ART IS MY LIFE

I was just having a conversation with my artist friend the other day that was probably cliche. We were discussing how hard it is to make a living doing art. I know the whole 'starving artist' thing is sometimes overdone, but ideas become cliche because there is truth in them. If I wasn't teaching I would be making no money at all from my art. It is a sad reality, but true. My friend was saying that maybe she should just quit making art and focus on other things and I was shocked. I just couldn't do it. I love making art too much to quit. It is for me more than anything or anyone else. I don't care if I make money. It is part of me and to even think of quitting makes me sad.

Putting together the print exchange.

A different friend and colleague of mine put together a print exchange and asked me to be a part of it. I was so thrilled to be invited! It was a pretty amazing group of printmakers! We all made 35 prints and got one of each. I am so honored to own this collection of prints! I ended up helping him make the boxes and put it all together. It was quite the process!

The sintra cut of aspen trees I did for the print exchange.

A few months ago a woman in town asked me to paint a watercolor painting for her son that she could give him for Christmas. I accepted because I felt pressured, but panicked almost immediately! I hate commissions. Yes, they bring money, but it is so hard to paint something for someone when they've already got something else in mind. How can you ever know what they want? I procrastinated for at least a month before I made myself finally sit down and do it. I really don't mind how it turned out. I am actually kind of impressed with myself. Thank goodness it's done! 

Philadelphia Flat, watercolor by Kim Gordon

HISTORICAL EPHRAIM IS DISAPPEARING

Historical preservation is a controversial topic at our house. With my husband being a contractor he thinks old buildings should be torn down and rebuilt. It saves money, time and is more efficient (he's a HUGE fan of efficiency). I, on the other hand, am a big supporter of historical sites. I think our heritage should be preserved and saved. I am not opposed to upgrading old buildings, but to take them down is a travesty in my opinion. There is no way that those buildings will ever be able to be duplicated. I love the history in my town. My family goes back over 100 years here, my great-great grandfather was the first mayor of Ephraim, both my parents and their parents were raised here and I actually get nostalgic when I see photos of how the town used to look- if such a thing is even possible.

Tearing down the old bank.

 If the issue is debated hotly at my house, it is just as contentious in our community. I posted the above photo on Facebook yesterday with a comment about how sad it is to see this building go and got TONS of comments. Some were just as sad as I was, some that told me to 'get over it,' and some that said there was no way to save the building because the foundation was bad, etc... Everyone has definite views on the topic. I feel strongly that our local government has a responsibility to preserve historical sites. We are the worst town in the county at historical preservation and I think it's a shame!

The hay bales were put up to cushion and save the old house next to it.

The old house next to the demolition is one of the first houses in Ephraim. I am so glad they are at least saving that structure, but I have heard comments that they should even tear that down too and just rebuild it.

This is what the bank looked like before the demolition. 

About 10 years ago The Bank of Ephraim was brought down by an embezzler. They didn't catch it soon enough and the bank collapsed. It was a sad day. My grandpa was on the board of directors years ago.

The bank in its original glory.

Cache Valley Bank (the bank that owns the building now, is supposedly going to rebuild it the way it used to look. I am not sure what that means, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I'M A VOTER

This election has been a long time coming! I have had my mind made up forever and I am so sick of hearing about it I can't even begin to explain! I do think the Mia Love VS. Jim Mattheson ads are the ones I will be most grateful to see go, however. 

I'm a Voter!

GO ROMNEY!

EDITED MOVIES

There was an edited movie website that was going out of business and I ended up buying a few of my old favorites. I know that it is changing the 'artistic integrity' (trying not to scoff) of the movie, but so what? I LOVE the idea! Why should I have to listen to bad language or watch bloody gore if I don't want to?

Braveheart is a great old standby that I still love. The soundtrack is amazing too. I love the edited version because all the blood and guts are gone.

I love all the Terminator movies (well, I haven't seen #3). Time travel has always been fascinating to me. I got both 1 and 2.

Last of the Mohicans is one of my ALL TIME favorite movies! I am so happy that I own it, but I watched it last night and they edited out the kissing scene! SUCH a shame. It is one the best kissing scenes of all time! I'd forgotten how much I love the music too. I used to own the soundtrack on cassette once upon a time...

OUR LAST PINEWOOD DERBY

I am not a fan of the Pinewood Derby. I know, I'm a horrible person. I just hate how it turns into a thing for the Dads not the boys. I think they should put together the kits at den meeting and let the dads come and watch later. But, I'll get off my soapbox and tell you about our latest experience...

Little C had the fastest car last night! We were blown away because he used his car from last YEAR! Funny, huh?

Here he is with the winning car and the certificate. He was very happy. He'd never won before.

Here is Princess P (on the right), watching the action.

Here is Little C with both cars. The one on the left is the slowest car ever made and that is why he used his one from last year. He insisted on making his car this year into the Bugatti Veyron SS (fastest car in the world- at one point or another).

This is it. Here is a link to watch it in action. (I am not really a car person, but it is pretty exciting, and a beautiful car to boot).

This is the Big C/Little C pinewood derby version. Ironic, is it not, how it was the slowest car there last night. So Little C could claim he had the fastest car and the slowest car there. I'm just glad our days of Pinewood Drama are over.

STAYING INTERESTED

I love to read. I have since I was in about 8th grade and my mom gave me my first Regency romance novel. (Romance novels were just about romance back then, not sex). I was hooked and have been ever since.

But lately I have had a rough time finding something to read (besides my beloved romance novels) that can keep me intrigued. For example:

Another 'Paranormal Teen Romance' (I read somewhere that the name of this genre is redundant- ha ha ha). It just kept going on and on without anything 'happening.' I gave up.

I didn't make it far through this book at all. Too much perversion, sex and swearing. Yuck! I wish someone had warned me.

This book seemed pointless. A man and woman are engaged and he cheats on her. I couldn't get into it, so I confess, I read some reviews on GoodReads to see if it was worth finishing. It wasn't. It ends badly- very badly.

I guess I ask too much of a book. I want decency, but also intrigue. I want romance, but I don't want to have to read the sex. I want gritty, but not bad language. I want to go somewhere and get there quickly. I want to be entertained and escape, but not somewhere depressing. (I can go watch the news if I want depressing).

"The good ended happily, the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means."- Oscar Wilde

If anyone has any great recommendations, I'm all ears...

I BELIEVE

I have strong convictions about giving blood. I almost died 14 years ago and required 5 pints of someone else's blood to fix me. I felt a terrible sense of guilt at the time because I had never given blood before. I used to pass out just being in the same room with someone giving blood. I am a HUGE wimp when it comes to anything involving blood and/or gore, but that day I promised myself that I would give blood every chance I got.

I have kept that promise and give blood regularly, and I have had some very interesting experiences doing so. For some reason they have trouble finding my veins. Many times I have left the building with two holes in my arm, but I gave my pint! Other times they won't even take my blood because I don't have enough iron in my blood. And still others, I can't give because they never do get it right. And still, I go.

Today I had a new experience. The technician found my vein initially, but then the flow stopped. While he was jiggling the needle around in my arm (creating a fantastic bruise) air got in the tube, thus contaminating my offering and rendering it useless. Bummer. Gave the hole, the pain, the effort, the sacrifice- but without anything useful to show for it. Better luck next time...

I challenge you to give blood at the next opportunity. Eat and drink well that day and you won't regret it- even if the tech misses your vein. At least you'll know your intentions were good and you tried.