Saturday, December 27, 2003

DVD Review: My House in Umbria - 3 stars My House in Umbria is a British/Italian film starring Maggie Smith. One thing I like about it is that I'm sure it will be memorable. We watched it last night, but this afternoon the characters are still vivid and alive to me. None of them are without flaw, yet all are lovable. I like this very much. This is a story about guilt and forgiveness. It's also a story about the power of a beautiful place to heal. I can still see the vinyards and flowers of Italy. I can see the patio where they ate under the wisteria. Very apropos for the Christmas season, ithis is also a story about the healing powers of a child. This film is well worth seeing. 3 stars 2:59:40 PM    comment []

New Snow Moon Hope you've noticed how beautiful the new Snow Moon has been the past two or three nights. Isn't that Venus close by? When a new moon first reaches that delicate sickle shape, in a clear starlit sky, it's one of the most poignant and beautiful sights I know. This comes about the third day after the official "new moon." I chose Snow Moon as the moon to follow the Cold Moon. Sometimes we do get snow here in north Georgia this time of year. We stay ready to be iced in without electricity, with a supply of drinking water, paper dishes, propane and kerosene heaters, etc. Every fall we check the Storm list to be sure we're ready. Several years ago, after icy pine trees fell on power lines all over the area, we decided to have pines cut that could fall on the buildings or vehicles. A logger came in to do it free in exchange for the wood. He made a tremendous mess and damaged some of the hardwood trees. Now I'd decide differently. I'd leave the pines. Plenty of hardwood trees have fallen before and after we had the pines cut. Our neighbors did the same thing so now we all see more of each other's houses and lights at night. Sound travels more so there's more noise pollution here. And the winter woods look much browner of course, without the beautiful green of the pines. We still have some pine trees, but many fewer than before. So if we move someday to a new wooded place, I'll know to leave the pines. This is only one of many things I've learned since buying this land. Someday I'll write more about what I'll do differently next time. 12:10:54 PM    comment []

Sprouts Here's the first batch of sprouts from the new sprouter from Park Seed Company. This is the sprouter I like best, of all that I've tried. It's good to use two or three to keep the sprouts coming along.  The sprouts on the left are broccoli. I've read in various sources that broccoli sprouts are about the healthiest sprouts you can eat. Of course you need to use untreated seed. I plan to get my next supply from Johnny's so they'll be organic. The sprouts on the right are my favorite, quick growing lentil sprouts. I let these get two days past their prime because of going away for Christmas. So I'll just clip them into smaller pieces. I like the crunchiness of lentil sprouts. The broccoli are surprisingly pungent, kind of like cress or radish sprouts. This is part of a renewed interest in processing food more at home instead of buying something quick and expensive. Recently I cleaned out a kitchen cabinet so I can actually reach the blender and crockpot. Now I can cook beans from scratch again, and make humous and other bean spreads. These activities will get me away from the computer and studio for a bit, cut living expenses, and provide healthier food (without additives.) This isn't a "starving artist" way of life. Rather, it's a rich, healthy, exhilarating "thrifty artist" way of life. It makes me smile - a good sign. 12:01:26 PM    comment []

Small Abstract Paintings  Last night I posted five 8x10" paintings on canvas on eBay. The one pictured here is called Healing Heart. These are end of year bargains with bids starting at $18, Buy It Now for $28. There won't be any more paintings till I finish the slides of the new bowls. Then I can get my painting space back. It's a good thing that I posted these. Already I'd started to forget details about how to post artwork on eBay. Just now I noticed that I'd forgotten to tell eBay the location of the small gallery photos that are supposed to show in the listing. I think I've fixed it, but it will take a while to tell. (Lesson: check listings!) Here's a link to a page with all five paintings. 10:15:57 AM    comment []