Christmas Wreath

My husband has harrassed me endlessly about my wreath. I don't think I am quiet done with it, but nevertheless, I love the shiny bright green with the red. Christmas is a great time of year to get as gaudy as I want :)

Excitement in the House

There was quite a bit of excitement in our home last night. Our friend Mike dropped off his golden retriever, Brody, to sleep over until Friday. Our pekingese, Potter, was not thrilled with this arrangement, feeling bunked from his newly acquired thrown. Potter has been protesting since Brody arrived, growling at him every chance he gets. Pete on the other hand is glad to have a dog in the house, besides Potter. I think Pete looks at Potter as a nuisances, or maybe he thinks he's a cat. I am not sure. He is a pekingese after all, so he somewhat resembles a persian. He definitely has the attitude of a cat. Its his house. David and I just visit to make sure his every whim is catered perfectly.

All in all, this should make for a very interesting week. Brody will survive, but I am not sure about Potter's ego.

New Year's Goals

I hate New Year's Resolutions. No one keeps them for over a few weeks. Last year I had a simple goal, not a resolution. My goal to work toward was to "move more". I thought "That's easy enough. No pressure". I completed a half marathon in April 2008 with several friends. That was definitely an accomplishment. The new goal for 09: To exercise in some form every day. I also decided to do a marathon. So the goal I suppose it will be Chicago or some other marathon in the fall of 2009. Wish me luck.

The Naked Artist

My neighbor Sandy had invited me to share a booth with her at the Po Boy Festival in New Orleans. Sandy in my mind is a true artist. She paints furniture with a folk art flare. People love it. I on the other hand love to paint, but have never attempted to sell it. Its a stress reliever I inherited from my grandmother or at least that is my theory. My Meemaw Cox never picked up a paint brush until she was over 50 and in her retirement she became a very accomplished artist. Although my work is completely different than her work, I can not help but wonder what she would think of it.... more pressing at the moment, what will others think of it?

I was a nervous wreck. What if no one bought a thing? What if I carried all that stuff down there and not one person thought it was worthy of purchase? As each shopper approached I sat with eager anticipation. I tried to explain to each one that my husband had hand forged the decorative iron hanger perched atop the painted wooden pieces. I wanted them to know the story of the crosses I had made. One was about 100 years old, the other about 150. The wood came from my husband's grandfather's barn built in the mid to late 1800's. The painted tins were actually roofing shingles, approximately 80-100 years old. They came from a shed that was torn down last year in the mountains of Tennessee.

Still I waited. What if I had done a horrible injustice putting paint on these antiques. What if no one really appreciates the old as much as I do.

What if I am rejected? This feels a bit like standing in a room naked.

The music blared. We were the first artist booth next to the band stand. I got the distinct impression that these people were not there to shop, but to drink and have a good time. It was a lazy Sunday afternoon with perfect weather. One by one they came and looked and left. My anticipation grew by the minute. Finally, a girl said, "This would make a perfect gift for my mother", as she requested a tin. Hallelujah! Then another and another. I did not leave rich, but I did leave with a sense of accomplishment. I really wished Meemaw was here. I am sure she felt this same way as she set her art at the park to sell. I remember sometimes she would sit it in her yard. She was essentric that way.

I hope to do another art show sometime soon. Maybe one day I will be as good as Meemaw.