wrong….it just is!

Sep18

Thursdays Time out for Art

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Coffee in the Morning

Coffee in the Morning

Another masa painting on canvas.  This is a fun technique I learned from my friend Helen Shafer-Garcia.  It is perfect in its imperfection!

Thursdays Time out for Art has been inspired by Zebra Designs and Destinations.

Sep16

How is Bubbles?

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Bubbles cooling off

Bubbles cooling off

 Growing!

When Les and I went to dinner at our daughters home on Labor Day, I decided to check on Bubbles.  She was tucked away in her own little home in the shade.

The House of Bubbles

The House of Bubbles

As you can see, Bubbles is hiding just to the right of her feed dish.  Each time I tried to lure her out so I could take her picture, she would hop back so I couldn’t get the shot.  I think Bubbles was playing hide and seek with me!  Finally I just gave up, especially since Dusty was running around lose, and Bubbles couldn’t be let out.  Another picture for another time!

Thanks for hopping by to see how Bubbles  is doing, hop back soon!

Sep15

Sante Fe, New Mexico

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After a long train ride from Oceanside train station, to Sante Fe, New Mexico we are now here!  I can’t tell you how much fun it was talking to new people, and getting to know some very interesting characters!    This time the people were all over the map in terms of background,  looks, etc.  From a railroad man to drifter, Sante Fe great-grandmother artist, to strange hippy couple.    I was in seventh heaven, I love new people! I hope and pray I can remember the faces so I can sketch them.

Sante Fe weather is fabulous! While everyone at home in California is sizzling from heat, it is mild – warm with a little breeze, and jam-packed with creative energy. The clouds are unbelievable….they actually look like they are out of one of Cathy Carey’s  paintings!  OMGosh, I’m so excited to be here, & today starts the first day of our week-long workshop.

Last night all of the artists, and a couple of husbands, had a little cocktail party so we could get to know each other.  I must say there only four of us taking this class, and that makes for a really great week.  Everyone was so nice, and from such diverse art backgrounds.   I wish all of you could be here to experience this incredible place with us!

It’s 8am and we are heading out for a little breakfast before the 9am workshop starts.  Have a fabulous day, I know I will!

I love that you have stopped to read my blog, thank you.  I hope you enjoy….