Sitting beside the fire

I hope I never stop seeing a glowing, crackle-y fire in the fireplace as anything other than cozy and romantic. I should think the day that it becomes purely utilitarian to me would be a very sad day, indeed.

{So, it's not exactly a roaring fire. :) I had to use an old photo. My camera is still on a medical mission in Haiti.}

It's Artsy Girls Time!

Reposted from my daughter's blog: Nevertheless, Elizabeth

Please join me December 4th and 5th from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at my home.

Drop in any time to shop for charmingly displayed handmade and vintage goods from an ever-growing roster of artsy girls, {and this year: guys!} including:

Soldered charms, hand tied pearls and other jewelry by Debbi Greenlee

Beaded jewelry by Carli H

Various handmade goodies by Nancy J

Sculptural hair bows by Jill T

Refinished vintage furniture by Juls {Her Royal Highness}

Painted items by Nichole {The Painted Nursery}

Scarves, felt plushies and upcycled kids' clothes by Ellice D

Vintage inspired jewelry by Sandie D

Hair flowers and baby lovelies by April W {Maggie and Beatrice}

Vintage finds from Amy V {Beloved Bag Lady}

Gourmet fudge by Elizabeth G

Delicious cookies and confections by Tasha S and Laura F

Jewelry and handmade cards and stationery items from Tamberly H

Crocheted goodies by Renee G

Baby accessories by Melissa D {Prissy Lissy Designs}

Goat's milk soap by Shane and Catherine

Re-purposed vintage windows by Danielle B {A Vintage View}

Yoga mats and bags by Katelyn H {Yogadivas}

Felted animals, nativities and other baby goodies by Robin R

Handmade dolls and aprons (and matching aprons for the dolls!)Original artwork from Aaron V

Folk/pop art and vintage treasures from yours truly {BettyHarry}

and more..... yes, its an incomplete list, even at this length!

Truly, this will be a chance to find the unique and unexpected for yourself and the folks on your Christmas list.

bizalith@aol.com

Hand Born

Wow! That was crazy! I can't even begin to tell you what a great event Hand Born was last night!

These photos sort of represent my space. My camera has taken a trip out of the country . . . without me . . . :) I know!

In the meantime, foggy, blurry cell phone photos will have to do.
I hope you're having a wonderful weekend, too!

P.S. In case you're inclined to pray; it is my son who has taken my camera with him on a medical mission to Haiti. Thank you! From the bottom of my Momma heart!

Dr. Thomas Wing

{If you were hoping to reach Dr. Wing, feel free to email me, and I will forward your letter to his daughter (my mother-in-law) who very likely has the information that you need.} 

This following article appeared in the Modesto Bee today. I told you, way too recently that we have just lost my Father-in-law. Dr. Wing was his Father-in-law. Thank you Jeff Jardine, for such a kind notice of a brilliant and fascinating man.

CONDOLENCES — To the family of Dr. Tom Wing, an inventor who grew up in Modesto and attended Modesto High School and Modesto Junior College. He died Nov. 9 at 95 in Southern California.
Four years ago, I wrote about his exhibit at the McHenry Museum featuring a number of his inventions and gadgets. Among them was his "minimal energy stimulator," a physical therapy machine used by Olympic track star Carl Lewis, former L.A. Lakers star Magic Johnson and others.
He invented a pager, the technology of which Motorola later used for its own, and an emergency radio control network that spanned from the Mexican border to Santa Barbara. He donated it to the American Red Cross.
And he invented a vertical-lift wheelchair for his wife, Kay, who suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease and died in 2004. He continued to work on the chair until his own death.
Wing will be buried Monday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Covina Hills.


Jeff Jardine's column appears Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in Local News. He can be reached at jjardine@modbee.com. Read more: The Modesto Bee

Son of South Mountain & Dust By Thomas W. Wing & Carolyn Wing Greenlee

This is the autobiography of Thomas W. Wing, a herbologist and chiropractic doctor for nearly forty years while actively engaging in hobbies which brought about benefits for others. In the 1950s, he bent UHF waves around the mountain for emergency communications and pioneered the doctor beeper. In the new millennium, he is still inventing, still writing, still trying to help people live better lives.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pasadenastarnews/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-w-wing&pid=146707362

More:

http://pitiju.blogspot.com/2009/02/anti-aging-equipment.html

http://bodytique.blogspot.com/2008/06/awarded-winning-caci-international-non.html

Hand Born

It's official! I'll be here! By all means, stop by and check out the wares!

. . . and my space, too . . .

naturally!

Mr. Rosenblum's List

This is a post from my Goodreads Bookshelf.

Mr Rosenblum's List: Or Friendly Guidance for the Aspiring Englishman by Natasha Solomons

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


It has taken so much longer than it needed, to finish this book. It was a very painful ordeal, during which I gave up several times. I finally forced myself to finish so I would know that something good happened to this poor man. He was mistreated and abused by his family and the people in the newly adopted country where he and his family sought refuge from the persecution of German Jews. He was misunderstood and mistreated by his wife. His daughter was an overindulged, spoiled brat, who did come through eventually, naturally.

A solid 7/8ths of this book, if not more, is misery applied liberally on top of sadness and despair. I finally managed to finish by skipping large portions of meanness and abuse.

In the end {and by end, I mean the VERY end}, there was a little upswing, but talk about "too little too late"! The author found it necessary to finally break what seemed to be the indomitable spirit of the main character, Jack, before she tossed him a crumb. I think the attempt was to feel like real life, but in reality, it was just plain painful to read. I don't know how many nights I closed the book before it could get worse.

I think there is a premise here for the wonderful, cheerful, uplifting story that I was told to expect, but if you read it, don't go into it expecting anything less than a story of sadness and a poor miserably mistreated, sweet old man.

At the time of this writing, this book is not yet available for sale in the United States. I purchased it from an English Bookseller. I have heard a rumbling that it is to be made into a movie. Naturally. It will probably be an award winner.

{I am certain that the author is a very sweet and lovely person, and I don't want to pick on her . . . it's just that this book, for my taste, went a bit too far with the sadness and misery, and not far enough pulling it out of the downward spiral. I was mislead into reading it by a professional reviewer. It is she I think, who is responsible for leading me down the proverbial primrose path . . . and myself for following her.}

Wedding Rings

I lost my wedding band over a year ago. I took it off in the Summer. I set it beside the sink. I looked at it every single day. Fall came, and no ring. Couldn't find it anywhere. I searched the floorboards. I emptied the drawers. I looked every place that I might have put it. No ring. My biggest fear was that I might have thrown it away, unknowing . . .

Last night, the drawer front fell off one of the drawers. Just like that. No warning, no prior wigglie-ness, just suddenly it was hanging by a thread . . . It was very late, and I was tired. I thought I could save that project for the morning.

My sweet husband was home today, had all of his woodworking tools out for another repair job, so I quickly emptied the drawer, before I ran out the door for my class . . . speaking to him through the open window . . ."Oh, I really don't have time to do this! I'm gonna be late!" I turned back around, and just like in the movies, I spot a ring of gold on the bottom of the nearly empty drawer. It sparkled and glistened at me. I think it might even have smiled.

Me, shouting, "I found my wedding band!"

Him, "You're kidding!"

I put it on {in hind sight, I should have waited for him to do that}, ran down the stairs and outside to share my treasure with him . . .

. . . Are you ready? Here's where it gets good . . . Today is our anniversary! Our 35th. I know.

How good of God to give me back the symbol of our devotion on a landmark day like today.

Don't tell anyone . . .

. . . but I am enjoying the most unbelievably peaceful day! Thank.you.very.much!