Mother's Mottos

For years I have collected Mother's Mottos and have so many covering my dining room wall that I've run out of space.  These vintage prints were produced in the 1920's, with verses written in homage to not only mothers, but fathers, siblings and friends as well.  I came across my first motto in an antique shop about 10 years ago and fell in love not only with the sweet sentiments, but the vibrant colors and graphics as well.  I will be giving my own mother one of these prints for Mother's Day, and a few I listed for sale this afternoon.  Some, though, I cannot part with.  There are three in my collection that are not "prints", but are reverse painting on glass.  They're very old and very dear to me.  With Mother's Day coming up, I thought some of you would enjoy seeing part of my collection.  For more pictures, feel free to look at my Ebay listings :)

4:15:42 PM     comment []

Rumi

Ghazal (Ode) 809 - Gifts from the keeper of the hot baths

Steam fills the bath and frozen figures on the wall
open their eyes, wet and round, Narcissus eyes
that see enormous distances.  And new ears
that love the details of any story.  The figures dance like friends
diving into red wine, coming up and diving again.

Steam spills into the courtyard.  It's the noise
of resurrection.  They move from one corner
laughing across to the opposite corner.  No one notices
how the steam opens the rose of each mind,
fills every beggar's cup solid with coins.
Hold out a basket.  It fills up so well
that emptiness becomes what you want.

The judge and the accused forget the sentencing.
Someone stands up to speak, and the wood of the table becomes holy.
The tavern in that second is actually "made" of wine.
The dead drink it in.

Then the steam evaporates.
The figures sink back into the wall, eyes blank, ears just lines.
Now it's happening again, outside.
The garden fills with bird and leaf sounds.

We stand in the wake of this chattering and grow airy.
How can anyone say what happens, even if each of us
dips a pen a hundred million times into ink?

11:42:02 AM     comment []

Jinxed

Today is officially "sickday", and I called the office about an hour ago to tell them I would not be in.   Be careful what you wish for....

A day or two after expressing my desire to take some time off, I began to have symptoms reappear from two herniated discs in my neck.  Pain down both arms and also my hands, making it difficult to pick up even the coffee pot.  It's not unbearable, but definitely uncomfortable.  I know the symptoms are only temporary, as they have been over the past couple of years - coming and going without warning, but making everyday tasks more and more difficult.  I told Scott this morning that it's probably time to get out the old traction bar and weight, and I'll most likely spend some time over the next few days trying to stretch out the pain while rigged up to that god-awful contraption.  It's really not as bad as it sounds - just a little thingy that hangs over a door with a chin strap and weight that lifts my neck up and allows some breathing room between the discs that are all scrunched together.  I do, however, look quite ridiculous in that position ;)  Anything, though, to avoid having to call the doctor.  Bleh.  So, I'll hang out here at home, maybe list some Ebay items and take it easy all day. 

I had great success with the things I sold over the last couple of weeks, and some items brought a little more than I'd expected.  I even made one sale to a lady in the UK (the Radford wallpocket).  Two items didn't sell, but they were relists and I didn't have much hope for them anyway.  I have to order Carrie's wedding invitations soon, and I'm hoping to sell enough to cover that expense this time around. 

Time for more coffee, and there are clothes in the dryer calling my name.  Have a great Monday, and if you know a good physical therapist who's willing to work for food, the front door's unlocked and there's leftover potroast on the stove ;)

9:07:02 AM     comment []