Grouchy Old Lady

Yes, I admit it, I have become that grumpy old lady. Hummph. I don't care. In my defense, I offer the following points:

1. If you say "Trick or Treat" in a baritone voice, you should not be trick or treating.
2. If you had to shave before you put your costume on, you should not be trick or treating.
3. If you have your drivers license, you should not be trick or treating.
4. If you are an average of 8" taller than I am, you should get a job and buy your own goddamned candy.
5. If my lights are out and I don't answer the door, go home already and let me eat the leftover treats in peace. Big dumb boobs.
   
   Ahh, that feels better. To refresh you after that rantlette, here are some new marble pictures. First plunged floral marble:
   
   

And another vortex. I CAN'T get these to look as cool in my photos as they really are, such a cool optical illusion of depth.

Blessed Samhain and All Souls Eve, Happy Dia de los Muertos tomorrow! I think the souls of all our loved ones gather close on these short days and long nights, to protect us with their love, and to be reminded that they are not forgotten.

Huh?

I am a little brain challenged today, so here is a picture of an Egyptian faience critter. Craptacular photo taken by me, in great stealth, at the Ashmolean Museum in Bath, 2005.
Don't you just want to feel it? I do.

Where I Want To Go To School

I mean really, who wouldn't want to go here!

Valentine and the Toy Tiger

"Why hello, darling, I have not seen you here before. Can I perhaps buy you a Catnip Cocktail??"
"How about if I nibble slightly on your tail?"

" Or whisper a naughty something in your ear?"

"Can't even get a purr out of him, I am really not accustomed to being ignored this way, Hmmmph!"

* No toy tigers were harmed during the making of this documentary*

Phasmid

"Bird poop"is what I thought as I went to move a chair on the deck...but I took a closer look ...

Not a rare moth but the first time I've ever seen one, that I"m aware of, for it's such a clever disguise that I could have overlooked many over the years. It's Wood Nymph moth, or Pearly Wood Nymph (thanks to Bug Guide). The little woolly legs were quite endearing, like little mothy legwarmers. What amazing camouflage!

There's a lesson here, perhaps, all too often human stuff actually is poop, disguised as something pretty.

I amazes me that most moths and many butterflies are fine with being examined, if I move slowly, they are quite content. Fortunately I don't have any desire to examine bees, or wasps, or spiders...

Renaissance

Tired but hopeful, I won't attempt a detailed update, I know you understand.

Last month I made these vessels, and I love how they turned out. There's something so tranquil and serene about them, especially the winged vessels. To me they symbolize that we can "rise above", that at any moment we can choose to lift ourselves up and look at things from another perspective. It sounds so easy but it's very, very difficult to put into practice. Perhaps wearing one of these will help! And remember you can always shout "Serenity now!"

I've been playing a bit with marble making in the last few days. I've been making miniature paperweights which are really just marbles minus the final step of breaking off the punty and firepolishing. They are quite fun to make though that final firepolishing always has the extra excitement of knowing that the marble can roll out of the marble mold and roll merrily around the table, onto my lap, or across the floor. No major disasters so far. There are "marble holding fingers" which would eliminate this excitement, but they're pricey for what is essentially a glorified pickle grabber!

Bubbly pokey marble:

Aquariums and a Voodoo Fossil marble:
Some flowers too:
I was blessed with a very pleasant birthday and was quite spoiled with surprises, including Japanese lessons! This wonderful package arrived from my friend Carol who always incorporates such whimsy and imagination into everything she does. Thank you Carol!


Inside was an amazing steel cat with purple stripes!
Thanksgiving was great too, though the turkey went into the oven late, and our crotchety oven is unpredictable to begin with. The table looked lovely and the food was yum!
It's truly fall, though there are still roses and dahlias blooming, the light and air and the texture of the days are changing into a moodier atmosphere. The veils between the worlds become thin at this time of year. Echoes of our pagan past.