Beauty

This woman's writing is heartbreakingly beautiful.

we

I hugged a man the other day. I took him into my arms and hugged a man. I noted as I hugged him, how very physical it all was, how wide his shoulders were. Actually, quite the contrary, how wide his shoulders were not. I pulled him into me . It seemed I appraised his ribcage and what most likely resided within it. It was all rather curious. My nose was quickly at his neck. I felt his heat, his breath. A man. And yet I felt, this is only a man, not really very much. How fantastical it is that he is so small, but yet can do such large things! And here he is in my arms. I thought, I could hurt him. And I could have, but the thought only occurred in correlation with the thought, be careful, he is delicate, not to actually do the man any harm. We were startlingly made of the same stuff. I wondered how big or small I seemed to him?

***

This morning my son found me in the bathroom after my bath. He wanted to correct me. He said, "Mom, in that shooting in the States, seven were shot, not six." And he told me that a nine year old stepped in front of a five year old to take a bullet. My son is eight. He will be nine soon. I corrected him and said, "Actually, six were killed and ten more injured. I don't know about a five year old involved at all." He said, "Oh." Then he asked why. I told him it seemed someone was upset because a politician's ideas were different than his own. He said, "Really, they were killed over ideas?" and then he asked, "Where?" I said with leaden gravity, "It happened in a parking lot, son." He was very still for a very long time.

***

This evening we sat on the couch and watched Roberto Benigni in Life is Beautiful. We laughed a lot. It was getting late. Benigni is very comedic. My son liked it very much. I paused the movie though when Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi went into the greenhouse. I thought perhaps the movie was going to show them making love. This only seems ludicrous to me now while writing this, to explain a graphic shooting in a parking lot in the a.m. but to not allow my children to see two people making love in the p.m. I tucked my children into bed. I kissed them. I didn't know, but the movie was to take a turn after that, leaving most of the comedics, just as life turns for people with different ideas. In the movie all sorts of people die. Well, only Jews, but a vast variety of Jews.

***

I am tired. I go to bed. I pull my pants down. I pull my sweater off. I am surprised to see that under my clothing I am only shoulders and flesh and a ribcage. How do I explain to my son the idea of us and them? There is no us and them! There never was. There is only we.

(Via the tiny leaf)

Yikes!

My greatest reupholstering fears realized....with a happy ending though of course :) I hope my project is equal parts successful with perhaps a pinch less difficulty and nightmarish fabric beneath the seemingly mild mannered exterior.

http://thecutcloth.blogspot.com

Another woman's trash

I am so thrilled! I finally found my project chair! I was browsing through Craigslist the other day and there it was....a perfect little Queen Anne chair that might not even need to be reupholstered. The bf was kind enough to pick it up for me today so, depending on if he can fit it in the backseat of his Civic, tonight it will be all mine :) I have an idea of what I want the end result to look like but have been doing a bit of browsing on-line for additional information. Like most/all human, breathing females I am OBSESSED with Anthropologie (though I can hardly afford to buy much more than a tea light there). Apparently, they have a furniture line...who knew! After much ogling, oohing, and aahhhing, I stumbled upon this little beauty that will now serve as my inspiration piece for my chair. We shall see how it goes....

Anthropologie Conservatory Chair

Because it's ART!

Can I have these in my front yard please???? But irises....


(Via Cup of Joe)

Dream job

Happy Monday-ish!

Today is my first day back to work after a relaxing 3 day weekend and I must admit it's mildly painful. I shouldn't complain though....I have a good paying, stable, and fairly low stress job. However, sitting in a cubical all day doesn't bode well to keeping the creative juices flowing. Working for the State wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I graduated with a degree in Art History. But I refuse to let my lack luster job get me down and plan on taking full advantage of all creative opportunities that come my way. I'm dying to get my hands on a rickety old chair with nice lines and peeling paint I can redo! Stay tuned...

Below are pics from my best friends bridal shower (aka. creative outlet this last Spring)! I don't know if I had more fun planning and making DIY decorations or sipping sangria with 20 of my favorite ladies :)

I haunted the local hospice thrift store and Goodwill for funky bottles and vases. I was able to pick up most for less than $.50 each. Aren't peonies delightful!?

Homemade ice cream sandwiches....mmmmmm

I took a hint from Martha Stewart and made pom poms at varying heights to add whimsy. I also scattered different sized cake and pastry plates to add height to the table. Instead of renting expensive china I headed over to the local Party City and picked up these awesome faux china plates and plastic cutlery that looked silverware! Really saved time doing dishes :)

Silence....and the lamb

Is there anything more awkward than eating dinner mid fight? B and I had a little spat the other night right before we sat down for dinner and I must say it was one of the more painful moments in our relationship thus far. I couldn't even tell you what the tiff was about now it was so silly but staring down at my plate, the fork, the butter, anything to avoid eye contact wth B was less than enjoyable. I don't know what was worse, silent dinner or angry dish washing haha. What are some of your more awkward fight moments?

Btw...how cool is this chandelier?!