MOM&#39;S 102nd BIRTHDAY WAS THIS PAST WEEK....

Sunday, September 28, 2014

MOM'S 102nd BIRTHDAY WAS THIS PAST WEEK....

…..but before that special day there was a lot to do. Monday afternoon Jane Windsor-Marowitz came over to discuss next Sunday’s tea for Lisa See. Jane’s company, www.anyoneforteacatering.com will be handling the food and beverage department and sweet Amy www.menuahflowers.com is doing the flowers. We had a lot to co-ordinate! But first, a little something to snack on as we do have our priorities!

IMG 8401 Version 2

The next day dear Lisa came over so we could get caught up. It’s always a joy to see her but I confess I’m going to miss reading her inspiring art blog every week. You can find it on her website www.artbylisaphc.com by clicking on ‘Affirmative Blog’. She’s decided to pause for a while saying adieu on September 22nd and hopefully will re-group! Whoops, more snacking!

And it’s always a great day when Lizzie and I meet for lunch at Panera Bread ….mored snacking….and then a movie.

After Panera Bread we go to the Laemmle No Ho7 and this time saw….’This is Where I Leave You’ giving it a 5 Popcorn rating! We both loved it….you’ll laugh, you’ll cry….you’ll just enjoy this terrific ensemble cast and snappy dialog.

Now I confess, I’m not doing a great job of scheduling because after I left Lizzie I had to be at Providence Saint Joseph Hospital. Not exactly my favorite place but as they ask me to donate art every year I like to stop by for the artist’s reception they hold. Besides, there’s always good ‘snacking’.

Remember my blog about Ron Pekar….the artist who did the bronze of Traveler for USC? It was great fun to see him...

…..and many of you will find this work of mine quite familiar.

Please….no more photo’s!…..I must go snacking!

Marsha Ramos is probably the most amazing woman I know as she is continually on every committee, foundation, group….the Chair for the American Lung Assoc. in CA, on the CA Air Resources Board...anything and everything that helps people and all this in addition to running her huge company Geosystems, Inc., Geotechnical Engineering specialists.. saving the planet and taking care of her beautiful family. Artist Jamie Butterworth is to the left of Marsha and was going to share her talents as a jazz singer that evening.

Lot’s of other peeps but I did manage to drag myself away after a decent interval...

Finally….September 25th, mom’s 102nd birthday!!!

Nikka was so precious, getting mom the most amazing balloons, a birthday stack of cupcakes, flowers and candy….soooo sweet! We had ‘FaceTime’ and all sang Happy Birthday!

Well, I guess you know by now it’s either grilled cheese sandwiches or Gourmet 88 Chinese food for special occasions.

Chinese won out….

Sooooo good!

Where’s the cake!!!

From Vicki, Nikka & Emma.

Charles approved!

Kind hearted lovely Amy came by with one of her creations designed especially for mom!

We decided it was perfectly mom to a ’T’!

Another birthday on Saturday…this time it was Laurie Pie and she wanted…..wait for it...

PIE!

Kc made this delicious three berry tart. Raspberry liquer with current jelly glaze a marcapone center and pate sucre crust. Sooooo good!

Make a wish Laurie Pie…..

After all that fun and frivolity, Nikka & I worked in the office until 9 P.M. trying to solve the equipment problems…..we’re still working on it!

Here’s to a better week!!!

No comments:

Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.