FUN STUFF.....

Sunday, August 2, 2015

FUN STUFF.....

….Well, I guess Sunday at Amy’s was just too wondrous and I remained on cloud 9 Monday confusing the date of the ‘Poet’s on Site’ event at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden. Google this registered historical landmark.

The Norton Simon Museum is just a few minutes away so I decided to do a pop in. The garden area is so beautiful and the Lilly Pond along with this tree looks like a painting!

I decided to have a relaxed lunch and study up on Japan for my trip in November.

If you haven’t been to the museum recently I really do suggest it for a soul satisfying treat. Here’s van Gogh’s ‘Portrait of a Peasant’. As vivid as the day it was painted!

A trip to the museum would not be complete without a stop at Degas charming ‘Little Dancer’.

Coming home there was excitement on the hill. This was the longest hook and ladder I’ve ever seen and I don’t know how it made it up the hill. All is well and quiet.

Time for Kita’s annual visit to the vet…..

We love Dr. Aberman even as she was aghast at how FAT Kita is. She’s now on a very restricted diet (Kita that is) but honestly….it’s everyone giving her those treats!

I just have to show you my little bed again….I’m sooooo happy!

Another recipe from the Green Chef….yummy beef dish!

I’m not sure exactly what Trudy and Kita have goin’ on but it could be love!

Thanks to Laurie Pie I got this fantastic face cleanser. It’s so mild and you don’t need any other product. Love it!

Eeeeee gads, it’s Wednesday and another delivery from the Green Chef. It’s getting hard to keep up with them.

I’m so happy the flowers from Amy lasted thru the week….. living in a garden of love!

Did you happen to noticed the clouds this week? I photographed these while in the car driving home…..

Shaving cream or whipped cream???

Fun with Lisa C. who discovered Mickey Mouse in her blueberries!

Doesn’t Vicki plate the Green Chef meals beautifully?

I think this is a BEAUTIFUL photo! Heirloom Tomatoes from Lisa and Olive Oil from Miss Judith!

More beautiful clouds….these look like snow….

The fountain still isn’t fixed….oh Jimmy!!!

Needs no explanation….

Miss Judith and Eileen sent Amy the most creative, lovely thank you….

Awwwwww………….

And the moon this week….oh my!

Sorry….love these clouds!

More excitement….this time up the hill…police and fire and no clue…...

Oh well, have a fig from Amy’s tree…..

Fridays and Saturdays Nikka and I try to make up for a weeks work. Lunch has to be substantial. These over easy eggs with tomatoes, fresh basil and Parmesan cheese were sooooo good!

Does anyone else find this funny? Las Vegas patrol cars parked in Glendale. Three of them. Did they get lost? Take a wrong turn???

May I interject?

The monthly Calligraphy class with Shantien ‘Tom’ Chow.

Nikka and I went to a book signing for Grand Master Don Baird’s newest Haiku book ‘Ink Zero’ at Don's 'American School of Martial Arts’ in Burbank. Bridget is just too cute!

Don demonstrates how he does his ‘Ink Studies’ based on yoga poses and Kung Fu moves.

I did not know that Don is an accomplished musician and composer and had been one of the top ten clarinetists in the country. Shown here with kind and lovely wife Maria.

Sweet Kathabela (Poets on Site) has the grandest collection of objects from all over the world that make cool and interesting sounds. Hubby Rick is a brainiack professor of mathematics at Caltech. He has a collection of flutes from around the world and they accompany this Haiku reading.

Yes!

I’m so excited to have ‘Ink Zero’ to add to my collection of Don Baird ‘Haiku’.One of his compositions….

One of his many awards…...

Driving back home I spied something going on ……a classic car event on San Fernando Road in Burbank….

You know for me it’s all about the dogs…..

I had to chase this one down.....

Priorities….Time for Ben & Jerry’s…..

Sooooooo good!

The Skechers store was right next to Ben & Jerry’s and Nikka said I should give them a try. Love them! Walking on air and left with Skechers on my feet!

But then we saw this gal….she said her contraption can go up to 11 miles an hour…..a little sticker shock at over $600.

Music everywhere….a great band that rocked out to 'Up Town Funk’ and this guy who had an audience of one really rocking’ it!

Oh my….Nikka and I walked and walked following the smell of Kettle Corn in the air. Eureka!

Freshly made and oh so good!…...

Guess…..

Dreaming of this awesomely delicious Kettle Corn and wishing you lots of yummy treats!

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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.