What do we plant when we plant the tree? We plant the houses for you and me. We plant the rafters, the shingles, the floors, We plant the studding, the lath, the doors, The beams and siding, all parts that be; We plant the house when we plant the tree. by the American author, Henry Abbey […]
Leftovers – The Loaves and Fishes of Life
Using leftovers. I enjoy re-doing and re-making things. I always have. Taking what I have on hand and making something useful again: Whatever I might have in the pantry or frig becomes a one-time kind of meal. Pieces of cloth become a comforter, pillow or something for the wall. Scraps of wood become art, wooden […]
How To Skillfully Rescue Leftovers Madagascar Style
Skillfully Rescue Leftovers -“Don’t make excuses for not working – make things with the time, space, and materials you have, right now” – Austin Kleon – Steal like an artist I received a lesson in story writing and how to skillfully rescue leftovers in August 1993. I was assigned to a team of four to […]
How To Turn A TV Stand Into Cute Wooden Easels
Creativity is always a leap of faith. You’re faced with a blank page, a blank easel, or an empty stage. – Julia Cameron I enjoy my vision boards. I keep them simple using foam core boards from Dollar Tree. However, I grew tired of them sitting on the floor and falling over in the corner […]
Three Ways To Use DNA To Authenticate And Launch Your Story
DNA opens an even more mysterious door to understanding the human condition: all of our ancestors live within each one of us whether we are aware of it or not. ― Laurence Overmire, from: The One Idea That Saves The World: A Message of Hope in a Time of Crisis There is science that bears out the […]
Delightful Treasures Out Of Old And New
“Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” Matthew 13:52 (KJV) Blending the old and new into attractive functional spaces can be a challenge, but when done […]
Signs Of Life! A Stunning Surprise From The Compost Bin
Imperfection is in some sort essential to all that we know of life. It is the signs of life in a mortal body, that is to say, of a state of progress and change. Nothing that lives is, or can be rigidly perfect; part of it is decaying, part nascent. – John Ruskin Signs of […]
How To Repurpose Cute Knob And Tube Components
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” — Mary Lou Cook I re-purpose stuff. I primarily use materials left from rehabbing our 120+ year old houses. There are oodles of vintage wood many rehab-ers toss out as scrap, especially the raw stuff from the plaster walls: lath. I […]
Happy Awesome Birthday Mom – A Love Letter
“I know that despite whatever stupid thing I do, I’d be able to go to my mom and she’d still love me. I honestly believe that” ― Nellie Christine, RID I generally do not write about my mother, unless it is in reference to her family ancestors, the Rightmeiers. Writing about the connection I have with my dad […]