Well Versed Literary Works 2014

Come join the fun... tomorrow...

Sibling Day

Every year since 1995, when my older sister, Sue invited her siblings to the St. Louis Baseball Cardinal's game, we've been doing "Sibling Day." We all had so much fun at the game, we decided we'd get together once a year,  just the four of us and spend the entire day together... and Sibling Day was born. I'm not sure where we're headed this year (as I write this ahead of time), but today's the day--our 20th Sibling Day!

One year we decided to wear matching t-shirts that said 'Sibling Day' and some indication of our birth order, and since that year, matching t-shirts have been worn. Last year, all black with white letters (THING 1, THING 2, THING 3, THING 4) drew the most attention from passerbys. (I drew the shirts below in different colors.)

If you'd like to hear about one specific Sibling Day, then be sure to come to the book launch and signing where you can check out the book, Not Your Mother's Book on Family (co-edited by my writing critique pal, Linda O'Connell). Details to come soon about the date and place!

As far as Sibling Day goes, we never know what's in store for us, but a good hearty laugh always seems to be part of the equation.

MEAN

I guess the English language has changed since 1946 when this thesaurus was published, or I’m really stupid. I never heard of this meaning for the word mean (as a verb: average; as a noun: medium, happy medium, average, balance, normal). But then I looked in The Synonym Finder, and there’s happy medium in there too!

And here I thought if you weren’t nice, you were mean. Or what I mean to say is if you’re not nice, you’re kind of a bully. Or they don’t have any means to go by in order to change.

food for thought: I don’t know why people are mean. I’m not sure what they have to gain by being so. But did you know that mean is a happy medium?

INEQUALITY

When you have dealt with inequality, you see things differently.

food for thought: “When people have to obey other people’s orders, equality is out of the question.”—Gilbert

EQUALITY

 

 

My girls are all about equality and to prove it, they had identical tattoos tattooed on their shoulders… and it looks pretty much like this:

food for thought: “All mankind are equalized by death.”—Hood

Happy Birthday Laurie and Memorial Day

Happy Birthday Laurie – an old grade school friend. I know she was really into volleyball (hence what’s on her cake), although I think she’s into most all sports. She was a really good basketball player when we were in grade school and she’s a huge Cardinal fan. Hope you have a great day.

To all of those who have gone before us, bless you.

DEGREE

I do not have a degree, but I don’t let that stop me from achieving whatever it is I desire… like writing or drawing.

food for thought: Do you have a degree?

QUANTITY

It’s helpful to measure the correct quantity of ingredients when baking.

food for thought: Do you have a favorite cookie?

DISAGREEMENT

 When I have a disagreement with someone, I like to be open to their opinions. I may learn something in the process.

food for thought: A round peg in a square hole, now that’s a disagreement.

AGREEMENT

I’m in agreement with my husband who thinks I can’t remember a lot of things. It was proven about a month ago when I was doing some cleaning and organizing. While looking for something, I found tickets to the St. Louis Symphony that I had purchased last August. A birthday gift for hubby to hear the songs of Frank Sinatra. I found them after the concert.

food for thought: “They agree like bells, they want nothing but hanging.”—Meriton

And the Winner is...

The winner of the book: A Lifetime of Making Art: Brother Mel is:

BOOKIE

YAY BOOKIE!

Well Versed 2014

Looking for something to do on Sunday, June 1st, then come to Columbia, MO where you will see my four writing critique friends, Beth, Linda, Sioux, and Tammy and yours truly, me. See the flyer below for all the details.

PROTOTYPE

Things that are copied are prototypes. Dur.

 

food for thought: I don’t want to copy anyone, but I’m glad there are masters out there for both writing and drawing or I’d be up a creek without a paddle.

Happy 40th Anniversary Bob & Carole!

Wow, 40 years married to the same person. Even if you add up all my marriages, I’m barely half that! Ha. So, congratulations Bob & Carole! 

You two are a sweet couple and I’m so glad to have known you for some of these 40 years of marriage. Bob & Carole both share a love for letterpress and I was privileged to spend a day at their house and set type, and print my own bookmark. Hope you two have as lovely of a day as you both are! And there are 40 hearts on your cake--one for each year!

Happy Birthday Genesis!

Genesis is my great niece. My nephew, Jason’s daughter. Jason is also my Godchild. Genesis is sweet and kind and absolutely gorgeous. She loves shoes just like her grandma (my sister). Happy Birthday, Genesis!

COPY

I had to get out my copy of The Synonym Finder book (1978) by J.I. Rodale Rodale Press, Inc.,

 because as I was reading this old thesaurus, and in the different meanings for copy there was: revise, revision, rewrite, rewriting, rescript and I was thinking because that had to do with printing.

-->

In The Synonym Finder for copy: imitation, reproduction, replica, ectype, transcript, apograph, replication, duplication; duplicate, carbon, facsimile, carbon copy… reproduce, duplicate, replicate, transcribe, rewrite, plagiarize.

  food for thought: Is there anyone you want to copy?

NONIMITATION

All my drawings are nonimitations.

-->

food for thought: “The merit of originality is not novelty; it is sincerity.”—Carlyle

IMITATION

-->

I used to do a pretty good imitation of myself until I finally realized that I wasn’t really being myself, so I quit.

food for thought: “Men often applaud an imitation, and hiss the real thing.”—Aesop

 Those hands applauding, are for those not being an imitation!

WIN: A Lifetime of Marking Art: Brother Mel

As you know, if you’re following this blog, I’ve been into sketching. First thanks to Adam Long who I initially took beginning drawing lessons from with my grade school best friend, Susan (niece of Brother Mel) And for true inspiration to Brother Brian, when I attended his Ring in Spring workshop. I’ve been obsessed since. (It got me to exercise, because I won’t allow myself to draw until I exercise. Did I ever tell you that I hate to exercise?)

Brother Mel passed away about six months ago, but he was Brother Brian’s mentor where they both created art at Marianst Gallery. Sadly, the gallery is closing in a few months, so you may want to check it out, if for no other reason than to see the beautiful artwork—most is for sale.

Luckily, the book was published before Brother Mel passed away. There are signed copies for sale at the gallery, but Brother Brian generously gave me some unsigned books to pass on to those who would appreciate the book. If you have an interest, leave a comment or just your name so you can be entered in the drawing for this book. Check back in a week for the winner.

I grew up around Brother Mel’s artwork, not fully understanding his artistic talent nor did I really know anything about art, period. Where Susan grew up, there were walls full of Mel’s art. I’ve always admired it all. My favorite as a kid was this huge concrete piece that was almost floor to ceiling big, with huge sunflowers on it. At least that’s how I remembered it.

When I rented Susan’s house after my second divorce, it was the same house that Brother Mel grew up in. There was a sculpture in the yard that he had done for his mother—a rooster/hen. The base/body of the rooster was a huge, heavy industrial spring and it’d sway back and forth with a little push, making it look like the rooster was pecking for food on the ground. That too, was a favorite of mine.

When I rented another house from another niece of Mel’s, as she was moving all her things out, she asked, “Do you want this?” It was a piece of artwork Mel created.

“What? Are you kidding?”

“No. You can have it if you want it."

“Yes, I’d love it.” That was a no brainer. I had always wanted a piece of Mel’s art, but didn't feel I could ask for any. I didn’t know you could purchase his work. Dur. Being a Brother, I thought he just created everything for the Marianist’s or his family. Remember, I didn’t know much about the art world.

-->

Paper sculpture, looks much better than photo

I have other pieces now that I’ve purchased, or received as a gift.

 Metal sculpture, guitar

 Metal sculpture, mask

 Metal sculpture, Susan gave me for my 50^th birthday.

I’m sorry I didn’t understand what greatness I was around at that time. Mel was so incredibly humble, I always felt I was with someone ordinary. I don’t mean that as an insult—quite the opposite. He loved what he was doing and he made the world a brighter and better place, just like Brother Brian is doing in his footsteps, only with his own unique artistic quality.

Don’t forget, leave your name if you’re interested in Brother Mel’s book.

DISSIMILARITY

The dissimilarity between my little sister and myself—now—would be our hair… maybe. Perhaps if I didn’t dye mine, they would be similar.

food for thought: Do you admit that you dye your hair?

P.S. It’s been over a month since I began using the thesaurus to learn new words and to draw something pertaining to the words… check out the blog where I first started this.

Happy Mother's Day!

To all - You deserve this day, so relax and enjoy.

food for thought: What’s the nicest thing done for you as a mother?

Listen To Your Mother Event

Hopefully you saw my post on May 6 and you ordered your tickets to the show, Listen ToYour Mother, where my friend, Sioux will be performing. If so, I’ll see you there – that is if you’re going to the AM show.

food for thought: Do you listen to your mother?

SIMILARITY

The similarity between my little sister and myself—when we were younger—people thought we were twins.

food for thought: “Birds of a feather flock together.”—Anon.

Happy Anniversary Ruth & Bud

I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I think this is Ruth and Bud’s 15^th Anniversary. It was about 17 years ago that my best friend (Bud’s sister) and myself (Ruth’s sister) played match-maker and thought those two might make a compatible couple. They had gone to grade school together, so it wasn’t like they were complete strangers to one another. Ruth had lost her husband to cancer, while Bud was divorced. They both seemed to be in a place where companionship would do them good. And our match-making proved correct. My best friend and I both have the same nephew – compliments of Ruth and Bud!

Hope you guys have a great day!

food for thought: Have you ever played match-maker? Did it work?

UNIFORMITY/NONUNIFORMITY

Do you think uniformity is a good thing or a bad thing? Guess it depends on what you’re doing, eh? Uniformity is like clockwork precision.

-->

food for thought: “Consistence, thou art a jewel.”—Anon.

Happy 40th Obermoeller Inc.

My husband has been running his business, Obermoeller, Inc. for the past 40 years as of today! I would say that’s some accomplishment. Back when he first started his business, you’d create graphic design the old cut paste way on a drafting board, with an exacto knife. Younger generations probably have no idea what that is, much like not knowing what a rotary phone is. Times have changed and so did Obermoeller. Now things are computer generated and while most people can throw together a brochure or an ad or whatever… it helps to have an eye for design and to know what you’re doing. Obermoeller does – check them out if you get a chance.

Happy 40^th!!!

food for thought: What kinds of things have you done for 40 years?

Listen To Your Mother

-->

Have you ordered your ticket to Listen To Your Mother? Even if you didn’t know anyone performing, I think you’d still enjoy the show. My friend, Sioux will be performing. There’s two shows, one in the AM and one in the afternoon – check out the site and if there are any seats left, buy your ticket. I’m going to the morning show and maybe I’ll see you there!

Shake a leg, Sioux!

food for thought: Could you get on stage and read your story?

DIFFERENCE

The difference between an artist who is mediocre and who is great is in the amount one practices. Right now I’m mediocre (at best), but I have lots of practice to do. I may never be great, but I will get better. And that’s okay.

food for thought: “It is difference of opinion that makes horse races.”—Twain